The "BRIDGEWATER TRIANGLE"

[GCR]

Okay, when it comes to a lot of this stuff, I'm sort of a die-hard skeptic with an open mind, if that makes any sense. And if it doesn't, I can't really help you there, as I'm not quite sure what it means, either...

Anyways, my point is, While I'm not out to disprove anything, I don't believe in ghosts/aliens/bigfoot/easter bunny/santa/tooth fairy/chupacabra/yeti/zombies/etc. But I do accept the possibility that these things could exist, and with enough evidence, I'd gladly accept any one of them as fact...

One thing I am is INTRIGUED by all sorts of paranormal & supernatural things, and that being the case, I thought I'd share some info about a little paranormal hotspot right in my own backyard. Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you, the Bridgewater Triangle.

It's about 200 square miles of supernatural fun, touted as the biggest paranormal hotspot in all of New England and it also happens to be my home (the EB in my profile location stands for East Bridgewater). The good ol' triangle, as we call it, has a little bit of everything. Indian Curses, Ghosts, Bigfoot, UFO's, there's something for everyone, come on down!

members.aol.com/soccorro64/btriangle.htm

www.masscrossroads.com/bristol

www.tauntongazette.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16636025&BRD=1711&PAG=461

apologyispolicy.blogspot.com/

ufos.about.com/b/a/256757.htm

-GCR

[indianatone]

Took me a while to get through all that, GCR, but is sure is interesting. Just from the urban legends alone I can see how a person can freak themselves out visiting that swamp. Whether true or not, it would definitely be one scary thrill to check a place like that out.

You ever been near the place or plan to be?

With some photos?

In gear?

[GCR]

indianatone said:

You ever been near the place or plan to be?

Yup. Actually, that's how I found out about it. Despite the fact that I've lived in one area in or near the triangle all of my life, I had never even heard about it until 7 or so years ago. Me and two of my buddies decided to go do some off-roading in my buddy's new Jeep. As many of the websites above explain, much of the swamp area within the triangle is somewhat remote, and guess what, we just happened to pick a nice ol' dirt road that lead into the depths of the damn(ed) swamp! We ended up getting stuck way out in the middle of nowhere, in 3 feet of muddy muck. The ordeal that followed lasted about 6 hours, and includes a lot of details that I'll leave out just to save time. So, long story (very, very long story) short, after hiking back to civilization to call for assistance (we had to have a back-hoe come and pull the Jeep out) I ended up telling the whole saga to my other friends and family. When my mother finally heard the story, and heard where it had all taken place, she remarked "what did you expect, it's the Bridgewater Triangle?" And that was the first I had heard of it. Since then, it's become a sort of pseudo-hobby of mine, researching some of the weird things that have happened around here.

indianatone said:

With some photos?

In gear?

Unfortunately, no photos, yet. I had planned a little weekend excursion a couple years ago, me and my girlfriend and a few of our friends were planning on hiking in and camping overnight, with both regular and video cameras and some audio tape recorders. The whole thing never got off the ground, though, I suspect it had something to do with my girlfriend seeing the "Blair Witch Project". Suddenly the idea of a group of people going camping with cameras in a creepy place didn't sound so cool to her anymore...oh well.

I'm determined to take a good trek through there sooner or later (this summer, hopefully). And when I do, you can bet I'll bring my camera!

I'm also planning on visiting "Dighton Rock", the rock covered with mysterious heiroglyphics that scientists can't identify, probably sometime next month. This particular site seems to have a certain "Indy" feel to it, I think.

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

I haven't had a chance to read all of what you posted GCR and I will when I have the time. I did get to read some of the first link and I found it very interesting. This is the first I've ever heard of your area and the "Triangle".

I'd say for the most part you and I are the same way. I think however I tend to be less skeptical than you when it comes to this stuff. I'm also very intrigued by these type of "stories" as well.

We have two spots here where I live that are at opposite ends of town but they are both called "The Devils Hollow" and both have their share of "legends". Back when I was younger I used to hear all sorts of crazy stories about both sites and of course both places were popular sites to visit by teens.....especially around Halloween. A lot of the time teens would go visit these places totally wasted so a lot of the stories I heard could easily be written off as drunken hallucinations. Ironically one of the sites is now a very upscale neighborhood and I don't hear much about either one anymore. I think the only stories that I ever really though might be possible were the reports of "Devil Worshipers" doing things around one or both of the sites.

