Mayport Village
While writing my first two books on Florida’s ghosts and its historical background pertaining to paranormal activity and hauntings, I discovered the quaint Mayport Village. Founded in 1562, this ancient fishing spot for the Sunshine State’s seafaring had served as a seaport since at least the 16th century, though many historians feel it was used as a fishing village for centuries before that. Now a thoroughly modern fishing hamlet, Mayport also serves as the headquarters for The Marine Science Education Center, as well as the home of the Mayport Navel Base. This village should be on everyone’s agenda when visiting Florida’s northeastern parts, not only for its ‘ghostly’ locations, but also for its notoriety as a seafood-lover’s destination, for which it certainly lives up to its favorable reputation. Located just north east of Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach, and nestled between Fort George Island and Amelia Island, Mayport Village has a unique feeling of ancient and adventurous sea history that should not be missed.
The Timucuan Indians once lived and thrived here, as well as throughout most of this area for centuries, later to be settled by the French Huguenots in the mid 16th century, and finally utilized by English settlements. Because Mayport and Fort George Island sit at the mouth of the Saint John’s River, it also became the stalking grounds for many of histories notorious pirates, buccaneers and other opposing naval forces, right on up to the American Civil War. Indeed, Mayport’s history is actually quite intriguing, but it should also be known for its modern contributions to our country’s defenses, where the United States Naval Fleet Training Center has been training sailors since 1966. Taught everything from fire fighting and propulsion plant operations, to nuclear-biological-chemical warfare and undersea combat, these sailors will certainly be experts in their field when finished with their school. Mayport also houses the U.S. Coast Guard Recovery and Rescue Base, which is always ready to launch in a moment’s notice, though for many of Mayport’s residents and it’s tourist population, it’s the deep sea fishing boats and offshore casino cruses that offer a relaxing atmosphere to be the real attraction.
With all the history and events that have taken place here at Mayport Village over the many centuries, it stands to reason that there would be a definite spiritual residue left behind. A residue of all those tragic wars, the pirate attacks, the Indian battles and the conquest for land, leaving thousands upon thousands dead — Such makes for a good legend and a hearty ghost story or two.
The legend of John King and a ghost ship too
Mayport Village is certainly no stranger to horrible events or tragedy. Perhaps many of those who died here over the space of time may not have left this earth satisfied or content. Perhaps many of those unfortunate victims of war and sickness over the centuries still roam this little fishing hamlet, where as the sun goes down and the fog rolls in, so do the many spirits of this interesting little community. One such spirit is said to be that of John King, one of Mayport’s more colorful characters, as many of the older folks will recall. It is said that he had a kindly, youthful reputation, and loved telling ghost stories to the local children. Stories of haunted houses and graveyards and things that go bump in the night were his favorites to tell. He would relate stories of the sometimes playful; sometimes frightening ghosts and wandering spirits that roamed Florida of his day, and even those that resided in his very own home. Though Mr. King is no longer with us, he had managed to pass his delightful legends on to us, which continues to resonate on into the wee hours — Yet, there are seemingly far more ghosts haunting this little seafaring town than one might know.
The John King House
John King at the far right, circa 1935. Courtesy the Florida Memory Project
The John King House, built in 1881, is said to be one of the most haunted houses in Florida, probably because it is said to have more than one ghost residing there, and the fact that so many people have had experiences in and around the home over the years has given it a haunted reputation. One thing is for sure however; the location of the old house is built directly on top of an old Spanish burial ground, where the bodies were never recovered or relocated. Although John King lived in the house until his death in the 1970s, he apparently did not take the ghosts with him when he crossed over himself; in fact, he’s likely one of the many ghosts that checks in on this delightful landmark from time to time. There are paranormal echoes here, strange happenings that many of the locals are aware of, and because of such events being reported, many psychics have visited the old house to investigate. Many of these psychics have reported of the many vibrant and unique spirits inhabiting the home, though some are reported as being more frightening than others, these psychics have claimed that this location is without a doubt haunted. Moreover, the famous Rhine Institute of Duke University had visited the location for the purpose of its own psychic and paranormal research, allegedly stating that the King house did indeed have both the right atmosphere for the classic haunting, as well as there being a definite presence in the house.
