If you climb the tower at dusk, the Atlantic breeze soft around you and the Lighthouse beam begins its sweep across the water, remember you’re not alone. Keeper Peter Rasmusson is there, manning his eternal post, keeping vigil — not just over ships and tides, but over the station where he once served. You may experience eerie sensations, moving shadows, or unexplained smells—most notably the distinct scent of cherry tobacco lingering in rooms. Though he retired in 1924 after a lifetime of service, many believe his watch continues beyond death.
Born on the Danish island of Falster, Rasmusson began his career at sea at the age of 13, traveling the world before settling in the United States. At 25 years old, Peter joined the U.S. Lighthouse Service, serving aboard a lightship off the coast of Savannah. He later served at the Tybee Island Lighthouse and Hunting Island Lighthouse, before being appointed Head Keeper at St. Augustine in 1901. Peter Rasmusson remained Head Keeper for a remarkable 23 years, the longest tenure in the Lighthouse’s history. Rasmusson retired at the age of 41 years, unfortunately after his wife, Lula, passed away in 1921. Rasmusson passed away in November 1925 and was buried next to Lula in Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine.
Immediately after his death, people began reporting strange activity taking place around the site. The basement of the Keepers’ House, considered one of the most active areas for paranormal activity, is where visitors often encounter Keeper Rasmusson. These encounters involve being pushed or brushed by unseen hands—especially those who behave disrespectfully. One guest, according to staff, mocked Peter by calling him “stupid,” only to feel an invisible weight press against his neck and back. Other strange incidents include doors opening and closing on their own, footsteps echoing through empty halls, and objects like hats being mysteriously knocked off, as if by an unseen force.
What binds Peter Rasmusson’s spirit to the Light Station? First, there is his unwavering sense of duty. During his time as Head Keeper, the Light Station earned the Efficiency Pendant, an award for lighthouses who passed inspections with flying colors. St. Augustine received the pendant multiple times under Rasmusson’s watch.
Personal loss may also play a significant role in Peter Rasmusson’s lingering presence at the Lighthouse. By 1921, his wife, Lula, passed from tuberculosis, and the impact of her death was profound. Though Rasmusson remained at his post a few more years, he ultimately retired and moved to the mainland around 1924, reportedly because he could no longer bear to live at the Lighthouse without her. The home that they had shared, our historic Keepers’ House, become a source of grief. He passed away the following year, in 1925, and was laid to rest beside his wife at St. Augustine’s Evergreen Cemetery.
Finally, there’s the issue of respect, something that seems to matter deeply to Peter. The staff of the Lighthouse characterize ghost-Peter as less tolerant than most spirits, particularly toward visitors who treat the Lighthouse or its history with disrespect. Reports of hats being knocked off heads, sudden cold spots, and feelings of being watched all tend to surface when someone mocks or disturbs the site. It seems that in death, just as in life, Rasmusson demands reverence for the station he fiercely protected and served.