The Beach Times
Haunted Cape Cod: The Story of the Sagamore Cemetery
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, October 26, 2020
There's a ton of history on Cape Cod, and any time you visit, you can't help but immerse yourself in it.
Some history is very easy to find, as the region has a plethora of historic homes and buildings that line the main streets in most towns.
Other history is somewhat hidden but readily available if you're willing to search around for it.
In some cases, you might even have the opportunity to experience some living history, to put it one way, through Cape Cod's supposedly haunted locations.
The Sagamore Cemetery is one such haunted destination that captures the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The cemetery sits where Sandwich Road and Ben Abbey Road meet, in a small residential area near the Sagamore Bridge.
This cemetery isn't sinister in any way, but visitors have reported countless personal experiences with ghosts when wandering through it. If you're into that sort of thing, the Sagamore Cemetery is a must-visit location during your Cape Cod vacation.
Some Background on the Sagamore Cemetery
Although the Sagamore Cemetery wasn't incorporated until 1889, its first recorded burial took place in 1803. The plot is the final resting place for numerous Civil War soldiers and at least 29 former sea captains, making it a historically significant facility, even without the ghost stories.
As you look through the cemetery, you might recognize some of the names, including members of the Bourne family, for whom the town of Bourne is named, the Keith family, and the Ellis family.
However, there is an issue at Sagamore Cemetery that some locals believe is the reason behind the ghost experiences: some of the headstones are in the wrong spots.
In 1909, when the Cape Cod Canal was still under construction, 17 bodies from the Collins Farm Cemetery and 45 bodies from the Ellis Cemetery were moved to Sagamore to make room for the project. Officials marked the caskets with chalk, but a storm washed the names away before a reburial could proceed.
As a result, officials had to guess at some identities, and there's a non-trivial chance that some caskets are under the wrong headstones.
The thought is that the spirits that continue to roam the cemetery can't rest until the proper names are attached to the gravesites. Their restlessness is driving the ghost sightings.
Personal Experiences at the Cemetery
So, the question remains: Who is haunting the Sagamore Cemetery?
The property's caretaker, Donald Ellis, believes much of the supernatural activity is actually Isaac Keith.
In fact, Ellis believes he has personally interacted with Keith and has a story to back it up.
Isaac Keith was the founder of the Keith Car Company, a business that once employed 1,400 people in the Bourne area. The company is no longer in operation but lasted until 1928.
When Keith died in 1900, he was buried at the Sagamore Cemetery but has never truly rested because of the misplaced headstones on some of the facility's graves.
In 1998, Ellis was working at the cemetery when he felt someone push on his chest. This feeling was followed by the smell of cigar smoke and the presence of goosebumps on his arms, despite this situation taking place on a hot July afternoon.
Ellis, not knowing what was happening, ran to his truck, and the feeling immediately went away.
It has since been learned that Keith was a heavy cigar smoker, leading Ellis to believe that the activity was Keith trying to send a message from the afterlife.
At least 11 other people have reported feeling an intense cold or smelling cigar smoke in the cemetery. Psychics have also noted that Keith is the messenger for those whose headstones have been displaced and that he can't rest in peace until the situation has been rectified.
What the Future Holds
Assuming that Issac Keith is, in fact, haunting the Sagamore Cemetery, can anything be done to assist him and return the headstones to their proper graves?
Unfortunately, short of digging up every grave in the Bournedale section of the cemetery and conducting DNA tests, it's unlikely that officials can rectify this issue in the years to come. Not only does the town not have the resources to complete such a significant job, but there's also no guarantee of its accuracy because so many people in the graveyard are from the same family.
However, the Bourne Historical Commission has provided the Sagamore Cemetery Association with a $30,400 grant to rehabilitate and restore 41 of the facility's most important headstones.
Many markers have been in place for more than 150 years and are deteriorating, so the Cemetery Association will complete some much-needed work in the coming years.
Maybe this restoration will help Issac Keith finally get some rest after haunting the Sagamore Cemetery for the past 120 years.
Visiting the Cemetery
Suppose you'd like to check out one of Sagamore's most historic sites or, potentially, experience some paranormal activity. In that case, you can head to the Sagamore Cemetery at any time on your Cape Cod vacation.
There's no guarantee that you'll witness a haunting while at the cemetery, but it's worth a visit as the final resting place for so many of the Cape's most prominent historical figures.
