The Paulding Light: An Unexplained Spectacle
The Paulding Light
The Paulding Light (also known as the Watersmeet Light) is a “ghost light” that appears over a valley between a row of trees and power lines in Paulding, Michigan.
The light appears, almost consistently, every night. The times of the light appearing during night do vary as well as the length of time that the light stays visible.
The Legend & First Sighting
Paulding legend states that the light is actually the light of a lantern from a railroad brakeman who died trying to stop a train from colliding with another. (Origin date of story unknown.)
The first official documented sighting of the light was in 1966 by a group of teens. However, many people claim that the light has been visible since the late 1800’s.
Paulding Light Welcome Sign
Causes and Speculations
There have been many speculations of what exactly causes the light. Some say it's car lights from a road in the distance. Some say it's natural gas from a swamp that causes the phenomenon. Others say it’s a UFO, or a star. However, most swear it’s a ghost light.
Attempts To Debunk The Paulding Light
Over the years, there have been many attempts to debunk the light.
The two most notable attempts were made by the TV show “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files” in the episode "Blazing Horizon/Rollover", and a group of students from Michigan Tech.
While the crew from "Fact or Faked" were unable to debunk the light, the students from Michigan Tech claim that they debunked it as car lights. However, many people dispute this claim for the fact that if you stand directly under where the light is located you cannot see it, but people in front of it still can. If it were car lights, the light should be visible from any direction and not limited to only the front view.
Don't Pass It Up!
I think the Paulding Light is too awesome a spectacle not to see. So, if you're planning a trip to Michigan anytime soon, be sure to make room in your schedule to stop and witness this mysterious phenomenon.
Fact or Faked: Blazing Horizon/Rollover
Rate This Article
© 2017 Cleo Addams
Comments
Cleo Addams (author) from USA on November 21, 2017:
@Robert P
You're welcome! :)
Robert P from Canada on November 21, 2017:
Thank you for introducing me to this interesting phenomenon.
Kierstin Gunsberg from Traverse City, Michigan on September 18, 2017:
Cleo, I survived.
Cleo Addams (author) from USA on September 17, 2017:
@KierstinGunsberg
Thank you for the comment! Hope you were able to sleep, lol.
Kierstin Gunsberg from Traverse City, Michigan on September 16, 2017:
I love weird unsolved phenomena and didn't realize this was right here in Michigan! Thanks for sharing, off to go Google my brains out before bed and creep myself out too hard to sleep.
