 |
| Fort Knox in Prospect from the Bucksport, Maine |
Not many people in America enjoy such a grand
fortification as a community focal point as the residents of Bucksport,
Maine. Their view of Fort Knox in Prospect is a scene to behold. The fort,
named after Major General Henry Knox, America's first Secretary of War,
was established in 1844 in preparation of a British battle on the Penobscot
River, which never materialized. It now stands proudly as Maine’s most visited
historic sight.
 |
| Three Witches - Photo by Kate England Courtesy of Friends of Fort Knox |
As serene as it looks most of the year, during October, Fort Knox becomes perhaps the largest spook house in the state of Maine, maybe even on the entire
East Coast. Who knows? What I do know is, it’s a somewhat spooky, giant window
into the past. You can look beyond its granite and brick construction and into
the very spirits of those who once lived in its dark and chilly confines. Many
visitors have claimed to have seen and heard remnants of another era who are still clinging to
the fortification to this very day in their afterlives. Don’t just take my word for
it, do an Internet search. You’ll discover plenty of reports of pretty believable
evidence from paranormal experts of ghostly footsteps and spectral apparitions
of the soldiers who were once encamped there.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of Friends of Fort Knox |
If you’ve never done so, imagine visiting Fort
Knox for a planned haunted event. I’m sure hair will rise up on the back of
many necks there this year, as it executes its 13th annual Fright at the Fort
event. Friends of Fort Knox, the non-profit, historic preservation organization
that oversees and plans fort activities, reported 9,200 people attended their 2011
Fright at the Fort and, since they’ve doubled their efforts, expect an even
larger crowd this season. When you add to those previously mentioned spirits, still
clinging to the fortification in their afterlives, some concocted—yet thoroughly
convincing—demons, ghouls, zombies and witches, you can’t help but have a
frightfully perfect Halloween thriller. Exactly what Friends of Fort Knox
strives for!
 |
| Waldo - Photo by Jamie Pellerin Courtesy of Friends of Fort Knox |
The four opportunities to experience Fright at
the Fort this year are on October 19, 20, 26 and 27, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Plan to
arrive before 8:30 p.m. to allow enough time to be properly frightened.
Other upcoming October 2012 events at Fort Knox
are ghost tours scheduled on October 6 and 13, and a special Belfast
Maskers theatrical production—a positively terrifying retelling of Robert Lewis
Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde—dramatically staged on the fort’s parade grounds
October 12 and 13.
 |
| Ghost hunting can be fun at Fort Knox any time of year. |
 |
| Click picture to view larger poster. |