There was one "legend" that was a personal favorite and the basic gist of it went that some person who lived in that area had a large some of cash that the either stole or earned and hid it somewhere deep in the woods. The only clue the person supposedly left to finding this "treasure" was supposed to be hidden in the pattern of a chain link fence near where the person lived and died. My friends and I searched for the house with this fence one time and we never found it. I was young at the time and I think I had just seen the movie "Goonies" so that prompted the search. ;D

I check out all of the stuff and post more later.......One thing that has always had me puzzled is why are there never any Bermuda or Bridgewater "Rectangles"? Why is everything always connected to a triangle? Isn't that odd in and of itself?

[indianatone]

See, now that's part of the fun stuff. The "hunt". The spooky tales and being in the spot where things are said to have occurred. Along those tales you mention, PH, there's a fun, nostalgic sense to this kind of stuff and I can't think of a better excuse to throw on a fedora and jacket than going out and checking into places like these.

This is almost worth creating an organization for gear-wearing ghost seekers who go out and - don't necessarily have to find anything as long as they look - take photographs for documented excursions.

Rule 1: Have your Fedora.
Rule 2: Legitimate location photos and story. No faking photos to "manifest" or dramatize the documentary. (This doesn't mean great pictures still can't be shown, cropped, etc. Just no adding the sensational.)

Who doesn't have some spot in their home town where something could be looked into? Great way to get out there for a change, too.

Anyone?

[pitfallharry]

I'm all for it. Although, I'd probably bring my whip as well. God knows I wouldn't want to really run into some of these "creatures" that have been sited without some kind of weapon.

Not only did this search occur during my "Goonies" phase I was also still heavily into Indy as well.

By the way Tone.....Aren't there any "Urban Legends" out where you live that you'd like to share?

[indianatone]

Well, short of a bunch of Ghosttowns in the middle of the desert, some touristified, others just plain abandoned and free-standing, one of the only big Urban Legends exists in The Superstition Mountains, known more for being the location to the infamous "Lost Dutchman's Mine." Throughout the years, people who've tried to go in there and find it have turned up dead or just missing altogether. Some say it's haunted by Native American spirits while the natives themselves have claimed the domain of these mountains is protected by a "Thunder" god.

Lots of info out there about the Lost Dutchman Mine and just as many versions of what is real and what is fake.

Before I moved, this mountain could be seen from my back yard.
www.prairieghosts.com/dutchman.html

This photo by me back in 2004 on crappy camera.


GCR, I will be moving this post from your Triangle thread just to keep the info here relevant to your topic. The above was basically reply info about Urban Legends in my neck of the woods. I'll write it up with more detail and move it out of "Bridgewater".

[GCR]

indianatone said:

GCR, I will be moving this post from your Triangle thread just to keep the info here relevant to your topic. The above was basically reply info about Urban Legends in my neck of the woods. I'll write it up with more detail and move it out of "Bridgewater".

Hey, no sweat, Tone. I actually started this thread as a chance to share some of my own, local "fear and folklore" in the hopes that others would not only find my info interesting, but would also share their own local legends, ghost stories, close encounters, etc. So I think the whole Superstition Mts. and Lost Dutchman's Mine is perfectly relevant!

And Pitfall, thanks for sharing your experiences as well! Like you, I had a few run-ins with "Lost Treasure Legends" in my youth. Unfortunately, nothing ever panned out for me, either... ;D

-GCR

[Connecticut Jones]

East Bridgewater eh GCR... One of these days when My Family Is up at Our Cottage i`ll have to pop over and say hello!

CJ

[GCR]

connecticutjones said:

East Bridgewater eh GCR... One of these days when My Family Is up at Our Cottage i`ll have to pop over and say hello!

CJ

By all means, CJ! Just make sure you don't get lost in the Triangle on the way!!! ;D

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

gcr said:

And Pitfall, thanks for sharing your experiences as well! Like you, I had a few run-ins with "Lost Treasure Legends" in my youth. Unfortunately, nothing ever panned out for me, either... ;D

-GCR

;D

Yeah, wouldn't that have been cool. I've always wanted to go on a treasure hunt where I ended up actually finding something.

This is great thread and I'm so glad the guys created this section. I could read and discuss stuff like this for hours.

It's nice that there is still a little "mystery" left in the world.

[GCR]

pitfallharry said:

gcr said:

And Pitfall, thanks for sharing your experiences as well! Like you, I had a few run-ins with "Lost Treasure Legends" in my youth. Unfortunately, nothing ever panned out for me, either... ;D

-GCR

;D

Yeah, wouldn't that have been cool. I've always wanted to go on a treasure hunt where I ended up actually finding something.

