The Haunting of the Wood Island Lighthouse
The Wood Island Lighthouse, located in Saco, Maine, is a picturesque and historically significant landmark nestled on 35 acres of seaside wilderness. While it offers stunning views of the surrounding area, it is also known for its haunted reputation, which dates back to the 1890s after a tragic murder-suicide incident. Let’s delve into the history of the location and explore the reported hauntings in more detail.
The History of the Wood Island Lighthouse:
The story behind the haunting at Wood Island Lighthouse centers around a disturbing event that took place on June 1, 1896. Frederick Milliken, a sheriff’s deputy, lobster fisherman, and father of three children, allowed local fishermen Howard Hobbs and William Moses to rent his chicken shack. However, as time passed, the renters fell behind on their rent payments, prompting Milliken to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter.
During the meeting, tensions escalated, and Hobbs and Moses, who were intoxicated and armed with rifles, got into a heated argument with Milliken. In a tragic turn of events, Hobbs accidentally discharged his rifle, fatally shooting Milliken in the stomach. Hobbs and Moses, filled with remorse, carried Milliken into his house. Hobbs, still carrying his rifle, sought help from the lighthouse keeper, Thomas Orcutt, at the Wood Island Lighthouse. Upon their return, they discovered that Milliken had already succumbed to his injuries. Overwhelmed by guilt, Hobbs wrote a letter in the chicken shack and ultimately took his own life.
Following these tragic events, the Wood Island Lighthouse continued to serve as a beacon of light for sailors navigating the treacherous waters off the coast of Maine. However, the lighthouse keepers who succeeded Thomas Orcutt would soon experience paranormal phenomena that solidified its haunted reputation.
Is the Lighthouse Haunted?
The first documented account of hauntings at the Wood Island Lighthouse came from Charles Burke, who served as the lighthouse keeper after Orcutt. In 1905, Burke left the lighthouse unattended for a night and sought refuge at a boarding house on the mainland due to the incessant screams and cries he claimed to hear from two male ghosts. Tragically, the following day, Burke met his untimely demise by jumping out of a three-story window, seemingly unable to escape the torment of the spirits.
The hauntings at Wood Island Lighthouse manifest in various eerie forms. Visitors and subsequent lighthouse keepers have reported strange noises, agonizing moans, disembodied voices, the sound of a woman crying, and even doors mysteriously unlocking themselves. Many believe that the crying woman is Milliken’s grief-stricken wife, while the moans are believed to be Milliken’s final sounds as he lay dying.
Due to the persistent reports of paranormal activity, the Wood Island Lighthouse has become a focal point for paranormal investigations. Numerous teams of paranormal researchers and investigators have conducted studies and gathered evidence to support the claims of hauntings at this historic location.
To explore more about the hauntings at Wood Island Lighthouse and the documented investigations, you can refer to reputable sources such as “Haunted Lighthouses of New England” by Jeremy D’Entremont and “Ghost Hunting in Maine” by Maureen Wood. These sources provide in-depth accounts and documented evidence of the reported paranormal activity at the Wood Island Lighthouse.
Wood Island Lighthouse Address: Wood Island, Saco, ME 04072
As you visit this beautiful and historic lighthouse, take in the breathtaking scenery, but be prepared to immerse yourself in the rich history and ghostly tales that have made the Wood Island Lighthouse a renowned paranormal destination.
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