Here’s Why Very Scary Gargoyles Look Down From Quoddy Head Lighthouse In Lubec

Are there really no evil spirits of any sort allowed in this state park?

We've been to Quoddy State Park on numerous occasions to see the infamous candy-striped lighthouse that sits on the easternmost point of land in the United States, just past Lubec.  But, we've never noticed the gargoyles before that line the almost very top of the structure.

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Are they truly there to ward off evil under their ever-present watchful eyes perched high above?

Well no, not really.

Within the land of architecture, a gargoyle is actually called a grotesque, which is a  carved mythical and decorative figure that features a spout to move the rainwater away from the structure from which it sits.

These are especially noticeable in big cities like New York, where you may see vast amounts of them lining the sides of skyscrapers.

During a hard rain take a close look at these gargoyles and you'll see the water spout from the eerie-looking figure's mouth. It must be quite the sight to see those figures spewing forth rainwater in the middle of a downpour.

So, why are the figurines shaped like they are?

French legend says that at one time a warrior in that country killed a dragon-like creature and then brought it back to town to be burned. Well if you know anything at all about dragons, then you know that they breathe fire, and everything on the dragon burned for the chancellor except the fireproof head of the beast. The head of this particular dragon was then mounted to the side of a church to ward off evil spirits, and a tradition was born.

Do gargoyles really ward off evil?  Well, the Quoddy Head Light is still standing, so you tell us.