About This Location
A four-story Victorian home built in 1856 by John May, featuring seven gables and fourteen rooms. Known as the most haunted house in Florida, with 11 documented ghosts. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
The Ghost Story
The May-Stringer House in Brooksville is widely known as the most haunted house in Florida, home to at least 11 documented spirits. This four-story, seven-gable Victorian "painted lady" overlooks the city from its hilltop perch, now serving as the Hernando Heritage Museum.
The most active ghost is three-year-old Jessie Mae Saxon, who died in the house in 1872. Her mother, Marena May, had died giving birth to Jessie Mae's younger sibling, and the toddler passed away shortly after. Since then, her spirit has remained tied to the home—heard calling out for her mother, crying during the night, and giggling with mischievous delight.
Dr. Sheldon Stringer's family noticed Jessie Mae's presence soon after expanding the house in the early 1900s. The disembodied laughter of a young child echoed through rooms, and dolls in her bedroom have been seen moving on their own. Paranormal investigators always make Jessie Mae's bedroom a priority stop.
Other spirits include Frank Saxon, photographed walking the second-floor balcony; Marena Saxon, keeping watch over visitors; James, who hanged himself on the fourth floor; and the angry entity dubbed "Mr. Nasty" who dwells in the third-floor attic.
During 1980s renovations, staff witnessed shadow figures, orbs of light, and strange mists hanging in the air. They felt unexplained cold spots in the Florida heat—despite having no air conditioning—and heard footsteps, including those of children, in rooms they knew were empty.
TAPS (Ghost Hunters) investigated, and over 80 ghost-hunting groups have documented their findings. Kindred Spirits explored the attic haunting for television. Today, the museum offers Friday and Saturday night ghost tours, providing guests with their own paranormal equipment to communicate with the mansion's eternal residents.
Researched from 6 verified sources including historical records, local archives, and paranormal research organizations. Learn about our research process.