Haunted Lighthouses in Midcoast and Downeast Maine
The lighthouses in the Penobscot Bay and along the northern coast, often referred to as “downeast” Maine, were built to protect shipping traffic containing granite from nearby quarries, along with lumber, and local fishing industries on route along a dangerous stretch of reefs, ledges and islands. This area experienced many shipwrecks during fierce New England storms with many foggy days each year.
Many of these lighthouses were built in isolated areas, which sometimes proved too much for the keepers or their wives, such as the entitity in the north tower at remote Matinicus Rock Light. Some of these souls were killed in tragic accidents, like the running spirit at Marshall Point Light, or perished in New England’s ferocious storms. Some keepers, and even their wives, were so dedicated to their lighthouse stations that their ghosts have been documented as returning to ensure the lighthouse is well maintained, like the active spirits found at Owls Head Light, and the female entity at Narragaugus (Pond Island) Light. Others suddenly died at the lighthouse, but remain as a playful spirit as the ghost at Prospect Harbor Light.
Haunted Museum and a Murdered Teeneager
Marshall Point Light, Port Clyde, Maine
Marshall Point Light marks the entrance to Port Clyde Harbor, within an artists' community. It was the site where Tom Hanks ended up after running cross country in the movie Forrest Gump in 1994.
At the museum, former caretakers and visitors report hearing footsteps and doors closing in empty rooms. Some who have stayed overnight at the lighthouse claim that a female ghostly apparition sometimes appears and tucks them in at night.
Murdered Teenager Still Running
The road leading to the beacon, known as Marshall Point Road, is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered teenager who encountered a smuggler and met his fate.
During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, when alcohol was illegal nationwide, smugglers and rum runners thrived, transporting illicit cargo along the coast to various regions of the country. Ben Bennett, a blonde-haired teenager, was walking down the road toward the lighthouse on a moonlit evening. Suddenly, he stumbled upon a small group of men unloading cargo in a quiet, secluded harbor area. Realizing the men were smugglers, the young boy turned and fled into the woods. One of the men with a dark beard and boots, noticed the boy at that exact moment and began to chase him, brandishing a knife. When the boy emerged back onto Marshall Point Road, the smuggler caught up with him and killed him.
On some foggy nights, sightings of the ghost of teenager Ben Bennett have been reported. He can be seen running along the road. Sometimes, he is pursued by a black-haired, bearded man in boots armed with a knife. They both seem to vanish as they round the corner.
Old Sea Captain Keeper and the Little Lady
Owls Head Light, Owls Head, Maine
Recently, Owls Head Light has been recognized as the most haunted lighthouse in America by Coastal Living magazine.
"Old Sea Captain" Keeper
In the 1800s, some keepers were so devoted to safeguarding mariners that many believed their spirits lingered at the light station they cherished, never abandoning their post even in death. Many of these keepers had once been ship captains. At Owls Head Light, numerous reports of mysterious footprints have been documented, resembling those left by a large pair of workman’s boots that appeared after rain or snowfall. The prints typically led in only one direction: up the ramp, stairs, and to the tower, where the brass would be polished and the lens cleaned. Over the years, some keepers reported visiting the tower only to find the door open and the brass and lens mysteriously polished.
In the 1980s, two families witnessed the ghost of the former keeper who appears a friendly presence. One of the familes, the Grahams, had a little girl named Claire, who had a small room in the upstairs and was frequently visited by the "old sea captain" as she called him. One night, Claire entered her parents' room and shouted, “The fog’s rolling in! Time to turn on the foghorn!” both parents were quite surprised, as they had never heard her use such language. They went outside and saw that the fog was indeed rolling in. They chose to heed their daughter's warning and activated the foghorn to alert local mariners. Whatever the entity was, the Grahams felt no fear, and their daughter seemed to enjoy the company of the “old captain.”
The Little Lady
The other spirit at the lighthouse is known as the “Little Lady," and her ghostly figure is most often seen in the kitchen or gazing out the window. Doors slam throughout the house, and silverware rattles in the drawers; however, anyone who encounters her feels a sense of peace. She is likely the wife of one of the former keepers who resided there. Perhaps her love for the station was so strong that she never wanted to leave.
