Prospect Harbor Lighthouse in Fog
Haunted Prospect Harbor Lighthouse in Northern Acadia National Park
Vintage Image Built in 1850. Courtesy US Coast Guard.
The region has always been one of the foggiest on the Maine coast. Prospect Harbor has been a busy fishing harbor since the mid-1800s. Prospect Harbor Lighthouse was initially built in 1850 of granite, then rebuilt in 1891 of wood, to guide local traffic of coasting schooners and fishermen. The local fishing industry always determined the existence of the Prospect Harbor lighthouse. Many years later, as the historic beacon fell into disrepair from neglect and funding, the American Lighthouse Foundation stepped in to save the lighthouse in 2004 when the critical restoration was applied to the lantern and gallery. Today, the lighthouse guides lobster and sardine fishermen to and from their homes.
Prospect Harbor Lighthouse is unique in that it is an active military base. However, it is not open to the public, but you can photograph it from Prospect Harbor. You cannot go onto the lighthouse grounds for security reasons, and it is actively more secure than a regular Coast Guard station. To view the lighthouse from a safe distance, from US Route 1, take 186 to Prospect Harbor. Turn right on 195, then bear right at the fork onto Lighthouse Point Road. You can view the light from the shoreline outside of the gates. Today, as the lighthouse and grounds belong to the U.S. Navy, the keeper’s house is available for overnight stays for active and retired military families. You can relax, picnic, and view Prospect Harbor lighthouse across this small harbor.
Paranormal Activities at Prospect Harbor Lighthouse
Prospect Harbor Lighthouse View Across Harbor
The keeper’s quarters are only used for military personnel, where it is now called Gull Cottage. A former light keeper’s ghost is said to haunt Gull Cottage, which some call Captain Salty. Over the years, some who have stayed at the keeper’s quarters have mentioned frequent paranormal activity. John Workman became the property’s caretaker and resided in the dwelling until 1953. On New Year’s Day in 1951, Workman’s father, Ira Workman, suddenly passed away at the lighthouse from a heart attack while lighting his pipe. Over the years, overnight guests have reported the strong smell of tobacco from the spirit of “Ira Workman’s pipe” when no one had been smoking.
It seems that a small statue of a sea captain, located out of reach on a high ledge at the top of the stairs, is consistently being moved to face the stairs one time, and then the occupants will notice the statue was moved to face the sea another time. Some guests have claimed to see a ghost-like figure at night, while others report smelling tobacco smoke when no one is smoking, doors opening and closing, lights going on and off, and other odd occurrences.
Heading Out to Northern Acadia National Park
Acadia bridge built for carriage roads.
One of the most frequented attractions in Maine is Acadia National Park, not only during the summer but also in the autumn season, with some great opportunities for fall foliage viewing for the “leaf peepers.” Most people, when they visit Acadia National Park, stay predominantly on Mount Desert Island, with its commercial establishments for tours, fine dining, artisan shops, hiking, beaches, Cadillac Mountain, and bike riding through the carriage roads that meander through wooded regions, which all are favorite attractions. In total, 120 miles of hiking trails and paths are often interconnected and combined with these original carriage roads built by the Rockefellers during the Gilded (Golden) Age of Industrialism, when the park was established.
Schoodic Point with its rock formations.
But those who wish to venture a little northward of the island will find untouched regions and quaint fishing villages that have remained the same for many generations. This area in Acadia involves the Park Loop from Mount Desert Island onto northern Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula. Head over Route 186 towards Winter Harbor and enjoy the views of Schoodic Peninsula, Schoodic Head, and Schoodic Point. As you drive slowly along the park’s one-way loop road, take the road to Schoodic Point. During high tide, when you reach Schoodic Point, you’ll find ocean surf smashing against a nearly 400-foot headland of rock formations.
Winter Harbor is a classic down east fishing village still thriving today for lobstermen and scallop draggers. Part of this is its location, where the harbor rarely freezes in winter. The privately owned Winter Harbor Lighthouse from Mount Desert Island onto Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula can be viewed from the park loop road.
Fog lifts by fishing boats on Prospect Harbor.
Outside of Schoodic Point, Prospect Harbor is a quaint fishing village where you can enjoy some nice walks.
Enjoy the views around this remote and tranquil area in New England!
Allan Wood
Books to Explore
The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships
The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: Stories of the Six and Seven-Masted Coal Schooners of New England. In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies and measured longer than a football field! This self-published book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships.
Available also from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
Enjoy a 10% discount on the hardcover version. Printed and distributed by IngramSpark.
Book – Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions in Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. This 300-page book provides memorable human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses. You can explore plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions, including whale-watching excursions, lighthouse tours, windjammer sailing tours, parks, museums, and even lighthouses where you can stay overnight. You’ll also find plenty of stories of hauntings around lighthouses.
Book – Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions in Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. This 300-page book provides memorable human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses. It also describes and provides contact info for plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours. These include whale watching, lighthouse tours, unique parks, museums, and lighthouses where you can stay overnight. There are also stories of haunted lighthouses in these regions, like the hauntings at Prospect Harbor Light.
Book- New England Lighthouses: Famous Shipwrecks, Rescues & Other Tales
New England Lighthouses: Famous Shipwrecks, Rescues & Other Tales contains over 50 stories, including haunted stories like the spirit at Prospect harbor Lighthouse. This image-rich book also contains vintage images provided by the Coast Guard and various organizations and paintings by six famous Coast Guard artists.
You can purchase this book and the lighthouse tourism books from the publisher Schiffer Books or in many fine bookstores such as Barnes and Noble.
Copyright © Allan Wood Photography; do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved.
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