Higher education in Maine is taken pretty seriously. It’s no surprise in a state with as many colleges and universities as Maine. From Colby to Bowdoin, Unity to USM, at any given time there are A LOT of people learning here! While there are lots of schools to choose from, there’s one you might want to pay special attention to if you’re into the spooky, creepy side of Maine. We were surprised to learn that Orono just might count as the most haunted city in Maine!
auvet / Flickr
- Ayers Island, Penobscot Bay, Orono
Google Maps
mypubliclands / Flickr Ayers Island is home to what was once a fully operational local mill. Over the years, there were a number of gruesome accidents and eventually it was shut down. While the island is now privately owned, people have explored it and returned with eerie stories. It’s said to be haunted by the ghost of one of the former workers, who died in a strange and mysterious accident while at the mill. Another story says that the daughter of a local mill worker haunts the property, after being killed accidentally by her father. Feelings of sadness have overcome those exploring the island, along with the not-too-surprising sense of terror.
- Coburn Hall, University of Maine, Orono
auvet / Flickr
mrtidd / Flickr While Coburn Hall is not currently in use, many people assume it’s haunted because it’s one of the oldest buildings on campus. Today, the inside is completely abandoned, which feels pretty creepy to use even if it isn’t haunted!
- Balentine Hall, University of Maine, Orono
Google Maps
caitlinator / Flickr Balentine was once a female-only dorm with a notoriously strict dorm mother. She spent her evenings roaming the halls, making sure that nobody was breaking the rules by letting a male inside. It’s reported that she once said that if the dorm ever became co-ed, she’d spend the afterlife haunting the place. Seems she’s made good on that promise. Students on the third floors report hearing footsteps above them, even though the fourth and top floors are totally closed.
- Somerset Hall, University of Maine, Orono
Google Maps
svenstorm / Flickr This is another fairly straight-forward haunting. The basement of this building is said to be haunted by students and teachers of the past. Current residents report strange “feelings” when being in the basement, as well as unexpected voices carrying through deserted hallways.
- Estabrooke Hall, University of Maine, Orono
Google Maps
tokyoblues / Flickr Estabrooke is said to be the inspiration for parts of The Shining. For good reason! The ballroom is reportedly haunted by the ghosts of dancers past. The upper floors are dorms and students report feeling “strange” when there, as well as hearing unexplained sounds and voices.
- Gannett Hall, University of Maine, Orono
Google Maps
Smabs Sputzer / Flickr This haunting is pretty by the book! Strange noises carry up the stairs and doors and windows can be opened and closed without a (human) soul in sight!
- Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, University of Maine, Orono
Google Maps
amneziak83 / Flickr A happy ghost story! Evelyn was once the house mother for this fraternity. She died a natural death inside the house, and today she watches over the brothers to make sure they’re doing the right thing. Rumor has it that she keeps things light…unless she thinks the brothers are making the wrong choices in love!
For more of Maine’s creepy side, check out these 21 photos and the story of the now-defunct Augusta Mental Health Institute.
auvet / Flickr
Google Maps
mypubliclands / Flickr
Ayers Island is home to what was once a fully operational local mill. Over the years, there were a number of gruesome accidents and eventually it was shut down. While the island is now privately owned, people have explored it and returned with eerie stories. It’s said to be haunted by the ghost of one of the former workers, who died in a strange and mysterious accident while at the mill. Another story says that the daughter of a local mill worker haunts the property, after being killed accidentally by her father. Feelings of sadness have overcome those exploring the island, along with the not-too-surprising sense of terror.
mrtidd / Flickr
While Coburn Hall is not currently in use, many people assume it’s haunted because it’s one of the oldest buildings on campus. Today, the inside is completely abandoned, which feels pretty creepy to use even if it isn’t haunted!
caitlinator / Flickr
Balentine was once a female-only dorm with a notoriously strict dorm mother. She spent her evenings roaming the halls, making sure that nobody was breaking the rules by letting a male inside. It’s reported that she once said that if the dorm ever became co-ed, she’d spend the afterlife haunting the place. Seems she’s made good on that promise. Students on the third floors report hearing footsteps above them, even though the fourth and top floors are totally closed.
svenstorm / Flickr
This is another fairly straight-forward haunting. The basement of this building is said to be haunted by students and teachers of the past. Current residents report strange “feelings” when being in the basement, as well as unexpected voices carrying through deserted hallways.
tokyoblues / Flickr
Estabrooke is said to be the inspiration for parts of The Shining. For good reason! The ballroom is reportedly haunted by the ghosts of dancers past. The upper floors are dorms and students report feeling “strange” when there, as well as hearing unexplained sounds and voices.
Smabs Sputzer / Flickr
This haunting is pretty by the book! Strange noises carry up the stairs and doors and windows can be opened and closed without a (human) soul in sight!
amneziak83 / Flickr
A happy ghost story! Evelyn was once the house mother for this fraternity. She died a natural death inside the house, and today she watches over the brothers to make sure they’re doing the right thing. Rumor has it that she keeps things light…unless she thinks the brothers are making the wrong choices in love!
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