Haunted Cape Cod Sagamore
- 4th Of July (2)
- 6a Brewing Company (1)
- Abba (1)
- Academy Of Performing Arts In Orleans (1)
- Activities (11)
- Animals On Cape Cod (1)
- Antique Shopping On Cape Cod (2)
- Antiques (2)
- Aqua Bar (1)
- Aquarium (1)
- Arnolds Lobster Clam Bar (1)
- Art Galleries (3)
- Arts On Cape Cod (2)
- Ashumet Holly And Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Atlantic Spice Company (1)
- Aw (1)
- Bad Martha (1)
- Badlands (1)
- Bakeries (2)
- Bakers Pond (1)
- Bananas (1)
- Barnstable (6)
- Barnstable Bats (2)
- Barnstable Brewing (1)
- Barnstable Villlage (1)
- Bass River (2)
- Bbc (1)
- Beach (1)
- Beach Yoga (1)
- Beaches (4)
- Beanstock (1)
- Beer (2)
- Bells Neck Conservation Area (1)
- Ben Bills Chocolate Emporium (1)
- Berta Walker Gallery (1)
- Bicycle Rentals (1)
- Bicycles (1)
- Bike Paths (8)
- Biking (5)
- Birding (2)
- Birds On Cape Cod (2)
- Birdwatching (1)
- Blue Heron Gallery (1)
- Blue Rock Golf Course (1)
- Boats (1)
- Bocce Italian Grill (1)
- Book Direct (1)
- Bourne (1)
- Breakfast (1)
- Breakwater Beach Brewster (2)
- Brew Run (1)
- Brewster (9)
- Brewster Beaches (2)
- Brick Block Ice Cream Shop (1)
- British Beer Company (1)
- Buffys Ice Cream (1)
- Burdick Art Gallery (1)
- Butterflies (1)
- Buzzards Bay (1)
- Cape Cod (18)
- Cape Cod Architecture (1)
- Cape Cod Baseball (1)
- Cape Cod Beach Chair Company (1)
- Cape Cod Beaches (3)
- Cape Cod Beer (3)
- Cape Cod Bike Races (1)
- Cape Cod Brew Bus (1)
- Cape Cod Breweries (1)
- Cape Cod Central Railroad (1)
- Cape Cod Chocolatier (1)
- Cape Cod Coffee (1)
- Cape Cod Country Club (1)
- Cape Cod Festivals (3)
- Cape Cod Fishing (2)
- Cape Cod Gifts (1)
- Cape Cod Golfing (2)
- Cape Cod Hiking (5)
- Cape Cod Hotels (1)
- Cape Cod National Seashore (2)
- Cape Cod Nightlife (1)
- Cape Cod Pathways (1)
- Cape Cod Ponds (3)
- Cape Cod Potato Chips (2)
- Cape Cod Rail Trail (3)
- Cape Cod Restaurants (2)
- Cape Cod Sandwich Shops (1)
- Cape Cod Shopping (1)
- Cape Cod Spas (1)
- Cape Cod Theatre Company (1)
- Cape Cod Vacation (2)
- Cape Cod Weddings (1)
- Cape Playhouse (1)
- Cape Symphony (1)
- Capeside Kitchen (1)
- Captain Bangs Hallet House (1)
- Captain Parkers Pub (1)
- Captain Penniman House (2)
- Captains Mile (1)
- Celeste Fine Arts Gallery (1)
- Celtic Christmas (1)
- Centerville (1)
- Centerville Pie (1)
- Chapin Beach (1)
- Charter Boats (1)
- Chatham (16)
- Chatham Anglers (1)
- Chatham Beaches (2)
- Chatham Dining (2)
- Chatham Lighthouse Beach (1)
- Chatham Orpheum Theater (1)
- Chatham Penny Candy (1)
- Chatham Squire (1)
- Chatham Wine Bar (1)
- Chequesset Inn (1)
- Chequessett Chocolate (2)
- Cherry Stone Galelry (1)
- Childrens Activities (1)
- Chocolatasm (1)
- Christmas (3)
- Christmas Concerts (1)
- Christmas On Cape Cod (2)
- Christmas Performances (1)
- Christmas Stroll (2)
- Cinema Pub (1)
- Clam Shacks (2)
- Cleat Anchor (1)
- Coast Guard Beach (1)
- Cobies (1)
- Coffee (6)
- Coffee Shops (4)
- Columbus Weekend (1)
- Concerts (1)
- Conservation Area (1)
- Cotuit (1)
- Country Store (1)
- Cove Gallery (1)
- Craft Beer (1)
- Craigville Beach (1)
- Cranberry Valley Golf Course (1)
- Crosby Boatworks (1)
- Crosby Mansion (1)
- Crowes Pasture (1)
- Crown Anchor (1)
- Crystal Lake (1)
- Dairy Queen (2)