I found something once, but it wasn't really treasure, anymore. It would have been worth something, once, (especially in the time period when it was hidden) but not by the time I found it. And since I've already said this much, I might as well tell the whole story. I guess this story still fits in with this thread, as it DID occur within the limits of the Bridgewater Triangle ;D.

Anyways, I was about 12, it was the fall and school had just started. The Junior High School I went to was only 2 blocks from my grandmother's house, so I'd often times go there after school and visit with her, do my homework, etc. (My grandfather had recently passed away so I figured it'd be nice to keep her company) My grandmother lived in the same house she grew up in (it was purchased by her parents in 1930), and one day while she was cleaning her house she happened to find $7500 hidden in a little nook behind a radiator. The money had been hidden there by her father, back in the 1940's. (Judging by the dates on the bills) My Great-Grandfather had been a bootlegger during prohibition, "importing" small amounts of Canadian Whiskey down through NH and selling it throughout South Eastern MA. (Trust me though, he was no Al Capone) He had been through the Depression (the reason he started bootlegging in the first place...) and didn't trust banks. When my grandmother told me about the cash, she remarked that he had hidden odd sums of money all througout the house over the years. They once found about $4000 under the tank of a toilet, $2500 in the piano, $6000 under a loose slate in the cellar floor, $5000 under the old oriental rug in the living room...he had money stashed all over. (And he had forgotten about it as he got older)

Those tales set me off on a crazed search for my Great-Grandfather's lost fortune. Everyday after school I'd go to my grandmother's house and search high and low for another one of the hidden stashes of dough, but I always came up empty. Then, one day, a few weeks later, I decided to check out a built in China closet in the dining room. It had been built when the house was built, back in the late 20's, and hadn't been changed at all over the years, aside from a few new coats of paint every so often. I took out the drawers and one by one and looked around inside. Much to my surprise, I found that there was a loose panel of wood inside the cabinet, behind the area where the bottom drawer would sit. I pried it out of the wall revealing a small area a little bigger than the size of a milk crate and there, resting untouched since the early 30's, was a stash of 7 bottles of Jessie Moore Canadian Whiskey...all that was left of my Great-Grandfather's, er...merchandise.

Never found any cash, though...and what REALLY stunk, was that the booze wasn't even drinkable anymore...but it's still a cool story, in my opinion. Heck I've still got a few of the bottles to this day.

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

Yeah, that is a cool story and just reading about it gives me the same adrenaline rush you must have experienced while searching for the money.

By the way I just went through all of the links you posted and some of is really very creepy.....especially that "redheaded hitchhiker" ghost. Even if it's a legend it's still one of the creepier ones I've ever come across.

Indiana has it's fare share of "myths and legends" but nothing even remotely close to what Massachusetts seems to have. I can't help but somehow think the states rich history doesn't somehow play a role in why all of this seems to be occurring there. Not only do you have all of this going on you've got Salem and it's whole history with the Witches and all of those tales.

Certain parts of this country seem to be real focal points for these things....real or imaginary. My brother lives in New Jersey and he's told me on more than one occasion that the whole area is ripe with all sorts of bizarre tales.....similar to this. I guess there is even one favorite "hot spot" that is basically an entire small town that was deserted. He's not sure exactly what happened there but the area is now filled with sightings of strange lights and people claim a cult has made it's "home" in the woods surrounding it.

I'm really intrigued by the fact that areas like this, the Bermuda Triangle and others seem to be able to be connected by a triangle on a map. We've also got hundred's of sightings over the years of Triangle shaped UFO's as well. What is it about this shape? Do any of you know if there is any significant meaning behind the shape of a triangle when it comes to religion or anything else?

Have you ever heard any reports of sightings of a "Mothman"in your area? This creature seems to be very popular in West Virginia and has been spotted in several other states. Seems like your area would be a magnet for something like this.

Here's the link about The Mothman.....

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman

If I were to take a guess at why some of this stuff is hard to find or prove it exists is because it's not always "here". I can sort of buy into the theory that these things are crossing over from another plane of exsistance. Either that or the theories long held by certain people that there is an Interior World could explain that things like these "Bigfoot" might actually life underground and mostly "appear" at night because they are nocturnal. If they live underground then it would make sense that they'd mostly only come out during the evening because the bright sunlight would hurt their eyes.

[GCR]

pitfallharry said:

By the way I just went through all of the links you posted and some of is really very creepy.....especially that "redheaded hitchhiker" ghost. Even if it's a legend it's still one of the creepier ones I've ever come across.

