There are enough creepy and abandoned sites around Maine to keep even the most curious traveller occupied. With over 202 years of history, Maine is packed with creepy and abandoned places to explore! None of that lasted long, though. A Maine almost-ghost-town that suffered a much more recent demise than most, the Evergreen Ski Resort was a popular getaway destination as late as the 1970s. This was an active mill until the 1980s when it was shut down by the state due to health risks of the sawdust pollution washing down the river. Built in the 1820s and 1830s and made up of eight granite buildings, the Kennebec Arsenal was a munitions depot until the early 1900s. Its through that is a guest died at the tavern they simply buried them out back. Homes built and left behind. Make sure you have made reasonable preparations for the trip. Lake is a summer hotspot for boating and a winter paradise for snowmobilersbut did you know that underneath the placid surface rests an, Flagstaff Village was first settled in the 1800s, hosting a gristmill and sawmill in the Dead River region. If you enjoy military history the fort is a great place to explore and enjoy the waterfront. Phone* Primary State of Interest* Primary City of Interest. whether thats a ferry, kayak, or canoe. Loring had a large civilian population with many facilities and amenities, including a ski hill. Today Fort Williams can be accessed by the public and the remaining concrete bunkers and structures that remain are available for exploration for anyone who wants to see this abandoned place in Maine. Its unclear why the island was abandoned. Regardless, its still a cool place, especially during the fall. All rights reserved. Buckman Tavern sits in an overgrown lot with not a whole lot to see. To prevent their complete destruction by the elements, the trains were painted in 1969. The brand new Haunted Hotel is now slated for opening weekend at Funtown this year! By 1908 the fort had been rebuilt and transformed into a naval prison inspired by the design of Alcatraz. You can. One of the best hikes to abandoned places in Maine is a short walk up to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth to see an old abandoned mansion. Thats before you consider the eerie Maine Seaboard Paper Company building, built on a former burial ground of Marines native Red Paint People and having since suffered a string of fires and other incidents. A nightmare of jagged angles, its a wonder this wooden structure is still standing. The broken metal and rust could slice a few fingers with ease. According to Wikipedia, Lewiston has a population of about 37,000 people. on the island using the provided lean-to shelters or a tent of your own. It would take some time, but by 1970 $4.5 million was spent to transform the 1,050 acres into a ski bums dream. Are there any historical sites you can hike to in Maine? Amy is also blogger/founder at Two Drifters, where she writes alongside her husband about romantic and couples travel, relationships, honeymoons, and more. Related Topics Maine United States of America North America Place comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment Luckily, Maine has a plethora of ghost towns ripe for exploring. Sometimes referred to as the Ghost Locomotives and located at the Eagle Lake Tramway near Greenville, this now abandoned railroad was once an integral part of transporting timber across the North Maine Woods, running its last run in 1933. There are vacant paper mills, old forts, deserted farmhouses, and even underground bunkers. Here sits an abandoned bridge, permanently left in the open position. The easiest thing to do was leave them where they stood, parked inside a shed. Take a look at this list and plan a trip to see them before nature completes the process. That shed burned down in 1966 and the trains began to rust. Theyre deep in the north woods and are not exactly easy to get to, but the ride itself is part of the journey. Last year's Top 100 Hotels winner, this glamorous, Bill Bensley-designed resort features a dramatic suspension bridge . The mill was built in 1879 where close to 30 men worked around the clock to make excelsior for furniture and packing goods. Fort William Henry in Colonial Pemaquid - Bristol. It's a beautiful example of Maine's inner waterways and comes with some of the state's richest history. This beautiful state is also the home to a number of locations that experience paranormal activity. Battery Steele was constructed in 1942 in response to coastal threats during World War II. 1. Like many coast forts at the end of World War II the fort was slowly decommissioned and eventually abandoned. David Livingstone Smith, author of On Inhumanity: Dehumanization and How to Resist It, explains why it's the metaphysical threat posed by Halloween creatures that gives them their horrifying power. Here, discarded canisters reveal cotton still waiting to be woven into fine Maine textiles. photo by Magicpiano (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified. One such interesting hike is The Old Pond Railway Trail. The craft didnt respond to radio and circled the site until disappearing from radar and being spotted numerous times throughout the night east of the base. New Hampshire's abandoned world includes everything from entire ghost towns, to abandoned factories, to abandoned malls, and more. Youll come to a sign that says Medawisa Lodge and Cabins/Smithtown Road. Abandoned places Visiting Lewiston and wanted to go out exploring some abandoned buildings, preferably something close by. Cabot's expeditions were based out of the fishing port of Bristol . Some of the towns buildings were relocated, but many of Flagstaffs residents lost their homes when, the area flooded due to the dams construction, The town didnt go under without ceremony, however. Boats are available to rent, but make sure you, check the weather report and harbor restrictions. By the 1930s there were just 56 left living here and, spookiest of all, if you head out to explore Askwith, you wont even find it marked on the map, since it was ultimately renamed Tarratine. Signage leads the way to this abandoned crash site which now acts