This Entire Neighborhood In Maine Was Mysteriously Abandoned

A visit to Maine reveals gorgeous coastline and wonderful forest. It’s relaxing, rejuvenating and special to the people that live here and visit. But, being an idyllic vacation destination doesn’t mean we’re perfect. Our history includes parts we’re not proud of, just like any other place.

Those looking to understand some of the most mysterious and awful parts of Maine history will find them at Malaga Island. This is the sad story of an island community forced to leave their homes and resettle elsewhere with little to no help from anyone.

Malaga Island is a small land mass off the coast, but within perfect view of Phippsburg.

Beginning around 1860, a small, racially mixed community existed on Malaga Island.

Many incorrectly believe that the community was made up of runaway slaves, which is simply not true.

Members of this community were actually descendants of families in the area going as far back as the 1700s and The American Revolution.

The island community worked in areas such as fishing, masonry, or carpentry.

In the late 1800s, immigration to America increased giving rise to the dangerous pseudoscience known as "eugenics."

Things got worse for Malaga Island as the economic situation in Maine deteriorated in the late 1800s.

Jobs in coastal towns disappeared and resources in the area became scarce.

In order to help residents, individual towns were expected to raise taxes or take people into homes.

As Malaga Island declined economically, the community was seen as unfit for a "real" life and it was depicted this way in papers across New England.

In 1911, Governor Frederick Plaisted visited Malaga and decided that the community must be moved.

In an illegal deal, Maine purchased the island and the 33 inhabitants were forced to move.

The residents were given a small amount of money, but the damage of eugenics had taken hold and few places in Maine were willing to let them stay.

Eventually, the remaining buildings were demolished, with the exception of the schoolhouse which was moved to a new place to become a church.

8 residents who were people of color or Native American were institutionalized at Pineland, referred to as The Maine Home for the Feeble-Minded at the time.

Sadly, it wasn't just living residents that were forced to go through a terrible relocation.

Many believe that the state did this as a way of covering up any signs of life having ever existed on Malaga Island.

Despite plans, Malaga Island was never developed and it sits empty even today.

Eugenics has no place in our world and the hope is that by telling this story, history will not repeat itself. For now, it’s a dark stain on Maine that we can only hope will be re-told to keep the memories of those that lived there alive.

One positive to come of some of the negative news coverage is that the island is now one of the best documented accounts of rural Black life in early 1900s America. The newspaper coverage allowed for the true experience to be shared. And, it’s a testament to the power of the press to share stories and true experiences.

For more history, please view this video which includes the work uncovered by a team at USM.

Maine has another deserted ghost town. This one is underwater and you can learn more about it here.

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This Entire Neighborhood In Maine Was Mysteriously Abandoned And Most Don't Know Why

Explore Maine

This Entire Neighborhood In Maine Was Mysteriously Abandoned And Most Don't Know Why

Michelle

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