WHILE IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, YOU MIGHT find yourself driving through a shady tunnel of oak trees into what was once Sacred Heart Hospital. As you drive down 12th Avenue, you’ll notice the towering edifice of sandy gray stone, now known as Tower East.
Built in 1915, the late Gothic revival structure resembles a castle rather than a medical center. After the hospital moved to a new location in 1965, the building became home to small businesses, a pizza shop, a school (Pensacola School of Liberal Arts), and, according to local folklore, a few ghosts.
O’Zone Pizza Pub, located in the basement, exudes an old-school elegance that sets it apart from the ordinary neighborhood business. But it isn’t simply the atmosphere that attracts ghosts—ahem, guests. There is a big craft beer selection, as well as classic and creative pies. The Ponderosa Stomp sandwich has cheddar, barbecue sauce, chicken, bacon, green pepper, sliced onion, and honey. It can also be topped with cream cheese and jalapeños.
After eating, visitors can explore the rest of the former hospital. The first three floors are open to the public and feature display cases containing vintage medical equipment and other curiosities. The walls are covered in black-and-white photos of nuns in a church and surgical rooms, as well as an eclectic mix of large, eerie artworks.
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Know before you go
If you’re going to O’Zone for supper, make sure to explore the other areas of the former hospital first. The public portions of the building are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Keep in mind that the upper floors, which lack electricity and have disintegrating walls, are off-limits to the general public. Ghost hunters and adrenaline seekers: If you go up there, the family who owns the building may contact the police.
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