New England Lighthouse Stories

 

Haunted Happenings in Salem, a Phantom Lighthouse Foghorn, and Cottage Ghosts on Bakers Island

Salem, Massachusetts, is widely known as the site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials in 1692, which involved false accusations of witchcraft against women and men. The trials led to nineteen hangings, one man being crushed to death, and seven others dying in prison. Many individuals from nearby towns were also imprisoned. Tourists can visit some of the city’s museums for historical context on that grim period.

Salem hosts numerous festivities throughout October, known as the “Salem Haunted Happenings,” with Halloween as the highlight. It’s a top destination for those who want to dress in costume and celebrate ghosts, witches, spirits, and the like. Visitors can attend the renowned annual parade, haunted houses, enjoy live music and theater, and meet and learn from actual witches—many of whom are now recognized as “healers.” The city is often nicknamed the “Halloween Capital of the World,” drawing many to events like the Salem Witches’ Circle and the Halloween Ball.

Part of Salem, Baker’s Island is one of the 15 islands known as the Miseries, located about five miles from Salem Harbor along the Massachusetts North Shore. The island features a newly renovated lighthouse and keeper’s house, along with summer cottages, a general store, and a pump house. The original Baker’s Island Light station, built in 1859, included two range light towers, but the shorter tower was deactivated and removed in 1926.

The Phantom Foghorn of Bakers Island Lighthouse

Problems with the fog signal date back to 1898, when the lighthouse used a fog bell. A group of former lighthouse keepers gathered on the island for a special reunion. That evening, as they waited on the pier for their ferry, they heard the fog bell echo loudly, though no one was operating it. Sadly, a fierce storm struck during their journey home, and their ferry capsized. All but one of the lighthouse keepers drowned. Many believe the fog bell rang unattended as a warning.

In 1907, a powerful new siren replaced the old fog bell. When it was first aimed at the inner island, it was so loud that farm animals grazing on the islanders’ properties fled as far as they could from the source. After some complaints, the siren was redirected toward the water, and the community expressed its gratitude. The fog siren remained in use until it was replaced by an air horn in 1959. In July 1967, the horn sounded for over 324 hours—nearly half the month—due to fog.

Over its history, the lighthouse’s fog signal has often sounded in the middle of the night during clear evenings, seemingly irritating Coast Guard personnel and visitors. The exact cause remains unknown, but many staff believe it’s a ghost that likes to play tricks on guests. This spirit seems to enjoy disrupting the sleep of lighthouse caretakers and residents, both summer and winter, by activating the foghorn. Interestingly, it sometimes refuses to operate when needed during foggy nights, yet works perfectly during the day.

Andy Jerome of the Bakers Island Association, who served as caretaker from 1983 to 1987, reported that the foghorn sounded “for no reason on crystal-clear nights.” Despite repeatedly reporting this to the Coast Guard, technicians never identified any problems during inspections. Jerome observed that the foghorn never “acted up” during the day; it only malfunctioned late at night.

The Cottage Ghosts of Bakers Island

Summer cottages on the island were first constructed in 1907, and many remain in the hands of their original wealthy families today. In winter, the island is largely deserted, with only the lighthouse keeper present.

Many of the old summer cottages are also said to be haunted. The Chase Cottage, the island’s largest building, has reportedly been haunted for years. Family members have claimed to see shadowy figures darting through the dimly lit halls, and at least one person has reported encountering an evil presence in the house.

Currently, only the island’s lighthouse has electricity; the cottages depend on gaslight. Paranormal investigators, invited by the owners, came to investigate unusual phenomena. However, once they arrived with their equipment, they quickly realized their devices had no power. Oops!

Most paranormal activity near the Baker’s Island cottages occurs in winter when the island is uninhabited. Caretakers have reported hearing noises resembling a party from Chase Cottage. At Wells Cottage, workers have encountered a “kissing ghost” that produces strange sounds. Lights are sometimes seen at the Nicholson house and the general store, even though both are closed during winter.

For the most part, the caretakers of Baker’s Island accept that dealing with the supernatural is simply part of the job. However, on cold winter nights, when the temperature drops well below zero and the caretaker, snug in his bed, is awakened by the relentless blast of the foghorn, Andy Jerome declares, “Then you lose patience with the ghosts real fast!”

Happy Halloween and celebrate October! Take a tour of the lighthouse and grounds to see the culture of the 1950s through the lighthouse’s restoration efforts.

Allan Wood

 

 

Books to Explore

America’s Boston Light:
Connected to History, Heroes, and Mystery

Celebrating 310 years, explore Boston Light’s history and its ties to historical events, shipwrecks, and rescues by its keepers and local lifesavers. Learn about its connections to famous heroes, notable figures like Ben Franklin, and intriguing mysteries.

 

New England’s Haunted Lighthouses:
Ghostly Legends and Maritime Mysteries

Uncover the mysteries of New England’s haunted lighthouses! Uncover ghostly tales of lingering keepers, victims of misfortune or local shipwrecks, lost souls, ghost ships, and more. Many of these accounts begin with actual historical events that later give rise to unexplained incidents. The story of Bakers Island is included above. Immerse yourself in the tales associated with these iconic beacons!

 

 

The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships:
Stories of the Six and Seven-Masted Coal Schooners of New England

In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This self-published book, rich in color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that accompanied these mighty ships.

Also available from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats for all devices.

 

Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England:
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

This 300-page book provides memorable human-interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses. You can explore plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions, including whale-watching excursions, lighthouse tours, windjammer sailing tours, parks, museums, and even lighthouses where you can stay overnight. You’ll also find plenty of stories of hauntings around lighthouses.

 

 

Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England:
New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

This 300-page book offers memorable human-interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses. It also describes and provides contact information for numerous indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours. These include whale watching, lighthouse tours, unique parks, museums, and lighthouses where you can stay overnight. There are also stories of haunted lighthouses in these regions.

 

Copyright © Allan Wood Photography; do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved.

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