Grumpy Spirit in the North Tower
Matinicus Rock Light, Matinicus, Maine
Matinicus Rock Light is situated on a small rocky island about five miles from Matinicus Island in Penobscot Bay and approximately 18 miles from the mainland, making it one of the most remote lighthouses on the East Coast. The lighthouse station is best known for its famous teenage heroine, Abbie Burgess, who kept the lights burning and her family safe during four weeks of constant storms.
Although no definitive record exists, the story goes that an unknown assistant lighthouse keeper at Matinicus Rock, unable to withstand the desolation and isolation of such a remote and barren place, climbed to the north tower, strung a rope around his neck, and hanged himself. His death was discovered a few days later when the residents of Matinicus Island, a few miles away, noticed that the light hadn't been turned on for several days.
Coast Guardsmen later reported a shadowy figure lurking around the north tower and the keeper’s house. They noted incidents of broken dishes, overturned chairs, and supplies thrown into disarray. Those stationed eventually figured out how to stop the haunting by locking and barring the door to the tower. Afterward, there were no reported sightings, strange noises, or paranormal activities until one day a crewman needed to retrieve materials from the tower. When he opened the door, new problems began to plague the station. The light was malfunctioning, machinery broke down, and the foghorn emitted an unusual sound. As long as the door remains locked, the lighthouse remains quiet.
Kevin J. Arsenault, a Coast Guardsman stationed at the lighthouse from 1976 to 1977, reported a resident ghost that had been given the name “Moe” by those stationed before, locked in the north tower. Arsenault observed a glow from that abandoned tower on numerous occasions despite the absence of electricity or lights inside.
Click this link Abbie Burgess Teenage Hero for more intricate details about Maine's most famous teenage heroine of Matinicus Rock Light, in my Lighthouse Stories blog section.
Foreign Female Ghost Protects the Light
Narragaugus (Pond Island) Light, Milbridge, Maine
Narragaugus (Pond Island) Light was built to accommodate the shipping traffic, of mostly lumber from northern Maine into the harbor by Milbridge.
Two college friends of the Dameron family, who lived at the lighthouse, spent a night in a downstairs bedroom to help renovate the house that week. They were awakened by the voice of a woman speaking angrily in a strange tone, but the only woman in the house was Nancy Dameron, the owner, who spoke only English. The following night, one of the young men heard a loud noise nearby, as if something heavy had fallen close to his pillow, but he saw nothing. Both young men got up and stated that they were there only to help repair the house, not to cause harm. During the rest of their stay at the property, the room remained quiet.
Pipe Tobacco Smoke and the Moving Statue
Prospect Harbor Light, Prospect Harbor, Maine
Located in one of the foggiest regions of Maine’s coast, Prospect Harbor Lighthouse was initially built of granite in 1850 to guide local fishing and shipping traffic. Albion Faulkingham was the last keeper of the light and served from 1930 till 1934, when the light was automated.
Shortly after, John Workman became the property's caretaker and resided in the dwelling until 1953. On New Year’s Day in1951, Workman’s father, Ira Workman, suddenly passed away at the lighthouse from a heart attack he suffered while lighting his pipe. Today, the station is a military installation, and the keeper’s quarters, known as Gull Cottage, are reserved only for military personnel. Over the years, many who have stayed in the keeper’s quarters have reported frequent paranormal activity, including the strong smell of tobacco from the spirit of Ira Workman’s pipe.
A small statue of a sea captain wearing a dark wool coat, placed in the center out with two other statues of reach on a high ledge at the top of the stairs, seems to be consistently moved to face the stairs one moment (maybe when curious on the happenings in the house) and, at another time, guests notice that the statue is turned to face the sea. Some visitors have heard footsteps on the stairs and claimed to have seen a ghostly figure at night flowing between the walls. Reports have also circulated of doors opening and closing, lights flickering on and off, and various other strange occurrences.
Books to Explore
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts This book provides special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, including parks, museums, boat cruises and tours. You'll also find over 360 images to enjoy as well. Look inside! |
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Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: This book provides human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses in northern New England, along with plenty of coastal attractions and tours near each beacon, and contact info to plan your special trips. Look inside! |
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This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
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The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. |
