Key West Cemetery

After an 1847 hurricane scattered coffins from the original beachside burial ground across the streets, Key West moved its cemetery inland. The 19-acre site now holds roughly 100,000 burials, many in above-ground vaults because of the high water table.

The Key West Cemetery was established in 1847 after a severe hurricane disinterred bodies from the original beach burial ground and washed them across the island. Now spanning 19 acres with approximately 100,000 burials—more than the current living population of Key West—the cemetery is a paranormal hotspot. Spanish explorers originally called the island Cayo Hueso, meaning Bone Island, after finding human bones from warring native tribes. A Bahamian guardian spirit watches over the graves, whispering warnings to those who disturb resting places. An angry female protector becomes furious when visitors sit on tombstones or walk across graves—she appears threatening before vanishing into thin air. A ghost child plays games, luring visitors with her voice to ultimately find the grave of a twelve-year-old girl. Among notable burials is the owner of Hemingway's favorite bar and 260 sailors killed when the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898. The cemetery also holds the disturbing legacy of Count Carl Von Cosel, who stole Elena Milargo Hoyos's body from her grave. Key West is considered one of America's top ten most haunted cities due to its tragic history of shipwrecks, fires, hurricanes, and disease outbreaks.