In the remote wilderness of southern Vermont lies a stretch of land known for its beauty—and for its legends. The Bennington Triangle, a term coined by author and folklorist Joseph A. Citro in 1992, refers to a roughly 36-square-mile region surrounding Glastonbury Mountain, northeast of the town of Bennington. Isolated by rugged peaks and dense forest within the Green Mountain National Forest, this area has long been the site of mysterious phenomena, unexplained disappearances, and eerie folklore passed down for generations.
Though modern attention surged in the mid-20th century, strange tales surrounding the Bennington Triangle trace back much further, weaving together Native American legends, early settler accounts, and paranormal speculation.
A Landscape Steeped in Silence and Story
The region’s central landmark, Glastonbury Mountain, once supported a small settlement chartered in 1761. But with its steep terrain, short growing season, and harsh weather, Glastonbury struggled to survive. By 1937, it was officially disincorporated by the state—left to the forest and the shadows.
Despite its abandonment, the land around Glastonbury never faded from collective memory. Reports from early settlers spoke of strange sounds in the woods and foul, unexplained odors. Native tribes in the region had long avoided the mountain, believing it to be cursed. Some legends spoke of a mysterious stone that would consume anyone who touched it.
The Bennington Monster and the Birth of a Legend
One of the earliest documented stories emerged in the 1800s, when a stagecoach driver traveling near Glastonbury reportedly encountered massive, human-like footprints in the mud. This tale laid the foundation for the legend of the Bennington Monster, a Bigfoot-like creature said to roam the mountains.
The story was quickly folded into the area’s growing lore, blending with accounts of strange voices, vanishing animals, and unidentifiable figures moving through the woods.
Disappearances That Defy Explanation
Between 1945 and 1950, a series of unsolved disappearances solidified the Bennington Triangle’s place in American folklore:
- Middy Rivers (1945): A 74-year-old local hunting guide disappeared while leading a group near Hell Hollow Brook. Despite an intensive search, only a rifle cartridge was found.
- Paula Welden (1946): An 18-year-old college student vanished while hiking the Long Trail near Glastonbury Mountain. No trace was ever found, despite one of Vermont’s largest manhunts.
- James Tedford (1949): A veteran returning to the Bennington Soldiers’ Home vanished while riding a public bus. Witnesses saw him aboard shortly before arrival—but he was gone when the bus reached its destination, with his belongings left behind.
- Paul Jepson (1950): An 8-year-old boy disappeared near his family’s farm, also at the base of Glastonbury Mountain. Despite wearing a bright red jacket and a coordinated search using bloodhounds, he was never found.
- Freda Langer (1950): The only case where a body was recovered. Langer disappeared during a hike near the Somerset Reservoir. Her remains were found months later in an area that had already been searched. The cause of death could not be determined.
Each case shared common elements: proximity to Glastonbury, a sudden and silent vanishing, and a lack of physical evidence. No remains or definitive leads were found in most cases, and the disappearances remain unsolved.
Theories and Speculation
The mysterious nature of these cases has given rise to numerous theories. Some suggest that the disappearances are the result of human predators or individuals living off-grid in the wilderness. Others believe in paranormal explanations—such as interdimensional portals, time slips, or the influence of spiritual energy concentrated in the mountains.
The notion of the region being “cursed” stems in part from Native beliefs that the mountain held dangerous energy. Joseph Citro, in his writings, explored this idea further, suggesting the area may be a “window area”—a place where the veil between dimensions is thin, leading to high occurrences of strange phenomena.
Enduring Fascination and Cultural Impact
Today, the Bennington Triangle is a frequent topic in books, podcasts, and paranormal documentaries. Hikers and curious travelers still visit the area, some hoping to experience the mystery for themselves. Despite its eerie reputation, the forest remains quiet—perhaps even peaceful to the uninitiated.
Whether one leans toward natural explanations, criminal theories, or the paranormal, the Bennington Triangle continues to capture the imagination. Its combination of historical intrigue, cultural legends, and very real loss keeps it firmly rooted in New England’s most compelling unsolved mysteries.
References
Citro, Joseph A. Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls, and Unsolved Mysteries. University Press of New England, 1994.
Vermont Historical Society. “The Bennington Triangle.” Vermont Folklore Journal, 1996.
“Bennington Triangle: Vermont’s Haunted Mystery.” New England Legends. Accessed October 2024.