How Witchtrot Road (Maybe) Got Its Name
Maine is known for its fall foliage, fresh seafood, and of course, as the setting of many of Stephen Kings’ works. And maybe Stephen was onto something because Maine seems, well, haunted. From lighthouses to haunted hotels, the state has a supernatural aura that attracts locals and tourists alike. Among these stories, is an old road. Witchtrot Road in York, Maine.
Many people believe that the road received its name during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. As per the whispers, Witchtrot Road was used to march suspected witches to their eventual death. However, there were never any recorded witch trials in Maine, and certainly no witch burnings. Though these claims are not precisely accurate, it’s true that the road has a history of being an unwelcome path.
That being said, Maine does have a unique connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials. There was a Puritan minister, George Nurroughs, who was recruited to head to Salem, Massachusetts in 1680. However, he ended up having a falling out with the community and decided not to practice there. So, he packed up and headed to Maine. One of the theories behind the witchcraft in Salem? An evil minister in leaue with the evil...named George Burroughs. In fact, a US Marshall was actually sent to Maine to arrest Burroughs for his involvement (and running away before the action really got started).
He submitted without a fight to the US Marshal and they headed back towards Salem. However, Brroughs suggested a shortcut to get them to Massachusetts quickly: a heavily wooded path that frew daekwe and darker. This road was where they walked, and it's believed that this may be why it has the name. It was interesting that Burroughs was in a hurry to get back to Salem because he ended up being tried and convicted for witchcraft. He was executed in 1692.
It should be noted that there isn’t direct proof of this and their exact route is likely lost to time. Maine Historian Marilynne K. Roach says there is no record of the exact path in the historic records, but the story does appear in Sarah Orne Jewett's The Old Town of Berwick (1894). This indicates that the road's name, and the story of Burroughs as one of the witches in New England, was still thriving in the mid-1800s (Jewett was brown in 1849).
But, to this day, people often report feeling a foreboding and uncomfortable sense when driving down Witchtrot. However, there don’t appear to be any ghostly appraitions or other concrete sightings.
The above image is a Google Maps screenshot of Witchtrot Road!
Thanks to Andrew C for this blogstonishing suggestion!