Of the notable spirits within the King residence, and one of my personal favorites, is known as the ghostly butler. This petite man, who is said to wear a maroon-colored uniform, has been seen opening the front door for many unaware visitors. He is also said to politely direct the witnesses to the living room until the master of the house arrives. In John King’s storytelling heyday, there were several such occasions when these events actually took place, to the delight of the jovial storyteller. However, the “little butler” has never been faithfully identified as to who he could have been in life, though his costume is said to resemble those from the 1920s or 1930s. The little butler has been reported walking up and down the streets from time to time, and on rare occasions, as a car passes him, the driver will see the little man through the rear view mirror, sitting solemnly in the back seat of his car. Naturally the driver pulls off the road in an understandably fit of fright, only to find his back seat completely empty. Who was the little butler who seems to have been one of Mayport’s congenial gentlemen of a more civilized time?
Another legend is of the haunted rocking chair, which is said to rock by itself when you stare at it, but who was doing the rocking? John King believed he knew for sure. Apparently, as local legend tells us, a relative of Mr. King, one of his aunts to be exact, was brutally murdered by an angry lover while sitting in that old rocker. She was stabbed to death with a pitchfork! Naturally a disgruntled spirit should emerge from such a violent act, and indeed, this women’s tormented ghost is said to walk down the corridors and creep around the bedrooms in the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully, this spirit is said to be more of a prankster than that of a malevolent presence. By pulling the bed sheets off while you sleep, or opening and shutting doors right before your eyes or lights going on and off, it has an almost poltergeist-like foolishness to the behavior. Although the rocking chair ghost seems to perform harmless acts of almost child-like behavior, there is another spirit who resides in the kitchen, who is said to be the tragic result of an auto accident years ago just outside the front doors of the King house — A tormented, yet eager-to-please spirit.
Mayport’s Lady in White
This ghost, known throughout the town as the “lady in white,” is thought to be that of a woman who was killed in that auto accident so many years ago, whose confused spirit then wandered into the old King house shortly after her death. At first, only the sound of echoing cries were heard in or near the home, as John King himself claimed. In fact, he not only heard these sad laminations, he also observed this tormented spirit in his kitchen on several occasions. Apparently, this sad, yet gentle spirit is accustomed to continuing her chores in death, as she might had done in life, wishing perhaps to be that perfect, loving wife she never got to be. As a matter of fact, after careful research, it was discovered that this unfortunate woman, this lady in white, died on her wedding night. A woeful testament of love lost.
Although this spirit denotes a rather sad tale of love lost, she has apparently found a place to serve in the King house, as a ghostly maid and keeper of the kitchen. Several people over the years have claimed to have seen the lady in white over the kitchen stove, sweeping the dirt off the floor, or moving objects around throughout the house. The only negative aspect to this particular entity is that she is somewhat unpleasant to other females in “her” kitchen. She has been blamed for many minor mishaps when other “living” ladies would visit, or use the kitchen and has been known to spook others in the process of her ghostly shenanigans. Although the King house is a fine home, with a rather interesting cast of eccentric ghosts to say the least, I should also mention that there appears to be a phantom ship, or several phantom ships that cruse the waters around the jetties and inlets of Mayport Village and the surrounding area.
Tales of phantom ships and ghostly sailors
One of these phantom ships is said to resemble a clipper ship, complete with tattered sails snapping in the wind, and with no crew sighted on her deck. This ghostly hulk of a ship silently glides through rough waters as if looking for safe harbor. A second ship, which looks like an old style fishing vassal has been seen in these waters too, as well as most of the surrounding beaches, from Fernandina beach to Atlantic beach, always appearing to be in dire striates, and in need of assistance. Usually seen on foggy, moonless nights, or when storm winds begin to blow and the waters are high, when the sea mist makes it impossible to see, a select few might catch a glimpse of these nautical spectres. When the weather is just right, the dim beacons of this phantom vessel give alert to the locals that a fellow seaman is in danger, thus setting into motion a quick response from either the Coast Guard or even the U.S. Navy.
As late as 2000, the Navy was alerted of a vassal in possible distress and launched a rescue ship to their aid, only to find empty sea and no remains of a sinking ship. What makes this story even stranger is that these ships have been seen on radar blinking on and off in the same rhythm as the phantom ship’s blinking beacons, as if the ship itself was fading from this reality to another. In addition to this ghostly phenomena, one of the Navy’s own ships in Mayport have their own ghost story to tell. Indeed, the Navy’s ghost is known as “George.” Though completely harmless, he has frightened even the heartiest of sailors. George is said to walk the decks of the carrier USS Forrestal, and deep within the bowels of this massive ship. George has been heard walking up and down the lower levels, and seen walking through an area that was once used as the sickbay and morgue during the Vietnam conflict. He likes to open locked doors, which incidentally, Navy personal does not appreciate, as well as playing with the lights from time to time. On occasion, a phantom telephone call will sound in the dead of night, from a disconnected or non-functioning phone, originating from an unoccupied level of the ship.
