Ghostly Happenings in Maine

Take a Scary Ride Along Route 2A

In his song, “A Tombstone Every Mile," Maine country music singer Dick Curless commemorates Route 2A, which has developed a reputation as one of the state’s most haunted and hazardous routes.

Many people have died as a result of the road’s severe turns, especially truck drivers transporting potatoes to Boston.

Local folklore claims that truckers are still on the road and frequently seen standing near the pavement, disoriented and covered in blood.

When drivers attempt to assist a distressed woman who is shouting that her husband is stuck in a car, she disappears.

There is a young girl who was allegedly hit by a large truck years ago, and it appears she is still in this world, looking for a ride by the side of the road, perhaps to find someone to take her to the other side.

Ghost Who Enjoy Watching TV

Over 40 US presidents have stayed at the Kennebunk Inn, which was founded in 1799 and has a history spanning more than 200 years.

The amiable ghostly spirit of Silas Perkins, who worked at the inn until his death in his 80s, is the most well-known occupant. He chose to stay at the inn and has become a naughty presence. Room 17 is the most haunted, where Silas likes to turn on the TV and watch his favorite shows. Perhaps you would like to keep him company.

Where Your Imagination Can Run Wild

Stephen King's house in Bangor, Maine, is often associated with a haunting aura.

The Victorian mansion, purchased by King in 1980, has become a focal point for fans and curious visitors alike, largely due to its connection to the author's horror stories.

The mansion features intricate iron gates adorned with spooky motifs like spiders and bats, enhancing its eerie reputation. It is located in the Whitney Park Historic District, contributing to its atmospheric presence. King's home has inspired many of his chilling tales, making it a significant landmark in horror literature. Perhaps you can arrange a tour and see which King characters you might run into in the rooms and hallways.

Shadowy Figures Among Gravestones

Founded in 1836, Mount Hope Cemetery is a garden cemetery with landscaping and the second of its kind built in the US. Many of the graves are those of soldiers from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Nearing the end of the day, visitors have heard footsteps and seen dark, shadowy figures standing behind gravestones. It could be that ghostly apparitions don’t want to remain alone in the cemetery after dark. American horror author Stephen King included this cemetery in his novel “Pet Sematary."

Beware the White Witch

The Museums of Old York, a well-preserved building, was formerly the Town Hall for the village of York. It is situated in one of the first English colonies in the US. A woman known as the White Witch was hanged directly outside the building during the notorious period of witch hunts. Visitors here feel cold spots, doors open and close on their own, and objects completely or more than completely disappear. Children from a local preschool have reported seeing the witch during playtime, describing her as a kind woman who plays with them. Would you want to play with this witch?

Ghostly Piano Player

Adventurous ghost hunters have made the journey to seek ghostly spirits at the Sequin Island Light Station since the early 1800s.

The spooky story began when a lighthouse keeper’s wife brought a piano to the secluded island to keep herself entertained; however, she only knew one song and played it repeatedly. This drove her husband crazy, and in a fit of rage he murdered her with an ax. Horrified at what he had done and afraid of going to jail, he killed himself. Today visitors to the island as well as nearby fishermen and boaters hear the haunting melody the wife once played floating on the wind. Other unexplained phenomena have been coughing, a bouncing ball, objects moving about on their own, and even the sighting of a little girl who disappears when they look closer.

Shipwrecked Spirits

In addition to its natural beauty, the Ship Harbor Trail is a well-liked destination for ghost tours in the Bar Harbor region, one of Maine’s most haunted locations. The location is said to be cursed by the locals, especially in light of the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred there.

A ship with over 200 passengers sank off the coast in 1739. The survivors fled into the forest and were never seen again, while the majority of the passengers perished and were interred in unmarked graves. Now hiker have heard howling, screaming, and groaning, which supposedly comes from these tortured ghostly spirits who perished in the bitter cold.

Ghostly Spirit in the Tower

The haunted Robie-Andrews dormitory on the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine was built in the 1800s. It is associated with stories of suicide and murder. (pictured above)

From the tower, a woman supposedly fell to her death either by suicide or a helping hand. Since that time, she has remained at the dorm as a ghostly inhabitant. Dorm residents have felt cold spots and heard strange noises. Her image has been seen looking from the tower, and it could only be a ghostly spirit to access it because the tower has been closed off and inaccessible for many years.

Tragedy of Two Suicides

Even the popular TV show “Ghost Hunters” has done a paranormal investigation of the Wood Island Lighthouse, where spirits are restless.

The first suicide dates back to 1896 when a drifter shot the sheriff when confronted for not paying rent and causing trouble. The drifter became inconsolable after learning the sheriff who he had shot died. Overcome with grief, he sought shelter with lighthouse keeper Thomas Orcutt. Orcutt was not successful in consoling the drifter, and he took his own life.

Charles Burke succeeded Orcutt as the keeper in 1905. However, the new lighthousekeeper was haunted by the ghostly spirit that had taken over the place and manifested in his old uniform and made disturbing noises. Burke abandoned his post to stay in a boarding house, but instead of finding safety there, he killed himself the next day.

Today anyone visiting the lighthouse can see shadows moving in the dark, hear gunshots, window shades spin about, and locked doors swing open.