The Witching Refuge Casa Monica is a historic hotel located in downtown St. Augustine, Florida. The hotel is known for its rich history and alleged paranormal activity. It was originally built in 1888 by Franklin W. Smith as the Casa Monica Hotel, named after his daughter. **Over the years, the hotel has gained a reputation for being haunted by various spirits, including the ghost of a woman in white and a young boy.
**Over the years, the hotel has gained a reputation for being haunted by various spirits, including the ghost of a woman in white and a young boy.** The hotel's paranormal activity has attracted the attention of paranormal investigators and ghost enthusiasts from around the world. Many guests have reported experiencing strange occurrences during their stay, such as hearing unexplained footsteps, seeing apparitions, and feeling a presence in their rooms.
Pine Witches' Broom Mite PDIC Factsheets
Pine witches' broom mites, Trisetacus floridanus and other closely related eriophyid mites, cause noticeable bunched growth on pines often referred to as witches or witch's brooms. Eriophyid mites are unusual in that they have only four legs situated at the front of a worm-like, cylindrical body. Pine witches' broom mites are extremely small (280 to 375 microns long—just visible with a 10X hand lens), and the abdomen has 65 to 70 encircling rings with microscopic bumps. The tiny legs each have a feather claw with eight rays on each side. The light yellowish white female mites lay relatively large eggs from which hatch first nymphs that grow and molt into second nymphs that grow and molt into adult mites. Like many eriophyid mites, Trisetacus mites inject their saliva into their hosts as they feed. This saliva acts like a plant growth regulator by shortening stem growth and encouraging numerous adventitious buds to form (the witches' broom). Specimens have been collected in growing terminal shoots from January through August. Pine witches' broom mites probably overwinter in bark crevices and under bud scales. We probably have several generations per year in North Carolina.
An illustration of the pine witches' gall mite taken from Keifer et al. 1982. The entire abdomen has rings with micro bumps.
An illustration of the pine witches' gall mite taken from Keifer et al. 1982. The entire abdomen has rings with micro bumps.
A damaged pine bud opened to show the eriophyid mites inside (arrows). These mites are incredibly small.
A damaged pine bud opened to show the eriophyid mites inside (arrows). These mites are incredibly small.
One of the most famous stories associated with the hotel is the legend of the woman in white. According to local folklore, a young woman named Margaret was staying at the hotel in the 1900s. She fell in love with a Spanish soldier, but their love was forbidden by their families. **Legend has it that Margaret committed suicide by jumping from the hotel's tower, and her ghost now haunts the premises.** Many guests claim to have seen a shadowy figure in a white dress roaming the hallways and disappearing into thin air. Another paranormal phenomenon that is often reported at the Witching Refuge Casa Monica is the presence of a young boy. Guests have heard giggling and the sound of running footsteps, even when no children are present in the hotel. Some believe that the boy is the spirit of a child who died in the hotel many years ago. Others speculate that he may be a mischievous entity playing tricks on unsuspecting guests. Regardless of the stories and legends that surround it, the Witching Refuge Casa Monica is a popular destination for those interested in the paranormal. The hotel offers ghost tours and paranormal investigation experiences, allowing visitors to learn more about its haunted history and perhaps even have their own supernatural encounter. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the Witching Refuge Casa Monica provides a unique and thrilling experience for anyone looking to explore the unknown..
Reviews for "Witches and Magic: Exploring the Refuges of Casa Monica"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with my stay at Witching Refuge Casa Monica. The place was not well-maintained and there were many issues with the amenities. The rooms were dirty and had a strange odor. The heating system was not working properly, leaving us freezing during the night. The staff was unhelpful and unresponsive to our complaints. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone.
2. John - 2 stars - Witching Refuge Casa Monica did not meet my expectations. Although the location was convenient, the overall cleanliness of the place was lacking. The carpets were dirty and there were stains on the walls. The bed was uncomfortable and there was a lack of basic amenities such as sufficient towels and toiletries. Additionally, the noise from the neighboring rooms was quite disruptive. I believe there are better options available in the area.
3. Emily - 2 stars - My experience at Witching Refuge Casa Monica was less than satisfactory. The place seemed old and poorly maintained. The room I stayed in had a musty smell and the bathroom tiles were in need of repair. The water pressure in the shower was weak and I struggled to get hot water. The Wi-Fi was unreliable and kept disconnecting. Overall, it felt like the accommodations were not worth the price I paid. I would recommend looking for alternative options in the area.