In Central Florida, just north of Orlando, there’s Cassadaga, a small town with an unusual distinction. It has one of the highest concentrations of practicing mediums in the country, and that reputation continues to shape the steady flow of visitors who come hoping to understand what sets the community apart.
A Town Built Around Psychic Life
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Cassadaga is 50 miles north of Orlando and emerged from a late 19th-century spiritualist movement. The community that exists today traces back to 1894, when a medium named George Colby followed the guidance of a spirit advisor and established a camp for spiritualists searching for milder winters. The camp eventually expanded into a collection of homes, each occupied by people who practice mediumship or spiritual healing.
The area covers approximately 55 acres, comprising a few dozen houses, and remains committed to its original spiritualist principles. Residents believe the spirit continues beyond physical life and that mediums can communicate with those who have passed away. Visitors often arrive curious about what that looks like in practice, and Cassadaga’s long history keeps that curiosity alive.
Wandering Through The Community
Stepping into Cassadaga is like walking through a preserved chapter of Florida’s past. The camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still features century-old buildings, soft tree-covered streets, and signs with names that match the town’s identity.
Guests also visit the Andrew Jackson Davis Educational Building and bookstore. The thick binder of medium biographies draws plenty of attention, since it helps people choose who they want to meet. A whiteboard displays who is available for walk-in sessions, which cost between $50 and $200 per hour. The camp prefers mental mediumship, so no tarot cards or crystals appear during official readings.
A short walk leads to the Hotel Cassadaga, built in 1927. It no longer belongs to the camp, but it thrives off the area’s reputation. Visitors can find tarot readers, reiki practitioners, and an Italian restaurant inside. During the Halloween season, the hotel leans into the spooky interest with a haunted attraction. During the rest of the year, it stays quiet.
The Mix Of Believers, Explorers, And Skeptics
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Cassadaga attracts a diverse range of people who come seeking comfort after a loss or hope for clarity during life's changes. Some show up just to see what all the talk is about. Annual estimates place visitation at around 15,000 to 17,000 people, and it is not unusual to hear several languages.
People who choose to live in the camp take their work seriously. Mediums train for years, studying, practicing in public demonstrations, and proving their skills before earning certification. The demand for readings often outweighs the number of available practitioners, which keeps schedules busy.
Not every guest walks away convinced, of course. Cassadaga gets its fair share of skeptics who leave with more questions than answers. The town accommodates all reactions. Even its official statements welcome visitors regardless of belief.