General Descriptions

 

From: Packndyke@aol.com Date: Sun, 21 May 2000 23:55:14 EDT Subject: Watersmeet, Michigan Spook Light To: obiwan@ghosts.org Greetings! I checked out your website after remembering a trip I took to Michigan two years ago. My friends who vacation there in the summer took me to see the Mystery Light. It was quite spectacular. I have included a link to the Watersmeet Michigan Area Chamber of Commerce's web site. They mention the spook light as one of the area attractions. Mystery Light in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan When we went to see the light, it was a clear evening in September. It was quite cool, probably around 45-50 degrees. We drove to the area via the route mentioned on the Watersmeet website. The road in is a wide gravel road, but is blockaded by guard rails, (seemingly put across the road by local or state authorities, as they are the same kind one would see on the interstate). The area is heavily forested, but, beyond the barricade, the road goes (straight) on through a long deep valley before climbing two hills. The summit of the second hill makes up the horizon for one's line of site while parked at the barricade. The road obviously goes over the second hill because one can see a notch in the horizon where the trees have been cleared for the road. We pulled the car up to the blockade and sat for approx. 20 minutes before seeing anything. What we did see astounded me. I had a pair of binoculars and was focusing on the notch in the horizon. Soon I noticed the faint glow, like a light below the horizon, then several small red lights danced their way up into this glow. My friend next to me could see the lights unaided, but they were seemingly harder to focus on with the naked eye. Soon, however, a white ball of light ascended beyond the notch. The light was spectacular. It seemed to be pointing straight at us. My friend and I both witnessed the light change shapes from an octoagon to a multi-pointed star, to a diamond shape, then back to round. It even sort of spun, but didn't seem to be giving off the beam of light it did when we first noticed it. Once over the horizon, the light didn't seem to move laterally, but did move up and down. While the white light was visible, we could still see the three smaller red lights bouncing around and behind it. All told, we watched the display for about four or five minutes before the light dropped back below the horizon. We waited for approx. 15 more minutes, but the light did not reappear. My friend has told me that her son has hiked the road beyond the barricade for about five miles and did not notice anything unusual. They also had an engineer friend visiting some years ago who, even upon looking at maps of the area dating back to the late 1800's good find no logical explanation for the lights. I have also heard that the lights can be seen from just about every direction, not just from the road that we went in on. Whether this is true, I cannot attest as I have only been to see the lights on the one road. As for the Hornet Spooklight near Joplin, Missouri, my sister used to live in Carthage, Missouri and occasionally, she and her friends would drive out to see the light. She says it is quite incredible to watch it bounce around, but that it never came very close to them or their car. Thanks for providing an interesting website. if you have any questions, I will respond. -Kari (http://www.ghosts.org/ghostlights/pauldinglight11.html)

Date: 9/6/99 From: lightwatcher i am looking for information on the paulding light in michigan. i just returned from viewing the most awsome sight.... i spent several hours just before dark until about 11pm watching a recuring light in the distance.. it was increadible! it went from bright white in a triangular shape to a bright white with red the red would split in to 3 and sometimes 4 smaller red lights... there was at one point a green and purplish light to the side of the white...increadible!!! the ledgends are many as to why the lights are there. one having to to with a young railroad worker. the native americans have been viewing the light for over 200 years as the locals tell it. the light can be viewed every night, spring-summer-fall and winter i spoke with one woman who has been viewing it for over 5 years at least 5 nights a week. this woman travels an hour to see the area.. she believes there is more than just the strange lights going on...she was trying to convience me that there is some type of portal or vortex there and well... has anyone else heard of it? have you been there! i am going back as soon as possible. (http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/7/6/217/36)