as a final memorial resting place for the 7 lives lost that day in 1963. Swan Island, previously known as Perkins, is located in the Kennebec River. The cinema has been running for over 90 years, but its gained as much notoriety for its ghostly activity as for its movies. Her dream car is a bright red 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Some say the island was abandoned as a result of pollution in the river. Lime Rock Inn. Trespassing laws vary from state to state, but most are prosecutable offenses that could land you in hot water with steep fines or even jail time. Who doesnt love exploring old abandoned military forts? You can visit the island by parking across the river and kayaking over. You cannot, and should not, expect a smooth drive. (Big bucks back in the day.). Records of what happened to the town after that are scarce, but we know from a census in 1900 that at least. The Kennebec River Rail Trail on abandoned train tracks. Wed love to hear about it in the comments. However, you can view the eerie interiorcomplete with bar stools, dining settings, 70s wallpaper, and moreonline without having to break a sweat. Are There Any Ghost Towns in Maine? 9 - The Sterling Opera House, Derby CT The Sterling Opera House in Derby, CT is said to be one of the most haunted places in New England. Sadly, when the Great Depression hit the lumber business in Northern Maine was ruined - the trains were no longer needed, but the cost to remove them wasn't worth paying. I find its best to photograph with a drone. People settle, then leave. This explore is from an old untouched abandoned house with nearly everything left behind like the owners just walked away. Located on the Kennebec River and originally inhabited by native tribes and early settlers, you can get a glimpse of whats left of Perkins by popping across by ferry, kayak, or canoe. The town thats also variously known as Hancock Tannery and 39 Tannery became a miniature hub for buffalo leather shoe sole manufacturing, thanks to the presence of a factory that changed hands several times over the decades. Continue driving for a bit. It began to fall into decline towards the end of the 19th century, though, and was disincorporated as a town in 1973. Today, the hangers echo with only the sounds of nesting birds, and the nuclear storage vaults hold only the shadows of secrets. Madame Sherri's. The Isles Of Shoals. Share these haunted places in Louisiana with your friends. It was used for storage during WWII, but then abandoned again. "There are fires that have been happening off and on," Jacob Adams told Fox 12 Oregon this week about the homeless encampment on a property that runs alongside his The fort was built to support a network of other seaforts to defend the Maine coastline. Let a friend know where youre heading, lace up your adventure shoes, and explore the coolestand creepiest!sites that Maine has to offer.. Our road trips have taken you from Maines gorgeous waterfalls to impressive lighthouses and everywhere in between. There are numerous buildings around the base and in Loring that are abandoned. Just keep in mind this isnt the place to visit if youre chasing abandoned bunkers that are fully accessible. Over the years, the performers that it has hosted included the likes of Bob Hope and Harry Houdini. Below are 15 of my favorite abandoned places across the islands of Hawaii! The site is set in the woods of Stoneham, on the border between Maine and New Hampshire, and it is said to have functioned both as a winter ski resort and as a lakeside festival spot in the summer. Bring a friend along or let someone know where youre exploring. Rooftop 11. Today the fort is easily accessible and open to the public. The East Wind Inn. On average, its reported that the 12 cars these trains hauled carried more than 6,500 cords of wood across their tracks. However, the real magic of Battery Steele lies underground. A proud Vermonter, she hopes to share her love of New England and help you find the best adventures in the region. , which means it is illegal to enter the premises without permission. There were two railroads working in the Maine lumber industry from 1927-1933 in the area from around these trains, The Eagle Lake and West Branch. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. This was convenient for interrogators who would pull captured crewmen from their cells if the engineers had questions. Hop into the car and head to these interesting spots to learn a little bit more about the state we all love. Zion had a small post office that was discontinued in 1892. 44.92286, -68.66547Photo Credit: abandoned-eastcoast.com. Building #5 has been slated to face the wrecking ball since 2009, but the recent redevelopment of the Bates Mill has locals calling on the city to rescue the long-neglected space. Upon the pavement ending, you will see a sign that says Weyerhaeuser. Today the foundation is all that remains of a once-elegant Italianate manor. Officially named Fort Williams in 1899, this historic military fort contained multiple batteries, barracks, a hospital, commissary, and all the other essential buildings necessary to make a self-contained military community, but after WWII, many of its batteries were declared surplus and weaponry was removed, and Fort Williams was officially closed in the early 1960s. Click here for the completely driveable Google Map directions. Not knowing what youll find inside an abandoned site is part of the fun! This town in Maines Somerset County got its name from a flagstaff erected here by American military officer Benedict Arnold on an expedition to Quebec. Fears ran especially high during the Cold War, which made the decision to build the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone a very strategic one. While they are no longer in use, they're still maintained today in case they are ever used in the future. The roads are entirely unpaved, there are no gas stations, no convenience stores, no homes, and very few road signs. This article describes my trip there and will (hopefully) encourage you to visit this unique destination as well. The owner John Goddard had a brief stint as an army colonel