3 of the Wildest Conspiracy Theories in Maine History

There was once a point in history where you could be chastised for believing in wild stories or urban legends. These days, conspiracy theories are pushed as fact by some very prominent people regardless of any proof or explanation.

Despite the prominence of conspiracy theories in the here and now, they've always existed in corners of every town and city in Maine. Some have been clearly debunked over the years, but others rage on without any concrete proof saying otherwise.

Here are three of the most talked about conspiracy theories in Maine history.

Where is the Governor's Body?

One of the most prestigious governors in Maine history is Enoch Lincoln. Lincoln was one of the very first advocates for giving women and black people rights throughout New England.

Perhaps his most notable accomplishment while Maine's governor was choosing Augusta to be the state's capital. Lincoln died in 1829 and his body was placed inside a crypt. But in 1991, the conspiracy theories began to run wild.

According to Business Insider, when state workers when to clean the crypt of the long-deceased governor, no body was found inside the tomb. Some people believe that the body may have been removed for cleaning and never returned by accident.

Other theories tell a different story. Some believe that it's possible the governor faked his own death in the 1800s, while others claim he was never buried there at all to begin with. To this day, Enoch Lincoln's body has never been found.

What About the Waste?

Many in Maine likely remember the days of the Maine Yankee nuclear power plant. Located on the Bailey peninsula in Wiscasset, the power plant was constructed in 1968 at a cost of more than $200 million before being decommissioned just 25 years later.

It was the closure of the power plant that has led to a string of different conspiracy theories. The initial theory is what exactly caused the closure of the nuclear facility. Maine Yankee claimed the expenses to repair and maintain the facility outweighed potential profit. Many questioned how a 25-year-old facility could have so many issues.

The aftermath of Maine Yankee's closure has been even more bizarre. The company spent nearly eight years and $500 million decommissioning the plant, including bringing down the largest containment building with explosives. But there's still a major question that remains.

Maine Yankee hasn't disposed of all nuclear waste. According to Maine Public, armed guards are called upon to protect the waste without any clear and evident plan on how to dispose of it. Conspiracy theories continue to run rampant that there is something the public isn't being told about what really happened to Maine Yankee.

Earthquake or Invasion?

One of the most recent events that spiraled out of control thanks to social media took place in the little town on Robbinston, Maine. Located in Washington County, Robbinston is just a short boat ride from the border of Canada.

Its proximity to Canada and a rare earthquake combined to take a small-scale event and turn it into a national feeding frenzy. Geologist reported that an earthquake hit the Robbinston area on December 9 of 2020. Conspiracy theorists didn't believe that for a second.

According to the Sun-Journal, days after the earthquake, stories began to spread online and through social media describing a large-scale military event that took place in the small town. Theorists surmised that the U.S. military got wind that thousands of Chinese troops had crossed into the country and were hiding in a bunker outside of Robbinston.

In response, the U.S. military bombed that bunker, killing the Chinese troops and tricking geologists into believing that they recorded an earthquake. The story spread like wildfire, and despite residents of Robbinston telling the world that nothing of the sort happened, many conspiracy theorists still believe the residents are in on the cover-up.