In July of 1999, I traveled down an old dirt and gravel road just south of Paulding, Michigan and found one of the most interesting phenomenon I had seen in years. The Paulding Lights flash on and off all night, dancing up and down an abandoned, torn out railroad line/highway/powerline right-of-way. They range from white to red to blue to yellow and sometimes even green, frequently occurring in mutiple color combinations.. Several of the local residents frequent the Paulding Lights show as a social event. There are even a couple of photographers and occult investigators around from time to time. Nobody seems to really know what the lights are or how they occur, although everybody has some story to tell. One resident of the lake my parents live on, claims its "Kids with flashlights". Well, The Paulding Earth Lights have been showing, almost everynight, rain or shine, sub-zero or sweltering hot, for as long as anyone in the area can remember. There are Native American legends pointing to the possibility that the lights are the souls of braves who died in battle at the site. Other tales tell of a terrible train wreck along this stretch when the rail was still operational. The Conductor is still waving his lantern. They are commonly known as "Earth Lights" and occur naturally in seven worldwide. There has been no convincing explaination for earth lights to the best of my knowledge. Speculation has attributed these earth lights to swamp gas (there no swamps near here), Electro-magnetic energy from geological formations beneath the surface (more likely) and even "Ley Lines" (the electro-magnetic lines of force created by our magnetically polar earth). What ever the cause of the Paulding Earth Lights, it makes for a very interesting evening. Get there after complete darkness (10:30pm or later) and plan to stay a while. Some nights the earthlights are more active then others, and will ebb and flow in intensity over the course of a single minute. Do not be fooled! As I said, they do not show until it is very dark. Also there is a stretch of U.S. 45 that travels due north of the site, about 6 miles ahead. The head & tail lights are mistaken by many as the earth lights. The real ones bounce, jitter, take on a wide variety of shapes and appear along the powerline right of way to the right (east) of the roadway.. The head/tail lights move only slightly, are white to light blue and yellow to red, and appear in the "V' of the roadway far ahead. Directions Take U.S 45 north from Watersmeet or south from Paulding Michigan to Robbins Lake Road. Turn west and drive for about a half a mile to the top of the second hill where you will encounter a barricade blocking the road (which is Old U.S. 45). BE CAREFUL! There will probably be a lot of people, so drive slowly. DIM YOUR HEADLIGHTS WHEN YOU TURN OFF OF U.S. 45 and turn them off as soon as possible when you arrive ! ! ! Your lights will be very annoying to the folks already there. Paulding Lights : Paulding, Michigan and other Travel Destinations are sponsered providers of nearby attractions and services. Please help keep this site alive by visiting the ones that interest you by clicking on the banners or the "Attractions and Services"! (http://www.travdestrevue.com/Paulding-Mystery-Lights.asp)

Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 09:32:13 -0700 (PDT) To: stories@ghosts.org yourname Johnny and Stacey Ripp email peakers@powerweb.net The Paulding Light. I used to be a morning radio show host in the Appleton area of Wisconsin and had the opportunity to discuss many topics for the show. One day a listener had asked if I was familiar with the "Paulding Light" at Watersmeet, MI. in the upper penninsula. I had not but wanted to learn more. After the show that day, Stacey and I headed straight for Paulding! There is nothing from Highway 45 to indicate where this spot is, but if you get to the gas station in town, I found that they were more than happy to direct us. The road leading in is just a gravel, dead-end affair with a parking area and sign describing just what it is that you are there for. Ther were about twenty people at the spot when we arrived and all were awaiting the appearance of the light. Many had seen it before and a couple offered numerous explanations for the phenomenon. To see the light, all one has to do is wait. If there were railroad tracks here, there is absolutely no evidence of such. A large revene cuts across at a right-angle to where you look for the light, and I could find no remnants of bridge footings or the like to support a R.R. bridge. None the less, It does resemble a R.R. right-of-way. The light appeared after dark. It started off as a dim yellowish blurred spot. Then, after a few seconds, it became very, very bright(almost like it was comming at us). The light seemed to sway back and forth much like a train would do when traveling down the tracks of branch line, where speeds are generally slower due to track conditions. The light then stopped moving and a SECOND light, this one reddish in color, swung down away from the main light. This second light was almost as if a brakeman or conducter had climbed down from the side of the train with his lantern to go about his business. The reddish light bounced around a bit then just as quickly as it had appeared, vanished. The main light started to fade out of sight, until it too was gone. The whole process took no more than a minute. I don't know what it is but we have been back to the sight many times and have NEVER been dissappointed. We have always(as long as there isn't any fog or other harsh weather restrictions)"seen the light". My wife Stacey and I would highly recommend a visit to the "Paulding Light" ! HAPPY HAUNTING! ! ! Johnny and Stacey Ripp (http://www.ghosts.org/ghostlights/pauldinglight15.html)

At one time, Ripley's Believe It Or Not offered in excess of $100,000 to the person or persons who could solve a bizarre light phenomenon in Paulding, Michigan. Nearly every clear evening, strange circular spheres of light dance on the horizon of the tiny community, and at one point seem to follow the pathway of electrical lines. The lights have been captured on film by Michigan Magazine and Channel Six News out of Marquette. Experts from Ripley's have been to the location to examine the phenomenon. At the location of the Paulding lights, the Michigan Forest service has put up signs which indicate the best area from which the lights can be seen. So far, no logical conclusions have been reached. The lights have been witnessed as being red, white and green. These lights are not to be confused with the Northern Lights. They are a phenomenon that is unique to Paulding, Michigan. Locals say the lights have been viewed for a long time. Eye witnesses claim to have seen the lights way back at the turn of the century, while on their way to the train depot at Watersmeet. Various legends have developed concerning the lights. One myth explains the lights as the ghost of a railroad brakeman, while other say it is the ghost of an Indian dancing on the power lines. Some locals attest to the fact that the lights start over Lake Superior and make their way inland. The public is welcome to view the strange lights. Mystic Michigan is available from regional booksellers as well as by sending $7.00 to: Zosma Publications PO Box 73 Cadillac, MI 49601 (http://www.backwoodswisconsin.com/paulding_light.htm)