- Day Trip (1)
- Dennis (9)
- Dennis Port Lobster Company (1)
- Dennis Public Market (1)
- Dennis Village (1)
- Dennisport (1)
- Devils Purse (1)
- Dining (1)
- Dinner Train (1)
- Dog Friendly Cape Cod (2)
- Dogs (1)
- Drivein Movie (2)
- Duck Pond (1)
- Eastham (3)
- Eastham Hiking Club (1)
- Edward Gorey (1)
- Eel Pond (1)
- Emack And Bolios (1)
- Embargo (1)
- Fall (2)
- Fall Festivals (2)
- Falmouth (11)
- Falmouth Harbor (1)
- Family Fun (1)
- Farmers Market (1)
- Festivals (3)
- Film Festivals (1)
- Fireworks (1)
- Fishing (1)
- Fishing Charters (1)
- Flea Markets (1)
- Flynns Irish Pub (1)
- Food Trucks (1)
- Fort Hill (1)
- Fort Wing House (1)
- Four Seas Ice Cream (1)
- Fried Clams (1)
- Front Porch Gallery (1)
- Frying Pan Gallery (1)
- Getting To Ptown (1)
- Golf (2)
- Goose Pond (1)
- Great Island Trail (1)
- Halloween On Cape Cod (1)
- Halloween Parades (1)
- Harbor Lounge (1)
- Hardings Beach Chatham (1)
- Harmon Gallery (1)
- Harvest Gallery Wine Bar (1)
- Harwich (9)
- Harwich Beaches (1)
- Haunted Cape Cod (2)
- Hawksnest Pond (1)
- Head Of The Meadow (1)
- Heritage Halloween Family Festival (1)
- Hidden Restaurants (3)
- Highfield Hall (2)
- Highland Golf Links (2)
- Highland Light (1)
- Hiking (5)
- Hog Island (1)
- Holiday Strolls (1)
- Hortense Kelly (1)
- Hoxie House (1)
- Hyannis (5)
- Hyanns (1)
- Ice Cream (4)
- Ice Skating (1)
- Improper Bostonian (1)
- Independent Fermentations Brewing (1)
- Jackknife Cove (1)
- Jake Rooneys (1)
- Jasons Tavern (1)
- Jazz (1)
- Jerrys Seafood (1)
- Jfk (1)
- Jfk Memorial (1)
- Joon Bar (1)
- Jts Seafood Restaurant (1)
- July 4th (2)
- Karoo (1)
- Kayaking On Cape Cod (1)
- Kettle Ponds (1)
- Kids (5)
- Kinlin Grover Vacation Rentals (7)
- Kreme N Kone (1)
- Lazy Sundaes (1)
- Left Bank Gallery (1)
- Lighthouse Cafe (1)
- Lobster (2)
- Lobster Chocolate (1)
- Lobster Rolls (2)
- Local Break (1)
- Local Eats (3)
- Local Flavor (2)
- Long Nook Beach (1)
- Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Longnook Beach (1)
- Lower Cape (1)
- Lukes Love Playground (1)
- Lunch (1)
- Maddocks Gallery (1)
- Mahoneys Atlantic Bar And Grill (1)
- Main Street Galleries (1)
- Marconi Beach (2)
- Marconi Beach Restaurant (1)
- Marion (2)
- Marthas Vineyard (1)
- Marylous (1)
- Mashpee Commons (1)
- Mattapoisett (1)
- Mayflower Beach (1)
- Micah Pond (1)
- Mini Golf (4)
- Monomoy (1)
- Morrells Restaurant (1)
- Mountain Biking (1)
- Movie Theaters (1)
- Museums (3)
- Nantucket (1)
- National Plan For Vacation Day (1)
- Naukabout (1)
- Nauset Beach (2)
- Nauset Marsh (2)
- New Years Resolution (1)
- Nickerson State Park (3)
- Nirvana (1)
- Noreast Beer Garden (1)
- Off Main Gallery (1)
- Offcape (1)
- Offroading (1)
- Old Colony Rail Trail (1)
- Old Colony Tap (1)
- Old Kings Highway (3)
- Old Silver Beach (1)
- Onset (2)
- Opera (1)
- Orleans (8)
- Osterville (4)
- Otis Trails (1)
- Outdoor Adventures (1)
- Outdoor Music (1)
- Outer Cape (3)
- Outer Cape Chorale (1)
- Paddleboarding (1)
- Pain Davignon (1)
- Pamet Area Trails (1)
- Pan Mass Challenge (1)
- Parades (1)
- Payomet (1)
- Pb Boulangerie Bistro (2)
- Peddlers Restaurant (1)
- Perks Coffee (1)
- Pet Friendly (1)
- Pets (1)
- Pilgrim Lake (1)
- Pilgrims (1)
- Piping Plovers (1)
- Pleasant Road Beach Harwich (1)
- Pmc (1)