U.S.S. Forrestal’s fiery tragedy
The sight of a sailor wearing a khaki uniform walking around is the most common experience, and when an investigation takes place, the sailors doing the investigation will find nothing outside of a cold, spooky room. Many of the sailors ask who George may have been in life, but unfortunately, that is a hard question to answer, as so many have died in the heat of combat. One popular guess is that George may have been a chief Petty Officer who was killed in a fire, which took place on deck in 1967, a fire which killed over 130 sailors. Some believe that he was one of the dead crew that was stored in these lower compartments, which was once used as a makeshift morgue after the accident. Either way, the U.S.S. Forrestal is haunted and the sailors know it.
Considerations
When visiting Mayport Village, try to remember how ancient this little hamlet truly is, and try to remember the extensive history that took place here. The countless ships lost at sea in and around the waters of Mayport, the countless lives lost during the growth of Florida. Try to remember that before it was the modern navy town it is today, it was once a home to unspeakable violence and war. Keep in mind when driving through the small streets of Mayport in the dead of night, when it’s foggy or raining, to keep an eye out for the little man dressed in the maroon uniform walking alone in the dark, or the sullen spectre of a waiting bride as she stands in an open doorway of the King House as you pass Ocean Street. Look toward the waters of the jetties or out on Ribault Bay for a phantom ship as it passes by within a thin veil of ghostly ether — Remember the haunted village in Mayport Florida.
*When visiting the Jacksonville area, be sure to visit these other, interesting locales for your paranormal and ghost hunting inquiries:
School No. 4: Jacksonville’s Most Haunted –
https://psiresearcher.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/school-no-4-jacksonville%e2%80%99s-most-haunted/
The Casa Marina Hotel’s Haunted Past –
https://psiresearcher.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/the-casa-marina-hotel%e2%80%99s-haunted-past/
The St. Augustine Lighthouse Maritime Ghosts and Seaside Spirits –
The Haunting of Fay’s House: A St. Augustine Ghost Story –
Historical photos and history resources:
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032399/eno_S0323R_R.html
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=7850.0
www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jacksonville.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-mar-historic-mayport-village
http://www.forrestalmemorial.com/id20.html
http://wn.com/Tonkin_Gulf_incident
http://article.wn.com/view/2012/05/07/Mystery_and_intrigue_in_Mayports_450year_history_5/
http://www.duvalschools.org/msec/
PSIresearcher 
I was born and raised in the Mayport Fishing Village. It is a horrible place for a child to grow up- ugly, hideous. I have had two experiences in King house, my brother told me I was dreaming it- but I don’t know (I was very young)– it’s possible those two experiences were practical jokes. I also saw something on “haunted hill”, and some weird stuff out my bedroom window at night. I lived there until 1980.
Hi Dawn,
Yes, I agree, Mayport is a strange place. When I was researching for my second book, I spent some time up in that area, and found many strange people, and beach combers, and what have you. The locals seem to have a split mind on the subject of ghosts there, and the ones that do, had some really interesting stories. The King House as the key spot for the most hauntings, as well as the ghost ship seen near the lighthouse. The ‘haunted hill” story was mentioned, but I never did get the whole story on that one. If you can, could you please update us on the legend? Is it near your home?
I’d really like to hear your story. Also, I once heard about an old witch that used to live in the area, in an old run-down house near the inlet…Have you heard about that one too?
Thanks for writing and hope to hear of your experiences.
And remember, as far as your ‘dream’ about the King House goes, and if it were real or not, I leave you with this quote:
….Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream?
Edgar Allan Poe, 1849
There’s not even water near the lighthouse so the haunted ship is a crock of ship! Lived there throughout my childhood and the most wonderful decent people in the world. The King house is a joke, I started more ghost stories there and will be happy to tell you all about it anytime.
Best childhood anyone could ever hope for…raised up in Mayport throughout my childhood. Wonderful close knit people who valued life and living to the upmost. A true life “Huckleberry Finn” childhood, played out to the very fullest.
I am 17 year old i live in Mayport FL my whole life it not a bad place to live and Mayport does have alot of stories that what i was told form family members and people.
Hi Heather,
Mayport is a nice place, and I like it too. I’m sure there’s lots of haunted palces there, so if you have any stories, we would love to hear them.
Take care,
Greg
Nothing haunted at all in Mayport…just a lonely old bachelor that told bullshit ghost stories. Live beside this house for years and nothing at all haunted about it.
