The Mystery of The Paulding Light
There are few mysteries as interesting as the The Paulding Light of Michigan. Appearing on popular T.V shows such as “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files” and “Ripley’s: Believe it or Not”, the origin of the light has been vigorously debated over the last several years. Join us as we look at the origin of this mystery and provide some of the more logical explanations for this phenomenon.
With reports dating all the way back to 1960, the Paulding Light has been baffling scientists and raising more questions then answers. While some studies have proposed theories to the origin of the light, none of them have been totally conclusive.
The light appears regularly (daily) in a valley outside of Paulding, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, near Watersmeet off of US 45.
So what are some of the theories?
The Light is Car Headlights
This theory seems to be the most plausible and is backed up by a group of University students. In 2010, students from the Michigan Tech used a telescope to examine the light, and were able to view vehicles and objects on a highway, including a specific Adopt a Highway sign. They were also able to recreate the light by driving through a specific stretch of US 45 and also hypothesize that the change in intensity is due to different types of light, such as police flashers. This study counteracts a set of experiments conducted by the folks over at “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files”. One of the experiments recreated the very theory that the Michigan Tech students suggested, and they believed that was not the cause of the light. Whether or not this was faked to perpetuate the myth is up for debate. The show, “Ripley’s: Believe or Not” also offered a 100,000 to whoever could solve the mystery, and no one has been able to definitively prove that the light is cars.
There are several eyewitness accounts that seem to suggest that the light is nothing but cars and a natural light reflection that can be viewed better through a set of high-powered binoculars.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIQ8DpWC_Q
Whether or not that this is actually an explanation remains to be seen, however it certainly is interesting despite some of the inconsistencies with this theory.
There’s paranormal phenomenon in the area
This next theory seems to be a stretch and not really supported by any substantial evidence. Apparently local legends postulate around the death of a railroad brakeman. The legend states that the valley once contained railroad tracks and the light is the lantern of the brakeman who was killed while attempting to stop an oncoming train from colliding with railway cars. Allegedly to some locals there was never train tracks in the area, thus making this theory seem far more than a stretch. There’s also other variations of the theory which involves the violent death of some other person. This seems to be the least of the credible explanations for the light as the town, much in the same was Gettysberg has latched onto the legend of paranormal claims as a way of boosting the local economy.
What do you think?
Car headlights, paranormal activity, or some other natural phenomena that hasn’t been explained yet; What do you think the light is? Let us know in the comment section.
Remption
April 30, 2012 @ 7:16 pm
I’ve actually driven up and seen those. I remember talking to a local, who said that one night, she and a friend were out watching the lights. They then drove to the same place separately, leaving about five minutes apart, and the lady arrived about an hour late. She swore she drove normally.
I take this one with a grain of salt, but it’s interesting.
Casey
May 22, 2012 @ 12:15 am
We have seen these lights a couple times, and they are known to show up without fail. So glad this is being looked into further.
Kim
February 13, 2013 @ 8:14 am
Yes there is a light there Its clearly seen on the screen if I was able to go there I do think I would be able to crack this I have a theory I am going to have to save some cash to go there and I will be the one to crack this case. I will upload a vid once I am done doing my research