Yeah, I've spent a lot of time driving the roads all through the triangle, and I have seen the occassional hitchhiker, but never one with red hair...

pitfallharry said:

Indiana has it's fare share of "myths and legends" but nothing even remotely close to what Massachusetts seems to have. I can't help but somehow think the states rich history doesn't somehow play a role in why all of this seems to be occurring there. Not only do you have all of this going on you've got Salem and it's whole history with the Witches and all of those tales.

I won't even touch the whole topic of Salem (had a bad experience there once), but I will agree that if it seems like old Massachusetts is just a bit creepier than a state like Indiana, it just might be that we had a little bit of a head start in terms history (well, New World European history, that is, not native American history...). After all, rumors have circulated for years of a possible Viking excursion reaching the Massachusetts shores sometime between 1000 and 1100 AD and of Portugese explorers living in exile in Mass around 1510, over 100 years before the Pilgrims showed up (and, strangely, both of these theories tie in with Dighton Rock, the rock with all the mysterious heiroglyphics carved into it that no one can seem to translate).

pitfallharry said:

Certain parts of this country seem to be real focal points for these things....real or imaginary. My brother lives in New Jersey and he's told me on more than one occasion that the whole area is ripe with all sorts of bizarre tales.....similar to this. I guess there is even one favorite "hot spot" that is basically an entire small town that was deserted. He's not sure exactly what happened there but the area is now filled with sightings of strange lights and people claim a cult has made it's "home" in the woods surrounding it.

Has your brother ever heard of the "Jersey Devil"? That's one local legend that grew to be so popular that people outside of New Jersey (like myself) have heard about it.

theshadowlands.net/jd.htm

As for cults, we've have our fair share of "cult lore" in these parts as well, though most of it is probably BS...

pitfallharry said:

I'm really intrigued by the fact that areas like this, the Bermuda Triangle and others seem to be able to be connected by a triangle on a map. We've also got hundred's of sightings over the years of Triangle shaped UFO's as well. What is it about this shape? Do any of you know if there is any significant meaning behind the shape of a triangle when it comes to religion or anything else?

I seriously don't give the "triangle" shape much of a thought in the case of the Bridgewater Triangle. I think the name is only used to draw an obvious connection with the far more popular, supernatural / mysterious hotspot down Bermuda way. After all, much of the literature on the Bridgewater Triangle states that strange activities and phenomenon have occurred in and around the triangle. A more appropriate name would probably be the Bridgewater Circle, as one could more easliy map all of the supernatural events within a specific radius of the hockomock swap, rather than trying to put most of them in a triangle. But then again, the "Bridgewater Circle" doesn't sound very creepy...

pitfallharry said:

Have you ever heard any reports of sightings of a "Mothman"in your area? This creature seems to be very popular in West Virginia and has been spotted in several other states. Seems like your area would be a magnet for something like this.

Nope, no Mothman sightings around here, to my knowledge. Unless there is some connection between the sightings of some sort of "large birds" that were documented within the triangle over the years and the mothman, which, I believe, was sometimes described as looking like a sort of large bird as well...

One thing is for sure, the Mothman movie scared the hell out of my girlfriend!

pitfallharry said:

If I were to take a guess at why some of this stuff is hard to find or prove it exists is because it's not always "here". I can sort of buy into the theory that these things are crossing over from another plane of exsistance. Either that or the theories long held by certain people that there is an Interior World could explain that things like these "Bigfoot" might actually life underground and mostly "appear" at night because they are nocturnal. If they live underground then it would make sense that they'd mostly only come out during the evening because the bright sunlight would hurt their eyes.

While I maintain my stance as a "Non-believer, who isn't looking to believe, but will gladly believe with the right evidence", I can also say that in terms of cryptozoology, the one thing I find most readily believable would have to be some sort of Bigfoot creature. While I don't know if such a creature could exist in the Hockomock swap area and remain undetected for hundreds of years, I think a creature like this existing in some of the vast stretches of wilderness in the western parts of North America is a distinct possibility. I also think the "Patterson" film taken back in '67 is quite possibly the biggest piece of evidence that such creatures do exist...it seems too natural (both in the movement of the creature as well as movement of the muscles under the creatures flesh & fur) to have been faked using suits and special effects available back in the late 60's. But this is probably fuel for another thread...

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

Yeah, my brother has heard of the Jersey Devil legend but I don't know if he's ever gone up to the Pine Barron's where the "Devil" is supposed to have been spotted over the years.

