The story goes that a train conductor named Joe Baldwin was on the last car of his train, and that car somehow got separated from the engine. Another train was following Joe's train car, which was slowing because of the separation. Joe waved his lantern back and forth in an attempt to head off the other train, but his efforts were in vain. The oncoming train barrelled right into the car in front of it and Joe was decapitated in the accident. The Maco Light was Joe's ghost carrying his lantern and searching for his head.

The Maco Light generally advanced along the railroad tracks near Maco Station in a swinging motion. There are roads in the area, and some have said the light was a reflection of car headlights. However, Joe's beheading took place over 100 years ago, and the light started appearing shortly thereafter. Supposedly the light appeared frequently enough that the train engineers had to use red and green lights instead of the normal white to signal -- otherwise they would mistake the Maco Light for a train.

In 1977, the unused tracks at Maco were torn up, and according to most sources the light hasn't been seen since then. Perhaps encroaching development in recent years has eliminated the source of the light -- or perhaps old Joe Baldwin doesn't see a need to use his warning lantern anymore now that the trains aren't running.

More information on www.ghosts.org:
A personal encounter with the light
Another personal encounter posted on a.f.g-s

Links to other sites:
The Light at Maco Station The tale of the unlucky Joe Baldwin
Tales From the Coast A short story of the Maco Light
The Maco Light Has the light disappeared forever?
The Moonlit Road - The Maco Light A good feature on the light
The Maco Light On Ghosts of the Prairie