Mount Hope Cemetery – Haunted Cemetery in Bangor, Maine

Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, Maine, is one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the United States. Established in the 19th century, this sprawling burial ground is the final resting place of many historical figures. However, it is also rumored to be a site of eerie paranormal activity.

Visitors and ghost hunters alike report shadowy figures among the tombstones, whispers on the wind, and chilling encounters with ghostly apparitions.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1834
• Original Purpose: Public cemetery and memorial park
• Significant Events:
  • Mount Hope is the second-oldest garden cemetery in the U.S., designed as a tranquil resting place for the deceased.
  • It holds the graves of notable individuals, including Civil War veterans and famous author Stephen King’s ancestors.
  • Over the years, mourners and visitors have claimed to witness supernatural occurrences, some dating back to the early 1900s.

Paranormal Activity Summary

• Common Reports:
  • Unexplained cold spots, even in the summer
  • The feeling of being watched or followed along the winding paths
  • Strange lights flickering among the graves at night
  • Disembodied whispers and soft cries in the distance
• Notable Ghostly Figures:
  • A shadowy figure in black seen standing near old headstones, only to vanish upon approach
  • Apparitions of mourning women dressed in 19th-century clothing
  • A ghostly soldier, believed to be a Civil War veteran, seen wandering near the war memorial

Ghost Stories & Reports

• The Weeping Woman: Local lore tells of a grief-stricken mother who lost her child and was buried at Mount Hope. Her spirit is said to roam the cemetery, sobbing near an unmarked grave. Some claim to hear soft crying when passing by at night.
• The Vanishing Caretaker: Several visitors have described seeing an elderly man in period clothing tending to the graves. When they approach to speak with him, he disappears without a trace.
• The Soldier’s Shadow: A spectral figure in a faded Civil War uniform has been reported standing near the cemetery’s war memorial. Some claim he salutes before vanishing into thin air.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

• The oldest section of the cemetery, where some of the earliest graves lie, is known as the most paranormally active area. Visitors report sudden temperature drops and an overwhelming feeling of unease.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: Free
• Tour Availability: No official paranormal tours, but the cemetery offers historical tours during certain times of the year.
• Photography Allowed? Yes, but visitors are advised to be respectful.
• Visiting Hours: Dawn to dusk

Best Time to Visit

• Fall and early winter – Many ghost sightings and eerie occurrences have been reported during these seasons, especially near Halloween.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

• Several paranormal investigators have visited Mount Hope Cemetery, capturing EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and unexplained movements on night vision cameras.
• The cemetery has been referenced in ghost hunting forums and local paranormal lore but remains relatively undiscovered compared to more famous haunted locations.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• Visitors are strongly advised not to visit after dark, as the cemetery is officially closed and patrolled at night.
• The cemetery has uneven terrain, so caution is needed when walking through older sections.