in 1861continuing its military history, the mansion was used by the army in 1900 to host the, The derelict mansion was eventually taken over by the town in 1962. Urban exploration is a cool way to spend a weekend, but if you dont prepare correctly, your visit to an abandoned site can end in disaster. Following are my recommendations: Beyond that, download our directions, watch the video, allow yourself plenty of time for the trip, and tell someone where youre going! This site is particularly interesting because of its extreme remote location. The Spookiest Abandoned Places in Every State Are you brave enough to visit these chilling locations? Ligonia was once home to a concentration of Irish families, who worked for the Portland Rolling Mills company and turned it into a kind of campus town, complete with shops, a school, and a railway connection to Portland proper. There are some words of caution before you make your spooky trip to the ghost trains in Maine. Its a cool place to check out if youre close, the ruins lack any type of interior which is unfortunate. Sadly, the property cost more to upkeep than originally thought. Back in the early 60s, developers imagined Evergreen Valley to be a small but bustling ski town with cabins, lifts, and restaurants for the winter season. When not working on websites, Amy is probably reading, cuddling with her husband, son, and cats, & drinking a maple latte. Department 56 Snow Village Bucks County The Abandoned Gas Pump Halloween Christ Abandoned Mansion In Sullivan Maine Containment Haunted House is a haunted . The Lucerne Inn. Sadly, after years of neglect Madame Sherri's castle was destroyed by a fire set by vandals. The battery was one of the largest gun batteries in the entire United States. LMK! You'll find snow and ice here no matter what time of year it is, making it a real shock during the warmer months of the year. Greenville Inn -Moosehead Lake. There are numerous tags inside and along the walls but its doesnt take a whole lot away from the site. It is miles upon miles from emergency services. What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? Youll find three separate batteries, dark tunnels, and a whole lot of very weathered concrete. Stay STRAIGHT on main road, not toward Spencer Pond / Spencer Bay Road. Portland Image Source Portland is one of the internationally acclaimed and esteemed tourist destinations of Maine where tourists keep flocking throughout the year. Location: Ligonia, South Portland, ME 04106, USA. Up In The Rafters 14. That concludes our list of abandoned places in Maine, but that doesnt mean thats all there is to find. The fort was last used during World War II to store submarine mines. Abandoned America is a website by documentarian Matthew Christoper. 1 Thomas A. Hill House 159 Union Street, Bangor Currently acting as the Bangor Historical Society, this building was once the home to the mayors of Bangor in the 1800s. Youre in the right place. Of the nine crew members, only the pilot and navigator survived. East Haddam is home to an abandoned village that once was home to a thriving mill and almost became a Victorian Era tourist attraction. The businesses located on the island were forced to shut, causing the families to move elsewhere. Enjoy the whole atmosphere, including the pond and forest. How to Reach the Abandoned Ghost Trains of Maine, How to Get to the Abandoned Trains from Greenville/Kokadjo, https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/discover_history_explore_nature/history/allagash/tram.shtml, Camping in Seboomook, Maine Where to Stay, Aquaboggan Water Park Unofficial Insider Guide. Terry Ross / Flickr For major adventurers, there is the exciting Gulf Hagas, which features a waterfall that you can kayak over. The land is on private property with no current plans to release or demolish. The Nothing Part II 12. 11 Fun & Free Things to do in Portland Maine, 13 Haunted Places in New England That are Wicked Creepy, 15 Absolute Best Places to Visit in Maine, 15 Haunted Hotels in New England To Stay in If You Dare, 15 New England Islands to Visit This Summer, 15 Fantastic Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine. You'll love exploring all the different types of unique spots in the state. Established way back in 1668, the first settlers to the area laid their dead to rest in this serene spot. Acadia National Park is undoubtedly one of Maine's most famous tourist destinations. By keeping yourself safe and leaving the abandoned site intact, you get to enjoy an authentic experience that will hopefully be around for years to come. Among the rust and splintered floorboards, artifacts of an industry gone still remain. These abandoned places in Maine prove that better than anything. It's a great escape in the summer season when you want a break from all the heat. Abandoned Places In Alabama 1. No long forms. Download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will take care of the restfinding you extra coverage at the right price. Florence Berlin 4. Details on site. The ghost island still has five standing homes - each dating back to the 1700s. This story is no different. Wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes, . Urbex combines exploring urban and abandoned places. There are few better places to explore Maine's history and heritage. Location: Swan Island, Perkins Township, ME 04008, USA, photo by Ashley Frillman (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified. 5. Today, you can access the nearby old tracks by parking and walking from the Eastern Prom. We made our trip from Kokadjo, a very small spot north of Greenville where the pavement ends and the dirt roads begin. made everything simple! From self-starting unplugged electronics to poltergeist-like levitations and vandalism, Skowhegans Strand Cinema could bring a horror film to life better than most. Hop in the car and don't forget your camera! Of all the ghost towns in Maine, modestly sized Bucksport might have the scariest spots. From empty prison cells to mysterious nuclear laboratories, the US is full of fascinating, slightly unnerving places whose empty halls echo with the stories of past occupants.