The Paulding Light . . . Mysterious Enchanting Fascinating and Breath-taking........ But, most of all, it is unexplained ! The Paulding Light has a different effect on everyone. Some think it is simply the headlights from a passing car. That explanation would be fine except 'the light' was seen before automobiles were around. Seismologists say a few earthquakes left some small cracks in the ground that let out radioactive gases. That is an interesting explanation, but unprovable. Other scientists say it is only swamp gases. But what about when the swamps are frozen and covered with a Yooper dose of snow? The light can be seen in the winter months. The concept of aliens may seem far-fetched, but so are all the other possibilities to explain the Paulding Light. It's no surprise that the story that stuck involved a ghost. Is the light caused by a decapitated railroad watchman's lantern? Or is it the mail carrier who was killed while crossing the swamp in the 1870's? Could it be an angry Native American chief upset about the power lines? Headlights, ghosts, UFO's, swamp gases, or radio active gases - the possibilities are endless. Everyone has a different idea. Visit the Paulding Mystery Light in Ontonagon County, and come to your own conclusions ! The Mystery Light can be seen nightly from Robbins Pond Road, located between Watersmeet and Paulding, just off U S Highway 45. (http://www.ontonagonmi.com/pauldinglight/)

The "LIGHT" has defied explanation since it was first sighted many years ago, although theories abound. To observe the phenomenon, one must drive north from Watersmeet on U.S. 45 for 4 miles toward the neighboring village of Paulding, and take Robbins Pond Road for a short distance west - an unimproved rural lane once part of a military road authorized by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War in anticipation of a British attack through Canada. By tramping through dense woods to the summit of nearby hills, the mysterious light can be observed almost every night once darkness has descended on the northern wilderness. It appears to rise slowly out of the forest and then hovers low in the sky for varying intervals - ranging from a couple of minutes to over a quarter of an hour. Often described as looking like a "bright star" it first seems to be a campfire ember, reaching an intense reddish glow, then becoming a haze and finally receding to a mere spark before disappearing into the night. Explanations vary from fanciful to factual. Some say it's the spirit of a long dead mail carrier ambushed by Indians over a century ago; others insist it is the ghost of an engineer killed in a nearby railroad accident in years gone by. One woman thinks it's a mystical sign of religious significance. In the meantime, "THE MYSTERY LIGHT" continues to baffle, intrigue and mystify the visitor. (http://www.watersmeet.org/light.html)

The Paulding Lights The Paulding Lights are the mysterious red and white lights that appear for no apparent reason in Paulding, Michigan. These lights have been the source of much speculation; is it a ghost with unfinished business? Or is there a scientific fact that explains the cause? "This is the location from which the famous Paulding Light(s) can be observed. Legend explains its presence as a railroad brakeman's ghost, destined to remain forever at the sight of his untimely death. He continually waves his signal lantern as a warning to all who come to visit." "To observe the phenomenon, park along this forest road, facing the north. The light will appear each evening in the distance, along the power line right-of-way." Among the many stories that have circulated due to the lights are the following; - A brakeman on a caboose was checking the rails, when the caboose derailed and crushed him. While the caboose's lights are red and green, the green cover of the light may have broken in the crash, leading to a white light. - A miner, John Floyd, who died in an explosion, is trying to return to his home. The lights seen are the lights of his lantern and axe. - A lumberjack killed an engineer after insulting the engineer's girlfriend. The girlfriend then dated the lumberjack. The story goes that the engineer searches at night for his lost soul. - Scientific reasons, including mineral deposits, swamp gas, and lights reflecting off from Lake Superior For directions, refer to these two sites: Yahoo Map to The Paulding Lights and Map and Driving Directions . The site is located at Robbins Pond National Campground. (http://www.hu.mtu.edu/hu_dept/STC_pages/433design/life/paulding.htm)

The Mystery Light of the U.P. It appears at dusk and vibrates, grows, shrinks, splits and joins together all night long, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. What is it? Indian ghosts dancing on the power lines? The ghost of the brakeman who allowed two trains to crash? Swamp gas? Or just car headlights? A local writer has claimed a UFO connection and has named the alien "Yooskar". In this video you'll see and hear local residents and experts talk of their experiences, the local folklore and possible explanations. This video lets you decide! See the lights, hear the stories, explore different explanations. The Paulding Light is a year around phenomenon located in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan. The "Light" is such a phenomenon, The U.S. Department of Resources has placed a sign at the site offering their own theory. The Mystery Light of the U.P. has been investigated by universities, looked into by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and featured on nationally broadcast TV shows. Experience the light for yourself. (http://www.vkpro.com/html/mlup.html)

