Maine carries a tapestry of long-forgotten legends within its embrace, with its untamed landscapes and whispering pines. We discover five locations as we delve into the land of the abandoned, where the past lingers like morning mist over a peaceful lake and quiet speaks volumes.
These locations, which were once teeming with activity, now lie in peaceful seclusion and provide a hauntingly lovely link to a more serene time.
Come visit these five abandoned wonders in Maine with us as we travel through time, where every crumbling wall and empty road narrates a story of hopes, desires, and time’s unstoppable march.
Fort Gorges
After the War of 1812, Fort Gorges was constructed in the middle of the 1800s. In order to protect the Maine coastline, a network of other seaforts was connected to the fort. Unfortunately, the conflict was ended by the time the fort was finished.
Explosives had advanced to the point where the fort was no longer useful. The financing for the planned modernization of the fort eventually ran out. The fort was last utilized as a submarine mine storage facility during World War II. It has been gradually degrading the sea’s salinity and strong winds.
Because Fort Gorges is located on a small island, getting there will require a boat or some swimming gear.
Read More:Â Thrills Turned Chills: The Mysterious Abandonment of a West Virginia Amusement Park
Evergreen Ski Resort
Developers had envisioned Evergreen Valley as a quaint little ski town in the early 1960s, complete with restaurants, lifts, and chalets for the winter. It would take some time, but by 1970 the 1,050 acres had been turned into a ski bum’s paradise, having cost $4.5 million.
Evergreen Valley performed well in the 1970s but had difficulties. The businesses were put under strain after several years of little to no snowfall, and the snow machines that were meant to function kept breaking down and not producing enough snow for skiing.
The resort was under foreclosure by 1975. Although there were several little attempts, none of them succeeded in bringing the enterprises back to life. Remains of the several ski lift cabins are still visible today along the hillside.
Read More:Â Silent Streets: The Haunting History of Georgia’s Ghost Towns
Eagle Lake Locomotives
Before 1930, enterprising lumberjacks were trying to figure out how to get logs of tough spruce over Eagle Lake and Churchhill. The railroad was, of course, the best alternative, and the rails were completed in a few of years. Two steam-powered locomotives that are still in use today arrived with those tracks.
About a dozen cars loaded with pulpwood would be transported by the steam engines from Eagle Lake to Umbazooksus Lake. It was a quick excursion, taking only roughly three hours. This was a major factor in the Great Northern Paper Company’s success, since it met nearly half of the paper needs in the US.
Many businesses chose to switch from using trains to trucks after the Second World War. The trains were idle and the ancient rail route was forgotten.
Read More: Ghostly Grounds: Georgia’s Most Haunted – Mount Hope Cemetery’s Spooky Tale
Battery Steele
In 1942, Battery Steele was built in reaction to threats to the coast during World War II. This was one of the biggest gun batteries in the whole country.
The fort was gradually dismantled and subsequently abandoned after the close of World War II, much like many other coast forts.
The deserted fort was acquired by the Peaks Island Land Preserve in 1995, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
The resilient concrete fort has weathered the test of time despite years of neglect. Although there are many tags inside and along the walls, the site is still very intact. Battery Steele is the only spot in Maine to find deserted areas with access to the beach.
Read More: Haunted Routes: Dead Woman’s Crossing and the Ghostly Road of Oklahoma
Old Town Civil Defense Bunker
In order to withstand bombings during an enemy attack, the Old Town bunker was constructed in 1965. The rooms below ground comprise about 8,000 square feet in size.
Unfortunately, the bunker was judged insufficient for defense in the modern day because to developments in armament.
If you’re in the region, the bunker is a well-known local attraction that you should definitely check out. The doors have been welded shut due to popularity.
In any case, it’s still a cool location, particularly in the fall. Just remember that if you’re looking for completely accessible abandoned bunkers, this isn’t the place to go.
Read More:Â Haunted by History: The Moonville Tunnel’s Ghostly Legacy and Haunted Depths
To Conclude
Every location has a different narrative to tell, whether it is about the Cold War fears represented by Battery Steele or the inventiveness of the Eagle Lake Locomotives. One relic from a bygone era is the locked Old Town Civil Defense Bunker.
Thus, the next time you’re in Maine, venture off the usual route and discover these hidden treasures. Accept the eerie beauty and engrossing tales they have to tell; these quiet sentinels are reminders of the history of Maine’s lasting influence.
