14 Scary Urban Legends of Massachusetts

14 Scary Urban Legends of Massachusetts

Massachusetts experienced the Salem witch trials after the Salem population suffered from mass hysteria. Several people including men, women and children died. Such incidences are supposedly the reason tales and legends tell of angry unforgiving spirits.

Below are fourteen Massachusetts myths.

1. The Friends Cemetery in Leicester is said to be A Gateway to Hell

Quaker Cemetery (Spider Gate) Leicester Massachusetts. Photo by janhatesmarcia/Wikimedia Commons

Known as Spider Gates Cemetery, this old Quaker cemetery located in Leicester is said to be hell’s gateway. It’s said that the centre of the cemetery was used for satanic worship. The ground secreted white unknown substances and spirits could be summoned from their graves. There are also reported cases of human tragedies at the cemetery. Cases such as the murder and dismemberment of a young girl and a teenage boy who is said to have hanged himself.

2. The Boston Light is home to a demon

Lighthouse in Boston. Photo by Joshua Pilla on Unsplash

The Quonahassitis tribe say the lighthouse in Cohasset is home to a demon known as Hobomock. The deaths began a few months after the first keeper started working. He drowned after his boat capsized. Later, the second keeper, Robert Saunders, also drowned. A year later, the keeper left two of his assistants at their post on April 11, 1851. He was unable to return the same day due to strong winds. Days later after the wind and fog cleared, the structure was gone. One assistant washed up on the shores of Gull Rock Island and the other was found in Nantucket. The community thus believed Hobomock had struck again.

3. Joshua Ward’s House is haunted by witches

Legend has it that Sheriff George Corwin lived and died on Joshua Ward’s land. Corwin, nicknamed ‘The Strangler,’ established his home and jail in Salem in the 1680s. Corwin ordered 19 men and women who were suspected witches and warlocks to be executed. In Ward’s house, are the spirits of two witches who are linked to the Salem witch trial. Together with Corwin, they haunt the house at night. These spirits slam doors, cause lights to flicker and are also said to overturn garbage cans.

4. Lizzie Borden’s House has Restless Spirits

Lizzie Borden was accused of using an axe to kill her father and stepmother in 1892. She was, however, acquitted of the crime. The Borden house, located in Fall River, is said to be haunted by the spirits of Lizzie’s father and stepmother. Those who stayed in the house said they saw ghosts, and they felt like they were being watched. Paranormal researchers investigated the Borden house and featured it on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures.

5. Taunton State Hospital harboured a Serial Killer

Taunton State Hospital, Main Building (1987). Photo by Jack E. Boucher/Wikimedia Commons

Initially known as the State Lunatic Hospital, Taunton State Hospital opened its doors in 1854. A nurse known as Jane Toppan who worked at the hospital confessed to killing 31 people. Rumours state that some of the staff were members of a satanic cult. Although the hospital is now closed, while open there were incidences of an unknown figure blocking the entrance to the basement. There were also cases of lights going on and off and a figure watching patients from the ceiling.

6. Pukwudgies Bait unsuspecting travellers and kill them

A woman at Wampanoag village, Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth. Photo by Yuri Long/Wikimedia Commons

Tales from the Wampanoag tribe state that tiny, grey, humanoid beasts known as Pukwudgies live in the swampy regions of eastern Massachusetts. Resembling porcupines that walk in an upright position, these creatures are said to lure unsuspecting people to their deaths. Legend has it that the Pukwudgies blind people, attack them with their tiny spears and push them off cliffs.

7. In the 1930s a Tall Dark Shadowy creature Terrorized Provincetown

Before its disappearance in December of 1945, a dark creature terrorized the people in Provincetown. Those who saw it say the creature jumped over high fences. There were also cases of physical attacks that were reported by two men.

8. Supernatural activity is commonplace at The Bridgewater Triangle

A map of the Bridgewater Triangle. Photo by Lord Belbury/Wikimedia Commons

In the Freetown/Fall River State Forest is a 200-square mile area known as Bridgewater Triangle. This forested area is said to have abundant supernatural activities. They include suicides, murders, satanic rituals and animal mutilations. There are also reported cases of UFO sightings, and masked figures.

9. Shelton Hall is home to the Spirit of Eugene O’Neill

Front of the Kilachand Hall building in the winter. Kilachand was previously known as Sheraton Hall. Photo by ForksForks/Wikimedia Commons

Before Boston University converted it to its residence in 1954, the building was originally known as Shelton Hall. It was first built as the Sheraton hotel in 1923. A year before the building was converted to Boston University, Eugene O’Neill, a playwright, died in room 401. Myths state that O’Neill knocks on doors, and stops the elevators on the floor on which he died.

10. Anyone who approaches Dogtown is cursed by the queen of witches

Signage into Dogtown Photo by shotinthedark/Wikimedia Commons

Dogtown, which was established in 1693, was said to be inhabited by witches and feral dogs. According to residents of neighbouring towns, the nearby woods were haunted. The neighbours also said that Thomazine “Tammy” Younger was the queen of witches she cursed anyone who got too close. Residents have since abandoned the town which is surrounded by rocks bearing peculiar inscriptions.

11. Lovecraft is based on Danvers State Mental Hospital

Danvers State Hospital, Kirkbride Complex, circa 1893. Photo by Wikimedia Commons

Featured in H.P. Lovecraft’s stories, the Arkham Sanitarium was inspired by the Danvers State Mental Hospital. Built-in the 1880s, the hospital which was intended for only 600 patients ended up at about 4 times its capacity. Apparently, frontal lobotomy was perfected at Danvers Hospital. With 2,300 patients, the staff were overwhelmed. There are reported cases of patients dying and not being discovered for days.

12. The S.K. Pierce Mansion was said to be killing its inhabitants

Built-in 1875, legend has it that Sylvester Knowlton Pierce’s mansion in Gardner was responsible for the tragic events that took place there. Pierce moved into the house with his first wife Susan and within three weeks, Susan had fallen ill and died. The house was later sold and turned into a boarding house of ill repute. A young boy is said to have drowned, and a prostitute was murdered. Those who visit the house said the spirits were still actively lingering in the house and you could even feel them push you.

13. Mysterious sounds and sightings at the Hoosac Tunnel

East portal of the Hoosac Tunnel, photographed in April 2013. Photo by Doug Kerr/Wikimedia Commons

Also known as ‘The Bloody Pit’ the Hoosac Tunnel, is said to have frightening sightings and sounds. Running between North Adams and Florida, this railroad tunnel was constructed in the mid-19^th Century. More than 200 people died while the tunnel was under construction. Tales of scary sightings and sounds have been told for more than 150 years.

14. Unknown Male Hitchhiker on Route 44

For more than 5 decades there have been reported cases of an unknown hitchhiker on route 44. The mysterious man is usually spotted near the Rehoboth/Seekonk town line. Always said to be looking distressed, the man is said to be dressed in a flannel shirt that’s red in colour. Apparently, the man disappears when drivers stop to give him a ride.