Paulding. Located 4 miles North of Watersmeet on US 45, then west on Robbins Pond Road, travel to intersection of road, don't turn left, stay straight on road to top of second small hill and park there for the mystery. The is a sign marking the best place to watch for the lights. Locate on Map Pictures: Place cursor over picture for description. None Background: Since it was first discovered it still defies explanation, it is an unsolved phenomenon of the North. Starting at dusk, the "light" will appear, float around, disappear and change colors. So far, no logical conclusions have been reached. The lights have been witnessed as being red, white and green. These lights are not to be confused with the Northern Lights. They are a phenomenon that is unique to northern Michigan. Various legends have developed concerning the lights. One myth explains the lights as the ghost of a railroad brakeman, while other say it is the ghost of an Indian dancing on the power lines. Some locals attest to the fact that the lights start over Lake Superior and make their way inland. The public is welcome to view the strange lights. At one time, Ripley's Believe It Or Not offered in excess of $100,000 to the person or persons who could solve a bizarre light phenomenon in Paulding, Michigan. This mystery light can be seen almost every clear night and continues to attract many visitors. There is no charge.( http://www.michiganghosts.homepage.com/paulding.html)

Name: Blair Anderson E-mail address: eyrie172@hotmail.com Comments: I've visited the Paulding Light on at least 6 occasions, being from Crystal Falls about 45 miles east of the light, and have chatted with people who've seen it over the course of many decades. Although it lacks in dazzle, it certainly makes up for it in mystery as it can be seen every night, including nights when the weather isn't exactly ideal. We've tried several 'homemade' experiments to prove or disprove it, but nothing has explained it. We've even seen it as a glowing ball of white light with two perfectly synchronized, blinking red lights on each side, which effectively rules out the 'swamp-gas' theory. It also does many other light-related things, but if you go to see it make sure to bring binoculars; it appears pretty far away! Allegedly, though, it can appear very uncomfortably close, but I haven't seen that happen yet. Also, if anyone has contributions on ghosts or other events in the U.P. (not Northern Michigan!), feel free to contact me. I'm interested in writing a semi-fictional book on some of the abundant but little-documented other hauntings of the Upper Peninsula, especially those surrounding my family and myself. For the next year, though, I'll be stationed at Osan AB in Korea for the USAF, so I can only be contacted through e-mail at this time. Thank you in advance. Monday February 19th 2001 01:10:49 (http://books.dreambook.com/mintshady/paulding.html)

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 17:50:50 -0800 (PST) To: stories@ghosts.org yourname Lena email Lena20@hotmail.com Hi I have been to the Paulding lights many of times and yes it really is freaky!!!! They say it was a man that got killed while working on the railroad and he came back haunt the old track that got taken out of there. Many of people come and visit this strange light and no one accually knows what it is. For a fact they know it's not headlights because it changes colors and sways back and forth!!!!! That is my knowledge of the Paulding lights. Come and take a look it worth the drive, stop at the casino on your way through!!!!!! Lena (http://www.ghosts.org/ghostlights/paulding2.html)

I go to MTU, in Houghton, MI and have visited the Paulding Light several times. Every time it has come out for me. In the winter and summer. During full moons and new moons. I've only been out at night though. I brought my telescope a couple of times and viewed it thorugh it and found some amazing things. It does NOT move. It appears as a red dot, then grows brighter, turning into white light. Then, it will either break into two or three small white dots (The dots flicker green/blue/red b/c of atmospheric effects.). Considering the small angle of observation of my telescope, I conclude that this light does not move since it never leaves the telescope's sight. The only time it moves is when it breaks apart and the dots kind of encircle each other. I think the reason the light appears to move to the naked eye is b/c of atmospheric effects (scintillation caused by changes in pressure and temperature in the horizontal distance between the viewer and the light). The light must be far away for these effects to happen. The one explanation of the lighthouse is possible but it doens't explain the breaking up and encircling of the light(s). Also, I need to get someone with GPS to go out there with me to get the exact location of the observing sight. Also, a topography would be very helpful too. I work in the Physics department at Tech and have access to a spectrometer (determines the composition of the lightsource). We are planning on taking it out to the sight this spring. It should be exciting. I'll keep you posted. I hope none of this seemed too scientific for anyone, but I think the only way to explain this mystery is through science...not folklore or ghost tales. If anyone has any info. about the light, please email me... cswillia@hotmail.com (http://www.senac.com/forums/1867/bin/177.html)

Copyright (C) 2001 Dr. Sten Odenwald