St. Augustine, Florida

Nestled in the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, Castle Warden stands as a striking example of Moorish Revival architecture and a monument to mystery. Built in 1887 as a winter retreat for William Gray Warden and his family, the castle has since lived many lives—private residence, hotel, and, since 1950, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium.

Beneath its colorful exhibits, however, lingers a chilling story of fire, tragedy, and paranormal events that still captivate visitors today. After 35 years as a family retreat, the Wardens abandoned the property in the 1920s when they moved south to Palm Beach. For nearly two decades, the castle sat vacant.

During the Great Depression, it became a refuge for the homeless. Locals began calling it the “Doom Castle” as rumors spread of deaths from illness, violence, and misfortune inside its walls. While law enforcement occasionally responded to incidents, many went undocumented, adding to the castle’s dark reputation.

The Castle Warden Hotel

In 1941, Norton Baskin—husband of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings—purchased the abandoned mansion for $18,000. With builder Leonard Fiddia, he invested another $65,000 in renovations. That October, the Castle Warden Hotel opened as a luxurious retreat.

For a short time, it thrived. But on April 23, 1944, tragedy struck.

A late-night blaze broke out on the third floor of the hotel. Though it was contained, two women lost their lives—Betty Norvelle Richeson and Ruth Hopkins Pickering.

The mystery deepened when both were found in bathtubs, wrapped in towels, with no burns. Though officials blamed smoke inhalation, unusual details fueled speculation. Betty may have been moved from another room before discovery, while Ruth ignored a nearby fire escape.

Whispers of a mysterious guest—known only as “Mr. X”—added to suspicions. Witnesses claimed he carried a large bundle through the hotel that night. Some believe the fire was set to conceal a crime, though no charges were ever filed.

The deaths remain unsolved.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium

Following the tragedy, Baskin sold the hotel in 1946. By 1950, the building was reborn as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium under Daniel Crawford Jr.. The transition fulfilled Robert Ripley’s own wish to see his collection housed there.

Today, thousands visit each year to explore its curiosities—and many leave with chilling stories of their own.

Hauntings at Castle Warden

Castle Warden has earned a reputation as one of St. Augustine’s most haunted locations. Paranormal investigators, including T.A.P.S. (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), claim at least 18 entities linger inside.

In the Circus Room, guests encounter “Lenny,” a boy with an adult’s voice, and sometimes “Sam” or “Michael.” Spirit boxes often pick up the name “Bob.” Heavy energy, sightings of a tall man in dark clothing, and even a spectral one-eared cat add to the Jungle Room’s mystery. Some suspect Betty Richeson died here before being moved. An elegant woman in beige glides silently across the floor of the Atrium, believed to be Ruth Pickering. Her penthouse still carries her presence. A ghost named “Steve” repeats his name, a gruff male voice warns “run” or “get out,” and shadowy figures roam the halls. Visitors also report footsteps and whispers near the gift shop.

A Legacy of Mystery

More than 80 years after the fire, the deaths of Betty Richeson and Ruth Pickering remain unsolved. Was it a tragic accident or foul play? The truth may never be known.

Today, the Castle Warden blends history, oddities, and ghostly legends. Whether visitors come for Ripley’s wonders or for the whispers of the past, they leave with a sense of mystery that lingers long after their visit.