- Pondfront Rentals (1)
- Provincetown (11)
- Provincetown Brewing Company (2)
- Provincetown Fudge Factory (1)
- Provincetown Ghost Tours (1)
- Race Point (2)
- Races (1)
- Rail (1)
- Red Barn Pizza (1)
- Red Cottage Restaurant (1)
- Red Maple Swamp Trail (1)
- Red River Beach Harwich (1)
- Rentals (1)
- Restaurants (6)
- Rideaway (1)
- Ridge Club (1)
- Ridgevale Beach Chatham (1)
- Rochester (1)
- Route 6a (1)
- Ruggies Breakfast And Lunch (1)
- Running (1)
- Sagamore (1)
- Sailing (1)
- Sand Dollar Bar (1)
- Sandwich (6)
- Sandwich Boardwalk (1)
- Sandwiches (1)
- Sandy Neck (2)
- Sandy Pond (1)
- Sapori Ditalia (1)
- Scargo Pottery (1)
- Schoolhouse Ice Cream (1)
- Sea Dog Brew Pub (1)
- Seafood (1)
- Seafood Restaurant (1)
- Seafood Sams (1)
- Shankpainter Pond Wildlife Sanctuary (1)
- Shining Sea Bikeway (1)
- Sir Crickets Fish Chips (1)
- Skaket Beach (1)
- Skipper Restaurant (1)
- Smith Tavern (1)
- Smittys Ice Cream (1)
- Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters (2)
- Somerset Creamery (1)
- South Beach (1)
- South Beach Shrine (1)
- South Coast (1)
- South Dartmouth (1)
- South Dennis (1)
- South Hollow Spirits (1)
- Southcoast Ma (1)
- Spas (1)
- Spring Festivals (1)
- Spruce Hill Conservation Area (1)
- Starbucks (1)
- Steve Sues (1)
- Struna Gallery (1)
- Subs Sandwiches (1)
- Summer (2)
- Summer Concerts (1)
- Summer Festivals (2)
- Sundae School (1)
- Sundancers (1)
- Sup (1)
- Swan River Market (1)
- Swimming (1)
- Taylor Bray Farm (1)
- Ten Pin Eatery (1)
- The Cape Club (1)
- The Daily Paper (1)
- The Kennedys (2)
- The Knack (1)
- The Liberte (1)
- The Merc (1)
- The Red Nun (1)
- The Underground (1)
- Theater (1)
- Things To Do On Cape Cod (6)
- Three Fins Coffee Roasters (1)
- Tilden Arts Center (1)
- Torino (1)
- Trail Of Tears (1)
- Trains (1)
- Traveling To Provincetown (1)
- Truro (7)
- Truro Vineyards (1)
- Tugboats (1)
- Underground Art Gallery (1)
- Vacation (9)
- Vacation Home (1)
- Van Rensselaers Restaurant (1)
- Veterans Field (1)
- Vineyards (1)
- Wareham (1)
- Water Parks (2)
- Waterfront Rentals (1)
- Weatherdeck Restaurant (1)
- Wedding Venues On Cape Cod (1)
- Weddings On Cape Cod (1)
- Wellfleet (11)
- Wellfleet Bay Wildlife (1)
- Wellfleet Town Clock (1)
- Wellflleet Drivein (1)
- Wequaquet Lake (1)
- West Barnstable (1)
- Westport (1)
- Whale Watch (1)
- Where To Eat In Chatham (2)
- Where To Eat In Falmouth (4)
- Where To Eat In Osterville (1)
- Where To Eat In Truro (1)
- Whoi (1)
- Wildlife (1)
- Wineries (1)
- Winslow Crocker House (1)
- Winter Festivals (1)
- Woods Hole (1)
- Woods Hole Aquarium (2)
- Yarmouth (6)
- Yarmouth Port (3)
- Yarmouth Seaside Festival (1)
- Year Round (2)
- Yoga (1)
- Zoo (1)
Browse the Archive
-
2019 (52)
- December (4)
- November (3)
- October (4)
- September (5)
- August (5)
- July (9)
- The Top 5 Coffee Shops in Yarmouth
- All Aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad
- Places to Take Your Dog on Cape Cod
- Getting to Know Eastham's Fort Hill Trail
- Wellfleet: The Art Gallery Town
- Here Are Some Places to See Animals on Cape Cod
- The Top 5 Local Markets in Dennis
- Cape Cod's Unique Architecture
- Exploring the Cape's Secret Swimming Holes
- June (6)
- May (5)
- April (2)
- March (2)
- February (3)
- January (4)