I think that spirits are real,and sometime they still behind do unfinished business or because they die very violent
Never one violent story told about that house until the 1980’s. In the 1940’s and 50’s and 60’s a noise or two in the house but nothing violent. Once there was a donation pot put out when you visited the house, things changed. Now we have all the bullshit that people want to hear and believe.
That’s the joy of folklore…The reality is up to the believer, or to be discarded if not. Whether factual or complete bunk made to lure in tourists is the question. As for the reporting of folklore as it has been told over the years, then this story stands.
If for nothing else, it makes for a good ghosts tory to be told around a campfire; near an old lighthouse…Even if there’s no water near it. What the hell?
Some of the story as written is incorrect. The “lady is white” was actually a bride, killed on her wedding day but not outside the King House steps; she was killed in the curve going into Mayport, the same place where a motorcyclist disappeared until found buried along with his bike in the marsh. Even though his accident was after the bride’s accident, he can be seen carrying her out of the marsh and to the King House along the A1A road there, over and over. Locals have confirmed when he arrives, they seem to disappear then re-appear on the second floor balcony, although no one person has ever seen it happen more than once. Some say they float up but it appears that is only wishful thinking, no one being able to convincingly stick with that part of the story. Once on the second floor, he takes her into a room (not sure if through door, window, or solid wall), and appears to lay her on a bed, then walks further into the house where he cannot be seen from a viewer outside the home nearby.
The roadside carrying scene never happens before midnight, and it always has been on low moonlit nights. Many drivers have stated they have seen it in their mirrors after passing and not seeing anything prior from the front. Those stories all seem to go with the ones about the butler being seen only in rear view mirrors, however one claims to have seen it first hand while walking on the same road.
It is said that one sailor hitching a ride back to base fell asleep, and so the driver thinking the young man was drunk, took him to his house in Mayport, then woke the man, offering to allow him to sleep it off on his couch. The man explained that he did not drink, was traveling from a great distance for a long time to get back to base in time for an important deployment the next day. He preferred getting back to the base that night but understood that the owner could not purchase gas until the next morning, so he took the offer to rest on the couch. After sleeping for several hours, he reconsidered and decided he had better walk, especially with the driver just happening to have enough gas to get home but not enough to make the short trip to the base. Knowing he could be in serious trouble if he tried crossing the fence in Mayport, he knew he had to walk back to the road that leads into the base at the main gate.
On his long walk back to the base, he witnessed a man carrying a woman in a long white dress, only because his eyes had now become accustomed to the faint light. Not being aware of the local legend, he asked if he could help or go call someone. Not getting any response, he became concerned when the man with the tattered jacket would not speak, and may be up to no good. He decided he needed to run back to the house where he had rested to get the kind owner to call the police. Not being familiar with Mayport, it was the closest and only choice to do something about an odd encounter.
When he returned to the house, it appeared to be empty. He was confident he had returned to the same house because the old truck he had ridden in was parked on the side towards the back where the owner had parked it a few hours prior. On his walk back to the main road, he decided the most well lit part of the sky must be over downtown Mayport, so he headed in that direction to locate someone else. Shortly he was in luck as a local police car making his rounds stopped to question the unrecognized man walking alone in the small neighborhood. The sailor related the story to the officer, and pointed to the house he had rested at that now seemed to be empty, the only house that could be seen from his current location. The baffled police officer was reluctant to tell the young man anything until he confirmed his suspicions with the main office. He took the sailor back to headquarters to fill out a report, then took him down the road as far as his routes would allow, and apologized that he would not be able to take him further. Both understood, and that part of the story ended.
When the officer returned to headquarters, he did some records checking. The house the young man supposedly rested at is the house that the bride had moved out of just before the wedding because she would be living in St. Augustine upon return of their ocean cruise honeymoon. If that wasn’t enough of a coincidence, it was also the same house that the motorcycle accident victim had moved into, years later, after several other residents had lived there in between. No one had before ever known this part of the story. Wanting to confirm the sailor did indeed claim to rest at the same address, the officer wanted to reach the sailor before he was to deploy, otherwise leaving a now bizarre story unsolved, and hoping he could convince the sailor to get someone to bring him back for a daylight view of the vacant house he claimed to rest in, and hopefully to confirm he was not confused about any similar houses in the area. Early the next day, as his shift was ending, the officer used the contact information the sailor had provided on the report. The number rang into an on-base barracks building where young single men are housed. No one there was aware of anyone with that name. Understanding that others there might not know him since he was probably new, the officer contacted a friend of his in a military security position that could locate the young man anywhere on base, regardless of where he was. The military security had no records on the name what-so-ever. Either his friend was playing a joke on him, or he had misunderstood the name. The officer faxed the portion of his report with contact information showing the name handwritten, signed by the sailor, and a copy of the military ID the officer made back at headquarters before heading out to drop the man off. One other local officer confirmed the officer had come by with a young sailor, did his report, then gave the young man a ride. The other officer did not pay any attention or get involved in any communication with the sailor.
