With a history as old at Massachusetts’, it’s not at all surprising that we have our fair share of ghost stories. While some states have haunted houses and hotels, we appreciate that we’ve got an actual haunted lighthouse. But, what’s the background? It’s not pretty, but it provides an interesting glimpse into history from back in the 1800s.

About a half-mile off the coast of Cohasset and Scituate you’ll find Minot’s Ledge Light. Considered the most dangerous lighthouse in the country, it’s where the most tragic lighthouse-related disaster in American history took place. And the victims of the tragedy are said to still spend their days lingering here.
masstravel / Flickr
The area around Minot’s Ledge is notoriously dangerous, filled with jagged rocks hiding beneath the surface. These rocks often ruined the hulls of ships, breaking them apart and drowning the sailors. Often these folks died well-within sight of land.
Minot’s Ledge meant to help make the Cohasset waters safer for boats and sailors, but many folks died before this happened.
cmhpictures / Flickr
The original light was built in 1860, but it was widely rumored to be structurally dangerous. Over the years, many keepers warned that the lighthouse would never make it through a serious storm. But, these warnings were not heeded.
Problems arose on April 11th of 1851. In operation for less than a year, the keeper John Bennet went to shore for what was to be a quick trip. Joseph Wilson and Joseph Antoine, two assistants, were left behind to keep things running.
nu_husky_91 / Flickr
But, that night there was a huge storm and Bennet the keeper was unable to return. He watched as his beloved lighthouse and assistants endured the storm. Even more eerie is that the fog bell tolled throughout the storm. Some believe this was the final goodbye from the two men left at the lighthouse.

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Finally, at 10 p.m., the light shone for the last time.
cmhpictures / Flickr
When the storm was gone, the light of the day revealed that the lighthouse had vanished. Left behind was a note in a bottle from the two men that washed ashore. It said, "The lighthouse won’t stand over to night. She shakes 2 feet each way now. God bless you all. J.W. + J.A."
The bodies were found on nearby beaches, but the sad story became even more upsetting. It seems Joseph Wilson had died from exhaustion and exposure at Nantasket. This indicates that he had survived the storm and the lighthouse destruction, making it to shore alive.
cmhpictures / Flickr
The new lighthouse was built soon after in 1860. While this is the same lighthouse you can see today, some believe it to be cursed. Keepers don’t stay at their posts very long. Many of them say there’s an uncomfortable feeling of dread and unease throughout the area.
One lighthouse keeper was driven mad during his tenure. He reported not being able to sleep as a result of the constant ringing of the fog bell. But, the lighthouse is so close to shore, folks on the mainland knew the bell rarely rang.
cmh2315fl / Flickr
Other keepers have reported seeing two ghosts with lanterns and hearing a phantom fog bell when none was ringing.

If that’s not enough spookiness for you today, why not hop in the car for something a little more interactive? This haunted road trip will lead you to the scariest places in Massachusetts.

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Minots Ledge, Scituate, MA, USA