Inside Jacksonville’s Historic — And Haunted? — Florida Theatre, Which Turns 100 Next Year

The historic Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, is marking its 100th year next year, and it has gained a reputation for being haunted. Owned by the City of Jacksonville and the non-profit Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, the grand theater has undergone significant renovations during the COVID-induced touring halt in 2020.

These improvements included new lighting, sound, and video systems, as well as new seats, with the exception of a pair in the balcony that were intentionally preserved to honor a ghostly presence. This apparition, known as J, has reportedly been seen sitting in the seat on video, and several have claimed to see an orb hovering over it.

The presence of J is believed to be protective rather than harmful, as stated by a psychic consultant who named the ghost after himself. While the theater's marketing director confirms that there is a "ghost seat" in the building, it is not marked or officially recognized. Instead, guests who are aware of the location often seek out this seat, and the theater even sells a bumper sticker that reads, "I sat with the ghosts at the Florida Theatre."

The ghost seat, located in the first row of the middle balcony, offers a prime view with no one in front of the seat. However, construction workers have reported other strange occurrences, such as paint cans flying through the air and hearing an electrical hum from unplugged items. Some also claim to have seen an unknown figure in the projection booth.

While these reports cannot be confirmed, they have contributed to the mystique surrounding the Florida Theatre.