Nestled within the picturesque charm of Yesteryear Village in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Riddle House appears at first glance to be a quaint, early 20th-century home steeped in Southern hospitality. White picket fences, lush greenery, and a stately yellow facade make it feel inviting. But beyond its cheerful exterior lies a complex, spine-tingling history that has earned it a reputation as one of Florida’s most haunted houses. Paranormal investigators, ghost enthusiasts, and curious travelers continue to be drawn here—some seeking answers, others seeking thrills. The Riddle House is more than just a preserved historical structure; it’s a bona fide portal into a haunted past where the ghosts of forgotten souls are said to still wander the halls.
The History
From Funeral Parlor to Private Residence
The Riddle House was originally built in 1905 in West Palm Beach. Its first incarnation was not as a home, but as a funeral parlor known as the “Gatekeeper’s Cottage,” located near the Woodlawn Cemetery. The building functioned as a mortuary and was closely tied to the cemetery, providing services and housing for the cemetery’s gatekeeper and staff.
Due to its close proximity to the dead, along with the nature of its work, the house became associated with death and mourning almost immediately. This early connection with the deceased laid the groundwork for many of the spiritual legends that would later emerge about the property.
Joseph Riddle and the House That Bears His Name
In the 1920s, the house was purchased by Joseph Riddle Jr., a local businessman with ties to West Palm Beach’s early development. Riddle moved the house to a new location within town to serve as a private residence. Under the Riddle family’s ownership, it was refurbished and served as a stately home. However, tragedy soon followed. One of Riddle’s employees, a man named Karl Riddle (no direct relation despite the surname confusion), is central to some of the home’s most chilling tales.
Eventually, the house changed hands numerous times. Each owner contributed to its evolving story, with many reporting strange occurrences during their residency. Over the decades, the building fell into disrepair until it was rescued from demolition in the 1990s.
The Move to Yesteryear Village
In an effort to preserve its historical integrity, the Riddle House was painstakingly relocated to Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds in 1995. This village is a curated historical site dedicated to preserving and showcasing the roots of South Florida’s pioneering past.
The move didn’t seem to quiet the house’s lore. If anything, it only served to amplify its haunted status. Volunteers involved in the relocation process later reported unsettling events—tools mysteriously vanished, workers refused to return, and eerie accidents occurred during construction. These early incidents were among the first modern-day accounts of the paranormal struggles centered around the Riddle House.
The Haunt
Spirits That Refuse to Leave
Over the years, the Riddle House has earned a formidable paranormal reputation, largely due to frequent reports of ghostly sightings, mysterious noises, and an overwhelming feeling of being watched. Paranormal investigators from across the country have taken an interest, and the home was even featured in an episode of Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures in 2008, further cementing its fame.
The Ghost of Joseph and the Tragic Tale of Suicide
One of the most persistent spirits said to inhabit the Riddle House is believed to be that of a man named Joseph, a former employee of Joseph Riddle Jr. According to legend, Joseph was a groundskeeper who took his own life by hanging himself in the attic after suffering great personal misfortune. It’s said his spirit never left.
Visitors to the attic often report sudden temperature drops, disembodied voices or whispers, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Some have even been pushed or scratched by an unseen force. In fact, the attic became so notorious for hostile activity that Yesteryear Village staff eventually restricted access to the area.
Poltergeist Activity and Non-Human Entities
Several volunteers and visitors have described instances of classic poltergeist behavior. Items fling across rooms without cause, lights flicker despite updated wiring, and doors slam shut seemingly on their own. One local psychic claimed the energy within the home is not only that of lost souls, but possibly inhuman entities—spirits that feed off emotional turmoil and fear.
One particularly disturbing account involved a team of paranormal investigators who conducted an overnight study. Their equipment malfunctioned repeatedly, batteries drained instantly, and one team member claimed to have seen an apparition of a man swinging from the rafters in the attic before fainting.
Children’s Spirits and Disembodied Voices
Adding to the eerie ambiance, several people have reported hearing the laughter or crying of unseen children echoing through the halls, particularly on the second floor. There are no historical reports of children dying at the property, leading some to speculate whether these could be residual energies, or whether the tragedy of the space has attracted wandering spirits from the nearby cemetery where the house originally stood.
Ghost Adventures and Ongoing Investigations
During its time on Ghost Adventures, Zak Bagans and crew experienced unexplained banging noises, voices captured on their EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings, and a general sense of malevolent energy that made even hardened investigators uneasy. The crew deemed it one of the most active locations they had visited in Florida.
Since then, multiple teams have followed, each recording their own encounters. The Riddle House remains one of Yesteryear Village’s top paranormal attractions thanks to these hair-raising reports.
Conclusion: For the Brave and the Curious
If you’re a paranormal enthusiast, investigator, or history buff with a taste for the macabre, the Riddle House in West Palm Beach should be at the top of your haunted travel list. With a past steeped in death and sorrow, along with some of the most documented ghost activity in the state, it offers a unique fusion of historical significance and supernatural speculation.
Whether you’re hoping to feel a chill from the other side or simply want to marvel at early 20th-century Florida architecture, the Riddle House welcomes you—just be ready for the possibility that you’re not alone. Who knows? The ghost in the attic may be waiting to make your acquaintance.
Plan your visit during one of Yesteryear Village’s annual paranormal tours or coordinate with local ghost hunting groups who frequently organize investigations. Just remember: the spirits of the Riddle House aren’t always shy, and you may leave with more questions than answers.
Have you ever visited the Riddle House? Share your experiences in the comments below—or better yet, grab your EMF reader, pack your camera, and step into one of Florida’s most famous haunted homes. Adventure—and maybe a ghost or two—await.