Maine is a state with a lot of history and legend behind it. From the urban legends that circulate to the actual documented history, there is always something new to learn about Maine. Here are some of the most chilling urban legends in Maine that are sure to keep you up at night!
1. The Sabattus Well Descent
A group of teens dared their friend to explore a supposedly haunted well in Sabattus. The young boy took on the challenge to try and impress his friends. Sitting atop a rubber tire, he was lowered down into the depths of the well for many minutes until his friends could no longer see him.
The boys were pulling on the rope when they suddenly realized that there was no movement. They pulled their friend up to find him very changed. The boy’s hair had turned stark white, his entire body shook, and he was unable to form coherent sentences. His laughter indicated that he had gone insane, and his appearance was that of a very old man. The boy never came back from this state and is said to randomly scream from the windows of the county institution where he now lives.
2. The Monster of Pocomoonshine Lake
According to local lore, this lake in Washington County has been the home of snake-like creatures for centuries. Some have reported seeing the beings, as well as the trails they leave behind when entering and exiting the lake. While there are no photos of the creatures, locals estimate them to be anywhere from 30 – 60 feet long. They could date back as far as 1873.
3. The Wood Island Lighthouse Haunted
There are a few eerie theories as to why the Wood Island lighthouse is haunted. One story revolves around fisherman Howard Hobbs who, in 1896, killed his landlord Fred Milliken after drinking heavily with his roommate William Moses. According to accounts, after being asked by Millikin to speak about their overdue rent, Hobbs shot him in the chest before ultimately taking his own life inside the lighthouse.
After the suicide, those who were tasked with keeping the lighthouse reported hearing moaning and seeing unexplained shadows. In 1972, the light was removed, making it unnecessary for anyone to live in the haunted lighthouse. If you visit now, you’ll see that an automated light exists and perhaps you’ll hear Hobbs moaning on his own – without even a keeper to keep him company.
4. The Seguin Island Lighthouse Hauntings
A couple in the mid-1800s inhabited the lighthouse. To keep his wife from going stir-crazy on the isolated island, the caretaker had a piano shipped to her. He should have confirmed her level of expertise before giving her this gift, though. Unfortunately, she only knew one song and played it endlessly.
Over time, the caretaker could no longer handle it; he went insane and destroyed the piano with an ax. Afterward, he killed his wife and then himself. Today, people living nearby claim to have heard the lone song coming from the lighthouse.
5. The Ghost of the Bride in Haynesville Woods
On a dark, winter night on an uphill, wooded road on the outskirts of Haynesville, a newlywed groom lost control of his car while drunk and crashed into a telephone pole – killing himself.
The young bride, after having crawled out of the wreckage, made her way back to the road. She waited for hours in hopes that somebody would come by and help her but because of the harsh conditions that night, no one was traveling. So she remained in that spot until she eventually froze to death.
Many voyagers have stated they encountered a woman in a white dress outside Haynesville Woods. She pace along the road’s shoulder, looking for aid that would never appear. Some even say they conversed with her- during these times, she would tell them her story; however, as the cars got closer to hers, she’d suddenly vanish.
6. The Fort William Henry Haunting
Pemaquid Beach in Bristol is home to an old fort that is said to be haunted by the spirit of a Native American chief. Chief Taukolexis was killed by hanging near the fort in 1696, and according to legend, his spirit “lives” in the same tree where he was hanged. Visitors to the fort have reported seeing a white orb near the entrance that is believed to be the chief’s spirit. While there is no way to know for sure if the fort is truly haunted, it remains a popular destination for those who are intrigued by the possibility of encountering a ghost.
7. The Robie-Andrews Dormitory is haunted by a ghost.
It is said that Robie-Andrew’s dormitory on the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine is haunted. Built-in the 1800s, the Robie-Andrews dorm is the oldest building on the Gorham campus. Within that time, there have been numerous stories of suicide and murder, many of which include spirits that have stuck around for future generations of students.
In one story, a girl hung herself in the tower after learning she was pregnant. In another, a young woman falls to her death in front of a throng of people. Was she pushed? Did she jump herself? It is unclear. One thing is for sure, she hasn’t quite found peace as she can still be seen and heard in and around the dorm building.
Dorm residents have reported hearing noises and feeling cold in areas. Some say they’ve seen apparitions of a woman in a long dress or felt an icy blast of wind when no windows or doors were open. Others have complained of strange voices and footsteps when no one else is around.
Whether you believe the stories or not, there’s no denying that the Robie-Andrews dorm has an eerie past. If you’re brave enough to spend a night there, who knows what you might experience?
8. The Maiden’s Cliff Haunting in Camden
Maiden Cliff is one of the most popular hiking trails in Maine, and it is also said to be one of the most haunted. The trail gets its name from a tragic incident that occurred many years ago. According to the story, a young woman was hiking on the trail when her hat blew off her head. She ran after it, but she lost her footing and fell to her death on the rocks below. Some say that her spirit still haunts the area and that her ghost can be seen searching for her lost hat. Others say that she can be heard crying out in despair. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Maiden Cliff is a beautiful and popular hiking trail that is worth exploring.
9. The Legend of Colonel Buck’s Tomb
Colonel Jonathan Buck was a content man. He had a thriving business, a beautiful home, and a good reputation in the community. However, his life was turned upside down when he fell in love with a woman and she became pregnant with his son. Upon learning this, he forced her to leave and she spent the next few years raising her son alone. Eventually, the woman came back to Colonel Buck requesting assistance in caring for his son, which he refused. To ensure she would not bother him again, he pronounced her a witch and had her burned. During the fire, her leg was fetched by her son who ran away to bury it on his own as a memorial to his mother. After Colonel Buck’s death, his tomb showed signs of a stain in the form of a leg. Despite attempts to remove it (including changing the stone for a new one), the leg image remained. It is still there today. Some say that the leg stain is a sign of Colonel Buck’s remorse for what he did. Others say that it is a sign of the woman’s curse. But whatever the case may be, the leg stain remains an enduring mystery in Bucksport.
While there are many haunted places in Maine, the ones listed above are some of the most popular and well-known. If you’re looking for a spine-tingling experience, be sure to check out one (or all!) of these haunted locations. Who knows what you might encounter?
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