From the Sabattus boy who journeyed down a well, to the tale of the Haynesville bride, Maine has no shortage of ghost stories to keep you awake at night. But, if you’ve heard them all and then heard them all again, your fright level might be reaching dangerously low levels. Good thing we’ve got some cemeteries that are rich with history…and possibly otherworldly activity. Here are just a few of the oldest cemeteries in Maine that have us both thinking about our state’s past and wondering what would happen during an after-dark visit.

1. Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor
Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. & Crematory, 1048 State St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Lawrence Whittemore / Flickr
Starting off our list of haunted cemeteries in Maine is Mount Hope Cemetery. It is truly beautiful, but it comes with its fair share of creepiness. Stephen King agreed and made it one of the filming locations for the movie adaptation of "Pet Sematary" - among the scariest movies ever made. Al Brady, one of the FBI's most wanted was killed in a bloody shoot-out on Central Street in Bangor. His body can be found here - possibly in a ghostly form at night. Visit Mount Hope Cemetery's website.
2. Western Cemetery, Portland
Western Cemetery, Western Prom & Vaughan S, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Corey Templeton / Flickr
Western Cemetery was founded in 1829 and was the primary cemetery in the city from 1829–1852. Named of its West End location, it was plagued with disorganized management and many grave desecrations. According to history books, many graves have been dug up for examination and were found to be empty. Included in this list of empty graves are the parents of Portland's famous poet Longfellow. Where did they go? Were they ever there? Read more about Western Cemetery.
3. Harpswell Meeting House Cemetery, Harpswell
Harpswell Meetinghouse, 917 Harpswell Neck Rd, Harpswell, ME 04079, USA
smilla4 / Flickr
This Maine cemetery, located just behind the meeting house in town, has been in used since the 1700s. Elisha Eaton, the Reverend appointed in 1753 is buried here, along with many of the early settlers of the town. It was in use until about 1900 when the decision was made to stop any new burials. Why? Because every time a new grave was dug, an old grave was uncovered. Sounds a bit crowded to me. Learn more about the Harpswell Historical Society Old Meeting House.
4. The Old York Burying Ground, York
York, ME, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Rumored to be a witch, Mary Nasson was buried here in 1774. Her grave is reportedly haunted, which is why you'll see her long headstone covering most of where her body is. Apparently, her ghost has a habit of rising from the grave. Check out more about The Old York Burying Ground.
5. Buck Cemetery, Bucksport
Buck Cemetery, Bucksport, ME 04416, USA
smilla4 / Flickr
Mark Plummer / Flickr
Buck Cemetery's most famous resident is Bucksport founder, Colonel Buck. Legend has it that Colonel Buck condemned a so-called "witch" to burn at the stake - an ordeal which only her leg survived. So a curse was called down upon Buck by the poor victim's deformed son, who proclaimed that Buck's tomb would bear the mark of the witch's foot for all eternity. And so it does. Buck's heirs twice tried replacing the tombstone to rid it of the accursed stain, but to no avail. It just keeps coming back. This is definitely a haunted Maine cemetery. Find out more about Buck Cemetery.

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6. Seaview Cemetery, Blue Hill
Seaview Cemetery Rockland ME, Rockport, ME 04856, USA
smilla4 / Flickr
Seaview Cemetery includes some very old graves. The oldest goes back to the early 1800s. But, the real mystery in Blue Hill is of the "missing" cemetery. According to records from the town's founding, the residents voted to clear a plot of land for burials in 1767. Records also indicated that there were, indeed, deaths that occurred during this time, including some of the early settlers. However, the earliest headstone in the entire town of Blue Hill dates to only 1800. Where are all the people who passed away before that?
7. Lane Family Cemetery, Lane's Island (Vinalhaven)
Lane Family Cemetery, Vinalhaven, ME 04863, USA
Michelle Starin
Named for an early European settler, Captain Timothy Lane, the small Lane Island is home to the burial plot of his family. Ranging from small children to those much older, this tiny plot feels lonely and almost forgotten.
8. Pet Cemetery, Mackworth Island
Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME, USA
David Fulmer / Flickr
Sam T / Flickr
Strange Mackworth Island is home to a small pet cemetery. You'll find the former Governor, Percival Baxter's beloved Irish setters and Jerry Roan, his horse buried here, along with a few other loved animals. Rest in Peace Jerry. According to your tombstone's inscription, you were "a noble horse and a kind friend." Fun fact: Upon donating the island, Baxter's only stipulation was that his pet's graves remain undisturbed.
9. The North Manchester Meeting House & Cemetery, Manchester
Manchester, ME, USA
Kate Hannon / Flickr
Peter Roome / Flickr
As Manchester grew in size, the construction of Scribner Road began. The story goes that a worker involved in the project came across a large, unmoveable rock impeding the continued construction. After working with the rock for some time, he eventually proclaimed it impossible and swore that he would sell his soul to the devil if the rock could be moved.

The next day, the worker was nowhere to be found. He had, seemingly vanished into thin air. However, the rock was gone. It had been moved out of the way of construction and the road could now be completed as planned.

However, there was a strange difference in the rock. Two distinct markings had been placed on the face of the rock. One, in the clear shape of a cloven hoof and the other, in the strange formation of two feet. The markings are said to have been placed by the devil himself, proof that the construction worker had, indeed, sold his soul in order to have the rock moved. The stone can be seen clearly embedded within the wall of the nearby cemetery in North Manchester. Read more about The North Manchester Meeting House.
10. Cemetery at Douglas Hill, Sebago
Douglas Hill, Sebago, ME 04029, USA
Jack Flanagan / Flickr
There are times when the light hits the land just right. When the fog sits in just a certain way. A cemetery may not come with famous historical stories or tales of hauntings, but sometimes you just get an eerie feeling when looking at it.

Do you have any good Maine cemetery history stories? Let us know over on our Facebook page!

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Oldest Cemetery in Maine

Danielle Schwartz | June 11, 2022

Are there any haunted places in Maine?

If you're a fan of the paranormal, there are plenty of spots you'll love in our state. In fact, there is a whole road trip full of haunted places in Maine that will creep you out in the best way possible. From Colonel Buck's tomb, cursed by a witch who was burned at the stake, to the ghost of The White Lady of Brownville Road on Maine Route 11, you'll be haunted by all sorts of spirits.

Are there any ghost towns in Maine?

There are absolutely ghost towns here. One of the best ghost towns in Maine is Swan Island. Found on the Kennebec River, you can only access it by ferry, or if you're feeling adventurous, by kayak or canoe. The town has been there for about 300 years, so there have been plenty of spirits passing through. If you want to feel their presence fully, you can stay overnight at the campgrounds.

Are there any haunted hotels in Maine?

There are several haunted hotels in Maine! One of our favorites is the famous Herbert Grand Hotel, found in Kingfield. There have been numerous ghost sightings here, mostly in the form of the former politicians who used to frequent the hotel. In the 1800s, the Herbert Grand Hotel was best known for its secret forbidden alcohol and "women of ill repute," and you'll see the ghosts of the politicians and as well as their female companions.

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