Address: 1048 State Street, Bangor, Maine
Website: mthopebgr.com
Phone: (207) 945-6589
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
A Historic Landmark
Mount Hope Cemetery in Maine is one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the United States, established in 1834 by the Bangor Horticultural Society. At more than 300 acres, it is the nation’s second-oldest garden cemetery, modeled after Mount Auburn in Massachusetts.
The design by architect Charles G. Bryant blended rolling hills, ponds, winding paths, and carefully planned landscaping. By the late 20th century, it had expanded far beyond its original 50 acres, serving both as an active cemetery and as a public park-like space. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.
Notable Burials
The cemetery is the resting place for many prominent figures:
- Hannibal Hamlin – Vice President under Abraham Lincoln.
- Several Governors of Maine and U.S. Congressmen.
- Civil War generals and hundreds of soldiers.
- Al Brady, a notorious Depression-era gangster killed in a 1937 FBI shootout in downtown Bangor.
- Actors Richard Golden and Ralph Sipperly.
Because of its historical importance, the Bangor Historical Society offers themed walking tours that highlight both the famous and the forgotten buried here.
Paranormal Reputation
While it is a peaceful and scenic space by day, Mount Hope Cemetery has earned a haunted reputation. Visitors and paranormal investigators have shared unsettling stories:
- Apparitions and shadowy figures moving between gravestones.
- Whispering voices, sometimes described as those of children.
- Sudden cold spots and feelings of being watched.
- Legends of Al Brady’s ghost wandering the grounds, tied to his violent end in Bangor.
The cemetery’s ties to pop culture also amplify its reputation. Stephen King, who lives in Bangor, is said to have drawn character names from its gravestones. The cemetery was also featured in the 1989 film Pet Sematary, further cementing its eerie aura.
Tours and Ghost Walks
The Bangor Historical Society regularly hosts tours at Mount Hope Cemetery, including history-focused daytime walks and the popular “Darker Side of Mount Hope” tours in October. These highlight tragic stories, mysterious deaths, and the spookier legends surrounding the grounds.
Visitors should note that the cemetery is active and maintained, so all tours are conducted with respect for the families and the historic space.
Mount Hope Cemetery in Pop Culture
- Featured in Pet Sematary (1989), directed by Mary Lambert.
- Inspiration for character names in Stephen King’s novels, such as Carrie and Georgie.
- Subject of paranormal podcasts and investigations, including Haunted Walk’s episode on Bangor’s ghosts.
Final Thoughts
Mount Hope Cemetery is a rare combination of history, natural beauty, and legend. Whether you come for a quiet walk among the monuments or to join a ghost tour in October, it remains one of Bangor’s most intriguing and haunting landmarks.
⚠️ Safety Note: Never trespass on property outside of open hours or without permission. Ghost hunting and cemetery exploring can be dangerous — always use caution and respect the grounds.
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