In addition to being rich in natural beauty and history, Maine is home to a number of ghost towns, which are the remains of villages that were once vibrant but are now peacefully sleeping. These communities provide a spooky trip through Maine’s past, acting as time capsules. Here is a brief overview of five of the most fascinating ghost towns in Maine:
Freeman Township
Freeman Township is the first place on our list of abandoned towns in Maine. Located west of Falmouth, the town was established in 1797 as one of two relief grants in Maine. There were churches, train stations, and other enterprises in Freeman Township.
There was also a sawmill in the town at West Freeman. The settlement had a post office in 1880. Some people who worked in farming, logging, and fishing also called it home.
However, Freeman’s population fell with the Industrial Revolution, forcing many citizens to relocate. The town was consequently dissolved in 1973. There was a town government, a cemetery, and a school in the town. Before it closed, the population was estimated to be about 100.
Read More: Fading Memories: 5 Haunting Ghost Towns in Florida’s History
Askwith
Askwith had a timber business that was prospering before it was abandoned. It hired lumberjacks and carpenters. Up until the final company left in the late nineteenth century, the town was booming.
The town was also well-known for its abundant game and fishing. In actuality, there were a lot of British soldiers stationed here at the start of the American Revolution. Askwith had a post office, railroad station, and school in addition to the railway.
There are still some old buildings that remain standing, even if many of these structures have been abandoned. A few of these can be found on the town’s main thoroughfare.
Read More: Rustic Ruins: Uncovering Hidden Stories in Minnesota’s Ghost Towns
Riceville
The tannery that once surrounded Riceville, Maine, was the center of a bustling neighborhood that eventually burned down.
Enough of the town is lost to the forest, overgrown. It is reachable by traveling northeast of Old Town on a tote road. The road, known as Township 39, is muddy and overgrown. When you arrive in the village, the Riceville cemetery will be your first point of interest.
Even though this is one of Maine’s numerous abandoned ghost towns, adventurers can still discover abandoned buildings, misplaced relics, and other remnants of the town’s history.
Read More: Desolation Diaries: New Mexico’s Most Mysterious Abandoned Places and Their History
Perkins Township
One of Maine’s oldest ghost towns is Perkins Township, which dates back to its construction in 1763. There was a school, a few houses, and a cemetery in the town.
The settlement never truly took off in spite of this. The settlement had been abandoned by the 1940s, most likely as a result of flooding and agricultural difficulties.
Situated on an island, Perkins Township is one of the few abandoned villages in Maine and is now a part of the Steve Powell Wildlife Area. Thirteen distinct structures that were salvaged and are currently being maintained by the park are visible to explorers today.
Read More: The Flavorful Tale: Why This Austin Restaurant Became a Culinary Destination
Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Maine, a bustling village near the Dead River, was established prior to the 1950s. The settlement started out as a camp and expanded into a town.
It was the biggest town in the Valley by the middle of the 1930s. The town’s primary source of income was logging, but locals were evicted when the Central Maine Power Company intended to build a dam on the river to generate electricity.
Much of the town is submerged, but you can still view some of its artifacts and remains along Flagstaff Lake today.
Read More: What Led to This Ohio City’s Unfortunate Status as the Worst to Live In
To Conclude
Ghost towns in Maine provide a distinctive viewpoint on the state’s past. These abandoned locations serve as silent monuments to the constantly shifting tides of life.
They range from once-thriving settlements centered around industries like logging and tanneries (Freeman Township, Riceville) to peaceful communities affected by war (Askwith) and even natural disasters (Perkins Township, Flagstaff).
Maine’s ghost towns are waiting to be discovered, whether you’re interested in the region’s history or just want to have a creepy experience. As you enter these historical sites, keep in mind to use caution and respect.
