The “Fire Spook” at Mary Ellen Spook Farm is a popular local legend that began in 1922, when farmer Alexander MacDonald and his wife and adopted daughter Mary Ellen left their farm in a hurry after experiencing poltergeist activity, including 30 little fires that had broken out in their home that day. The ghost was also known to move livestock and farm equipment and plait horses’ tails. When a reporter and a detective investigated the place, both men were slapped by something they couldn’t see. Paranormalist Dr. Walter Franklin Prince determined that the poltergeist was connected with Mary Ellen, then 15. He said she had been possessed by a spirit and made to create the havoc at the home. Mary Ellen denied any wrongdoing and eventually was committed to a mental institution. While some reports claim she was a mentally disabled pyromaniac, others said Mary Ellen was sweet, smiling and quite eloquent, and sadly her reputation and well-being were adversely affected by reporters and scientists who were looking for a sensational story.
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- Antigonish
Nova Scotia
Canada
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 45.62266049999999, -61.99280250000004
- Region:
- Antigonish County
- Nearest Towns:
- Antigonish, NS (1.3 mi.)
Antigonishe, NS (1.3 mi.)
Marshy Hope, NS (9.6 mi.)
Lismore, NS (14.3 mi.)
Goshen, NS (16.5 mi.)
Tracadie, NS (16.6 mi.)
Livingstone Cove, NS (16.9 mi.)
East River Saint Marys, NS (17.9 mi.)
Merigomishe, NS (20.5 mi.)
Merigomish, NS (20.5 mi.)
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Hi! I was listening to a podcast about hauntings and murders and was reminded of this story. I’m from antigonish and first heard about Mary Ellen spook farm when my brothers visited. He took a shingle and his van broken down on the way home. He got it working then returned the shingle and left without trouble. I did a project on this story in grade 9 and at the end of the presentation a black dog walked into our classroom (not staged). If you know the story, a black dog shows up randomly at the farm at different times. Everyone in my class except my project partner thought we set up the dog appearance but we were totally freaked out because we had not planned anything. Anyway, that’s my story, thanks!