America’s Cursed ‘Bermuda Triangle’: Bigfoot, UFOs, and the Forbidden Color Locals Warn Against
The Mysterious Bennington Triangle: Vermont’s Enigmatic "Bermuda Triangle"
Nestled in southern Vermont, the quaint town of Bennington charms visitors with Revolutionary War monuments, vibrant fall foliage, and snowy mountain vistas. Yet just beyond its idyllic streets lies the Bennington Triangle—a 100-square-mile zone shrouded in chilling mysteries, vanishings, and eerie folklore. Dubbed America’s “Bermuda Triangle,” this area centered around Glastenbury Mountain has baffled locals and investigators for decades.
Vanishing Without a Trace
Between 1945 and 1950, five people disappeared under puzzling circumstances:
- Middie Rivers (1945): A 74-year-old seasoned guide vanished while leading hunters near Glastenbury Mountain.
- Paula Welden (1946): An 18-year-old Bennington College student went missing during a solo hike. She was last seen in a red jacket, sparking superstitions about the color.
- James Tedford (1949): A WWII veteran disappeared after boarding a bus to visit relatives.
- Paul “Buddy” Jepson (1950): An 8-year-old boy vanished while helping his mother with chores. Like Welden, he wore red.
- Freida Langer (1950): An experienced hiker disappeared weeks after Jepson. Her body was found months later—the only one ever recovered.
Paula Welden vanished in 1946 while hiking near Glastenbury Mountain. Her case led to the creation of Vermont’s State Police.
Locals still avoid wearing red in the area, fearing the “curse” linked to the disappearances.
Paranormal Phenomena and Legends
Beyond the vanishings, the Triangle is rife with reports of UFOs, unexplained lights, and encounters with a Bigfoot-like creature dubbed the “Bennington Monster.” Author Joseph Citro, who coined the term “Bennington Triangle” in 1992, recounts baffling stories:
- A detective investigating Welden’s case claimed he’d found her remains in a buried car trunk—then vanished himself before revealing details.
- Visitors report eerie sounds, sudden odors, and even human hair left on trail markers.
Sightings of a Bigfoot-like creature and UFOs add to the Triangle’s mystique.
Local Encounters
Residents share spine-tingling experiences:
- Rebecca Silver recalled childhood tales of UFO chambers beneath Bald Mountain. A nighttime hike left her feeling “watched.”
- Nancy Kozial found strands of dark hair on a trail cairn in 2003, prompting her to flee the area.
- Autumn Post mentioned a friend who experienced unexplained “lost time” while camping.
Trails in the Green Mountain National Forest hold secrets of those who vanished.
Theories and Skepticism
While some attribute the disappearances to treacherous terrain or wildlife, others speculate about portals or supernatural forces. Citro notes, “The vanishings are historical fact. But linking them to Bigfoot or UFOs? I resist that leap.”
Historian Joseph Hall, who remembers the 1940s cases, suggests mundane explanations—like Rivers falling into an abandoned well—but admits, “It’s a mystery.”
Glastenbury’s rugged terrain complicates search efforts for missing persons.
Legacy of the Triangle
Despite its dark reputation, the area remains popular for hiking and camping. The Long Trail traverses Glastenbury, drawing both thrill-seekers and skeptics. For Citro, the Triangle’s allure lies in its unanswered questions: “Early settlers reported phantom lights and strange odors. The mysteries are as old as the hills themselves.”
Whether cursed land or coincidence, the Bennington Triangle continues to haunt Vermont’s folklore—a reminder that some secrets stay buried in the wilderness.
The Green Mountain National Forest’s vastness hides countless stories—and perhaps a few monsters.