The military ID did not match any on file, although it looked legit and legible on the faxed copy. Both parties confirmed the number and each field on the ID.
The story getting more complex and bizarre, the Navy started some checks of its own on the name. They finally found something, but not in the current living files. The very unique name applied to a sailor stationed at Mayport not long after it had opened in the late 40s. No other person with either name existed in any military records. The solder was an orphan, and showed no next of kin. Their military IDs matched except for the expiration date, and the part of the ID that indicates when it was assigned due to the change in how the military now uses a different system. He too was a single man, and often visited bars off base. Always having more money for booze than a car, or even saving enough for cab fare, he often walked back to base after carousing bars in nearby Atlantic Beach, or the clubs nearby just off base, one being a ladies dance club. He had lost all rank from lack of responsibility, and due to the needs for the Korean War, rather than being court martialed or discharged, was being deployed to go there. The night before his deployment, he decided to get his last jollies off at a local strip club. It is said that he fancied one dancer that started her routine wearing a long white dress.聽 On his way walking back to base, he was struck by a truck as evidenced by another sailor driving back to base that saw the accident. The truck driver appeared to be drunk, swerving all along A1A as it traveled north. After hitting the walking sailor, he did not stop, but appeared to head towards the village of Mayport. A report was made but a truck was not found. The case left unsolved until now. The truck description fit precisely with the truck parked beside the empty house. The truck appeared to not have been driven in many years, its gas tank long since evaporated, and battery dead. The closest and oldest neighbor said that the owner stopped driving the truck many years prior. Instead, he had started taking his motorcycle, but not the same motorcycle that ended up in the marsh. Apparently despaired at having killed a pedestrian, he chose to ride his bike, which he could keep in the middle of the road, and less likely to swerve all the way to the edge of the road or off it.
Each of the parts of the story seem to be reincarnations of past lives in turmoil, attempting to work off their past mistakes by doing good deeds after death.
I do not personally believe in ghosts, nor do I believe the King House is haunted. I believe all of the King House ghost stories were started by John King, initially to tease young kids, the same as he did at first with ghost stories about other places. He simply added that his house was haunted, and added the stories since he was a natural storyteller. As the stories took on a life of their own, I believe he kept true to the originals told to children, then told curious adults the same. Eventually, they became legend, and much different than the ones he told me. His versions were always consistent, never changing. It is only the authors that wrote of the stories later that have embellished them. The parapsychology researchers never have any trouble endorsing any unusual ghost activity, especially if the legend is already well grounded.
I first interviewed John King while he lived in the house in the middle 1960s. He never admitted they were stories. For my second interview 12 years later, not long before he moved out of the house, he did not recognize me because I accompanied a lady that asked the questions. Both interviews were tape-recorded. In comparisons, the stories are the same, never contradicting an earlier version. There were different parts told in each however, but no contradictions. The parts different are consistent with how any storyteller relates about a certain part. You would think if they were embellishments of his own, the later versions would be longer, but instead, it was more the opposite. When questioned, he expanded on the later versions giving the other details until they were nearly identical word for word.
Later, I told John that I had interviewed him earlier, and that I was pleased his story never wavered. He was pleased to find out who I was, and he added, there was no reason they would change. I suggested he record all of his stories for a book, true or not, they were good stories. He was the storyteller, I was the reporter. He considered it and thought it a good idea, but in his later years, he didn’t feel like turning his tales into a job. He was content with telling me, and have me write the stories instead. I never got to hear all of his stories, so I could not finish what seemed like a good idea.
Whether I believe they were real or not does not matter. Maybe John really believed they were true, and maybe they really are true. Just because I did not see any confirming signs does not mean they could not be. Regardless, I hope that people will not embellish the original versions John told. As you can see, they are fine on their own.
Wow, thanks for the update and the proper rendition 我听到 I have no doubt I’ve missed some things, and you certainly found a lot for us. Great research, and certainly interesting…Answers many questions, so thank you!
Take care,
Greg