To an outsider, Maine may simply be a beautiful state with idyllic coastline and delectable lobster. But, once you get to know us a bit better, you'll find that we have our fair share of strange "stuff." Between our many hauntings and downright wacky places to visit, Maine isn't always what it appears to be. The perfect example? The real story behind Flagstaff Lake and what lies beneath its surface. Of all the ghost towns in Maine, Flagstaff Lake just might be the most intriguing.

Imagine building a life with family, friends and beautiful surroundings. Imagine sending your kids to school each day, knowing they're being raised in a community with strong values, good friendships and unwavering support. Now, imagine that one day you learn all of that will soon end. Not only are you being forced to leave your home, but all traces of your existence there will be erased. It's a nightmare. And it's one that the communities of Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation lived through in the early 1950s.

Main Street of Flagstaff Village.

The first permanent settlers of Flagstaff Village, which took its name from the flagpole erected by Benedict Arnold and his men, came in the 1800s. Drawn by the rich soil found in the Dead River floodplain and timber resources, those who called the area home were rewarded with the eventual creation of a gristmill and sawmill. This led to additional settlement of the surrounding areas of Dead River and Bigelow Plantations. Life was not without hardship, but it was a beloved community. That is, until 1949.

In the mid-1900s, in an effort to consolidate Maine’s electrical poduction, Walter Wyman of the Central Maine Power Company (CMP) began acquiring local power companies. Soon, CMP was building hydroelectric dams in Maine. To continue and expand, Wyman recognized the need to build a dam that would control the waters of the Kennebec River. This plan would only be approved by Maine legislature if he agreed to lease the land that was to be in the flood zone.

Wyman wasn't interested in that expense. But he WAS interested in a plan that put Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation in the way of ultimate destruction. This plan meant the construction of a dam in the Dead River at Long Falls. By 1930, CMP was buying land from Flagstaff Village and Dead River Plantation. By 1948, the land was cleared. By 1949 it was burning, smoke billowing for miles.

In 1950, Long Falls Dam was built and lives were forever changed.

The top photo below is the home of Mae Savage. Below it, is what became of her home when the diverted waters of the Dead River overtook it.

Many of the town's important buildings, such as the schoolhouse, were demolished, while some of the lucky ones were moved. But, the most unfortunate of cases were the folks that never came to a monetary agreement with CMP. These homes simply remained, waiting for the incoming flood waters to overcome them.

In July of 1949, the town of Flagstaff Village had one last hoorah. In a two-day event that brought out 300 people, local folks somberly remembered all that had been built – family, community and love – over the last century. During the celebration, the clearing fires blazed sending smoke above the town revelers. It was surely an unnecessary reminder of what was to come.

Most residents relocated to the nearby areas of Eustis and Stratton. But, their families have not forgotten about the town their loved ones once called home. The Dead River Area Historical Society does an incredible job creating events and curating collections to ensure that these lost communities are not forgotten. Visit them on Facebook for an incredible collection of photos and information.

Today, Flagstaff Lake offers a respite from busy days in Maine. But, below are the fading foundations and reminders of a community that flourished. There was a time when some even reported finding relics, such as cutlery, of days gone by near the shores. The next time you visit, take a moment to remember your past and those whose past lies beneath the surface of Flagstaff Lake.

Did you grow up in Flagstaff Village or Dead River Plantation? We'd love to hear your story! Or, have you been to Flagstaff Lake? Does knowing the story change how you feel about it?

Love the paranormal? For more about the haunted cemeteries, frightening tales, and ghost towns in Maine, check out this article: The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Maine.