To an outsider, Maine may simply be a beautiful state with idyllic coastline and delectable lobster. But, once you get to know us a bit better, you’ll find that we have our fair share of strange “stuff.” Between our many hauntings and downright wacky places to visit, Maine isn’t always what it appears to be. The perfect example? The real story behind Flagstaff Lake and what lies beneath its surface. Of all the ghost towns in Maine, Flagstaff Lake just might be the most intriguing.

pfly / Flickr
Imagine building a life with family, friends and beautiful surroundings. Imagine sending your kids to school each day, knowing they're being raised in a community with strong values, good friendships and unwavering support. Now, imagine that one day you learn all of that will soon end. Not only are you being forced to leave your home, but all traces of your existence there will be erased. It's a nightmare. And it's one that the communities of Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation lived through in the early 1950s.
Main Street of Flagstaff Village.
Dead River Area Historical Society
The first permanent settlers of Flagstaff Village, which took its name from the flagpole erected by Benedict Arnold and his men, came in the 1800s. Drawn by the rich soil found in the Dead River floodplain and timber resources, those who called the area home were rewarded with the eventual creation of a gristmill and sawmill. This led to additional settlement of the surrounding areas of Dead River and Bigelow Plantations. Life was not without hardship, but it was a beloved community. That is, until 1949.
Dead River Area Historical Society / Facebook
In the mid-1900s, in an effort to consolidate Maine’s electrical poduction, Walter Wyman of the Central Maine Power Company (CMP) began acquiring local power companies. Soon, CMP was building hydroelectric dams in Maine. To continue and expand, Wyman recognized the need to build a dam that would control the waters of the Kennebec River. This plan would only be approved by Maine legislature if he agreed to lease the land that was to be in the flood zone.
Dead River Area Historical Society / Facebook
Wyman wasn't interested in that expense. But he WAS interested in a plan that put Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation in the way of ultimate destruction. This plan meant the construction of a dam in the Dead River at Long Falls. By 1930, CMP was buying land from Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation. By 1948, the land was cleared. By 1949 it was burning, smoke billowing for miles.

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In 1950, Long Falls Dam was built and lives were forever changed.
Dead River Area Historical Society / Facebook
The top photo below is the home of Mae Savage. Below it, is what became of her home when the diverted waters of the Dead River overtook it.
Dead River Area Historical Society
Many of the town's important buildings, such as the schoolhouse, were demolished, while some of the lucky ones were moved. But, the most unfortunate of cases were the folks that never came to a monetary agreement with CMP. These homes simply remained, waiting for the incoming flood waters to overcome them.
Kingfield Historical Society via Dead River Area Historical Society / Facebook
In July of 1949, the town of Flagstaff Village had one last hoorah. In a two-day event that brought out 300 people, local folks somberly remembered all that had been built – family, community and love – over the last century. During the celebration, the clearing fires blazed sending smoke above the town revelers. It was surely an unnecessary reminder of what was to come.
pfly/Flickr
Most residents relocated to the nearby areas of Eustis and Stratton. But, their families have not forgotten about the town their loved ones once called home. The Dead River Area Historical Society does an incredible job creating events and curating collections to ensure that these lost communities are not forgotten. Visit them on Facebook for an incredible collection of photos and information.

Today, Flagstaff Lake offers a respite from busy days in Maine. But, below are the fading foundations and reminders of a community that flourished. There was a time when some even reported finding relics, such as cutlery, of days gone by near the shores. The next time you visit, take a moment to remember your past and those whose past lies beneath the surface of Flagstaff Lake.

Did you grow up in Flagstaff Village or Dead River Plantation? We’d love to hear your story! Or, have you been to Flagstaff Lake? Does knowing the story change how you feel about it?

Love the paranormal? For more about the haunted cemeteries, frightening tales, and ghost towns in Maine, check out this article: The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Maine.

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Ghost towns in Maine

Sarah | August 12, 2021

Are there many haunted places in Maine?

While Flagstaff Lake may be the creepiest of all the ghost towns in Maine, it's by no means the only haunted locale. If you’re a believer of the supernatural or paranormal, you might want to visit the little town of Skowhegan, Maine. It’s supposedly the home of several haunted spots, and the stories of these places will give you goosebumps. Settled in 1771, it's long been the subject of local lore and legend. If you're looking for ghosts here, the first place to visit is the Strand Theater, where many employees and some visitors have reported seeing the fleeting figure of a woman... and those who work here late at night hear noises behind the movie screen and in the basement after the theater is closed! Lake George Regional Park is another place inMaine  that's said to be haunted -- some people say they've seen odd lights and orbs, and have heard noises they simply cannot explain.

What are some other creepy places in Maine?

Nestled in the tiny town of Windham, Anderson Cemetery lays claim to numerous terrifying tales of the paranormal, including loud bangs coming from the crypt of the Anderson family. The startling noises, however, are the mildest of what happens on these cemetery grounds. An angry man is believed to roam the cemetery, his face often appearing in pictures and his voice often heard when no one is around. Terrified visitors also claim that after leaving their car doors unlocked, the locks then move up and down on their own. You can read more about this haunted cemetery in Maine in our previous article.

Are there any haunted lighthouses in Maine?

In a state that's known for its lighthouses, you'd better believe there's a lighthouse or two said to be haunted! Seguin Lighthouse, for example, is one of the state's most glorious lighthouses, but its beauty is masked by a bleak darkness that occurred within back in the late 1800s. Back then, a caretaker and his wife lived in the lighthouse, isolated from most people. To help his wife combat the boredom, the caretaker purchased a piano for her, not knowing she really didn’t have any musical talent. Still, she could play one song, and that's exactly what she did. Over and over. Again. And again. The repetitiveness ate at the caretaker’s soul until he grabbed an ax (!), destroyed the piano, then killed his wife and himself. If you happen to be near the lighthouse, especially on a foggy evening, listen carefully -- you may hear the haunting melodies in the air!

 

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