The Haunted Bar That’s Been Around Since Before Maine Was Even A State
From having the oldest house on the real estate market for sale here to an impressively dated apple orchard, it’s clear that the state of Maine has been churning and moving long before any of us ever got here. And, with all that history comes the inevitable tales of ghosts and goblins. Okay, maybe more ghosts than goblins. Honestly, we don’t even know that a goblin is. Regardless, this tavern is reportedly haunted and it’s been around since before Maine was even Maine. Pretty impressive! If you’ve been here, we’d love to hear your stories. Have you encountered a ghost? Or just the ghost of your past decisions over a few whiskeys?
Originally built as a family home for local doctor, John Anglier Hyde, the Jameson Tavern has been around since 1779.
If you’re up on your Maine history (as we know you all are!) you’ll remember that Maine didn’t become a state until 1820, giving the house a more than 40 year jump on the state’s history.
The Hyde family lived in the home until 1801 when it was bought by Captain Samuel Jameson. This is when Captain Jameson and his wife created "Jameson’s Tavern." It remained a tavern under this name until 1828 when the captain's widow sold it to Richard Codman.
Here we take a detour. From 1828 until 1856, Jameson’s Tavern was actually operated as an inn known as Codman’s Tavern. In 1856 the home changed hands again when it was bought by local shipbuilder, John Cushing.
Given how many people both lived here and slept here, it’s not surprising that it’s reported to be haunted. Two different psychics have reported seeing a man in a top hat standing in the hallway where guests enter the tavern.
Another more common apparition is that of a young girl believed to be named "Emily." Thought to have died in a fire in the attic room, she’s a playful ghost who likes to go behind corners and have fun.
Records show that commissioners met in the northeast corner of the second floor of the inn to sign the papers that gave Maine independence from Massachusetts. Today, a plaque placed by the Daughters of the Revolution in 1914 commemorates the event.
The tavern's Freeport location made it a good stopping point between Portland and cities further north, making it the perfect place for people like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Franklin Pierce to stop en route to Bowdoin.
The current owners purchased the tavern in 1981 and today, a walk through the halls will give visitors a sense of what it may have looked like back in 1779.
However, The Jameson Tavern is, first and foremost, a great restaurant.
You can find Jameson Tavern at 115 Main Street, Freeport, Maine. Check them out online for more information on their fascinating history, or visit them them on Facebook. You can call them on (207) 865-4196. Jameson’s Tavern is open everyday from 11am to 9pm.
Maine’s oldest operating inn might not be haunted, but it’s a cool place to learn about. Check it out here!
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. 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. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