Your probably right about them just using the "triangle" name to make it sound more ominous or link it to something more famous like the Bermuda one. Although, to be fair some of the weird things that have occurred in Bermuda haven't necessarily been within the triangle itself.

Indiana is rather flat and we don't really have the wooded areas like some of the other states do but I was shocked to learn that there have even been Bigfoot spotting's here as well. Mostly though it's either UFO's or ghosts when it comes to weird stuff around here.

That's one thing that I find rather interesting about your area. Usually you'll have sightings and reports on one or two of these phenomena in an area but Bridgewater has everything in the book......with the exception of the Loch Ness Monster. ;D That's what I find so fascinating with all of this.

Do you know if they've ever done any environmental studies of the areas within the "triangle"? The skeptic side of me thinks that maybe all of this is caused by mass hallucinations created by something in the environment. We all know certain mushrooms can cause someone to hallucinate and mushrooms are a fungus so I'm wondering if maybe there isn't something around there, a plant or fungus , that has yet to be discovered that could be sending trace amounts of "pollen" into the air that might cause a human to a hallucinate if inhaled?

Another "theory" with areas that our saturated with phenomena like this could be a very easily explained.....if your paranoid about our govt. I could see our govt. creating hoaxes like this just to keep people from knowing what they're really up to. Spread a bunch of rumors with false accounts and throw a little light show and that will keep most people talking and not even wanting to go near the area. Lord only knows what the military might be up to around these areas but my guess is that it isn't good. Probably the only "true" eye witness accounts might be the ones where people have witnessed military helicopters in the area off and on.


Oh, and my wife didn't like that Mothman movie either. It creeped her out as well. I on the other hand enjoyed it and that was my first exposure to this particular legend that by the way has got to be one of the most unique and bizarre of the bunch..........Well, besides reports of people seeing birds with humanoid faces.

[GCR]

Just wanted to dust off this old thread and give it a bump to let everyone know that I'm planning a little excursion to tour a few of the "hotspots" within the Bridgewater Triangle. I'm shooting for the second weekend in August, though I may push that back depending on how much time I plan on spending in some of the more remote areas of the Hockomock swamp. If I decide to actually camp overnight within the depths of the swamp, I may need a week or two longer for planning and gathering gear, etc.

I intend to take a few cameras with me, both regular "still" photography and a video camera, along with some sound recording devices, to see if I can manage to record any "paranormal happenings". Needless to say I'll have plenty of pics when I get back. Worst case scenario, I end up with a lot of pics of me just goofing around, hiking through some swampland in gear. Best case scenario? I have lunch with Bigfoot, dinner with ghosts and catch a ride back home on a UFO. ;D

Stay tuned!

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

Are you going alone?

The worse case scenario is that we never hear from you again! I have to admit I would like to grab my gear and go exploring there myself but I wouldn't do it without a real gun.

I'm looking forward to your report back. Just make sure your a 'cautious fellow and watch what your doing.

If something does happen to you will you leave me your hat collection? ;D ;D ;D

[Ragingblues]

Best case scenario? I have lunch with Bigfoot, dinner with ghosts and catch a ride back home on a UFO.

Stay tuned!

Isn't that all part of the rumored Indy 4 plot? ;D

Best of luck keeping the paranormal critters at bay. Be sure to let us know if you have to pee on your own shirt and wear it on your head to keep cool. You know.... survival kind of stuff.

Ken

[GCR]

pitfallharry said:

Are you going alone?

The worse case scenario is that we never hear from you again! I have to admit I would like to grab my gear and go exploring there myself but I wouldn't do it without a real gun.

I'm looking forward to your report back. Just make sure your a 'cautious fellow and watch what your doing.

If something does happen to you will you leave me your hat collection? ;D ;D ;D

Never fear, Pitfall, I shall be adequately outfitted with several means of self-protection.

And yes...if I do not return, the hats are all yours, except the AB Deluxe, which I'll be wearing of course.

admin said:

Best case scenario? I have lunch with Bigfoot, dinner with ghosts and catch a ride back home on a UFO.

Stay tuned!

Isn't that all part of the rumored Indy 4 plot? ;D

;D It does have a familiar ring to it...

Now if I bump into Shia LaBeuoff (sp?) while I'm out there, then I'll be REALLY scared. ;D

admin said:

Best of luck keeping the paranormal critters at bay. Be sure to let us know if you have to pee on your own shirt and wear it on your head to keep cool. You know.... survival kind of stuff.

Ken

Ah yes, the ol' Bear Grylls, all-natural, personal cooling system. ;D If I get THAT hot...I'll just go home. ;D

-GCR