Address: Seguin Island, near Popham Beach, Phippsburg, Maine.
Access: Only reachable by private boat, charter boat, or seasonal ferry services.
History of Seguin Island Lighthouse
Seguin Island Lighthouse stands on a rugged island off the coast of Maine, guarding the mouth of the Kennebec River. Established in 1795 under President George Washington, it is one of Maine’s oldest and most storied lighthouses. The current tower, built in 1857, is the highest lighthouse in the state, sitting 186 feet above sea level.
The lighthouse was essential for guiding ships through the busy shipping lanes leading to Bath, Maine, home to one of the country’s most important shipbuilding industries. Its First Order Fresnel lens, still in use today, is a rare and treasured piece of Maine maritime history.
Seguin Island’s isolation, created a tough life for lighthouse keepers and their families. Fierce storms, long winters, and supply delays often left those stationed here in near-total solitude.
Hauntings and Ghost Stories
Seguin Island Lighthouse is not only famous for its history, but also for its ghost stories that have been passed down for generations.
The Keeper’s Wife and the Piano
One of the most well-known legends is about a lighthouse keeper in the 1800s who bought a piano for his wife to ease her loneliness. She learned only one tune, which she played incessantly. Driven to madness by the endless repetition, the keeper supposedly destroyed the piano with an axe and, in some tellings, murdered his wife as well.
Visitors and caretakers have claimed that on quiet nights, the faint sound of piano music drifts from the old keeper’s quarters, even though there is no piano in the house.
The Young Girl
Another spirit said to linger on Seguin is that of a young girl who died on the island. People have reported hearing laughter, footsteps, and even seeing the figure of a child playing on the grounds near the keeper’s house.
The Groundskeeper’s Ghost
Some volunteers and Coast Guard personnel have reported a tall figure in a dark uniform appearing in the lighthouse or walking the island’s paths. Believers claim this could be a former keeper still tending to the light.
Visiting Seguin Island Lighthouse
Today, Seguin Island Lighthouse is maintained by the non-profit Friends of Seguin Island Light Station. In summer, visitors can take seasonal ferry trips or private charters to the island. Volunteers often stay on site to give tours of the tower, museum, and keeper’s house.
- Accessibility: Only by boat. Trips depart from Phippsburg or Boothbay Harbor in summer months.
- Tours: Seasonal, usually late May through Labor Day.
- Hiking: Visitors can explore trails around the island.
Ghost hunting is not permitted on the island, as it is federally owned and maintained for preservation. However, guests are welcome to hear the ghost stories during their tour and enjoy the rich maritime history.
Conclusion
Seguin Island Lighthouse is more than just Maine’s tallest lighthouse, it’s a place where history and legend intertwine. Its stories of isolation, tragedy, and lingering spirits make it one of the most captivating haunted lighthouses in New England.
Remember: never trespass on property without permission. Ghost hunting can be dangerous, and when visiting remote sites like Seguin Island, always use caution.
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