Key West Cemetery
Founded in 1847 on high ground after an 1846 hurricane washed bodies out of the previous seaside burial ground, this 19-acre cemetery holds an estimated 100,000 interments and is famous for its wry epitaphs, including one reading 'I told you I was sick.' Locals say souls disturbed by the hurricane never found peace, and visitors report floating lights, shadowy figures moving between tombstones, and cold gusts on still nights. Among its real residents is Abraham Lincoln 'General' Sawyer, a roughly 40-inch sideshow performer whose final wish was to be buried in a full-size coffin; some claim to glimpse his small figure among the markers. The most talked-about spirit is the Bahamian Guardian, said to appear when visitors show disrespect at the graves. The cemetery is a fixture of Key West ghost tours and a popular self-guided stop in Old Town.
📍 701 Passover Ln, Key West, FL 33040, Key West, FL · Get directions