• Sunday-What'sUP April 6 - 05:10 am

I didn't grow up in the U.P. As a kid, the first time I saw Upper Michigan was in the early 60's with my family, as we drove six hours north to cross the new Mackinac Bridge. Around this same time a legend surfaced near Watersmeet, in the village of Paulding, where a strange light began to appear on a regular basis. Mike Wendland of the Detroit Free Press tracked down this story recently, and provides today's guest Pasty Cameo about the phenomenon.

As always, thanks for stopping by Pasty Central. Treat yourself to some Breakfast Pasties while you're here. Have a good week :o)

I had never heard of this b 4. Interesting.

I hadn't heard of it either. Interesting indeed.

These type of stories/myths always have interested me! My husbands grandfather was a brakeman for The Milwaukee Road Railway...not a fluffy job!!

I just asked my Dad what he's heard about it and he said he's heard that it likely has something to do with the power lines and static electricity or something like that. He hasn't seen it himself, but has first-hand accounts from neighbors who have. Pretty interesting way to get on the map, eh?

I've been to the Paulding Light. It's funny how a bunch of strangers stand around in the pitch black night watching the light! It's been on the Ripleys Believe It or Not TV show. Here's the story I've always heard: The brakeman always waved his lantern out the train window to alert his wife that he was almost home. One time he leaned out too far and was beheaded, and that is why his ghost is still waving the light for his bride! The other cool thing is the deer that walk around in the bar parking lot paying no attention to the patrons.

I've been to the Paulding Light. It's funny how a bunch of strangers stand around in the pitch black night watching the light! It's been on the Ripleys Believe It or Not TV show. Here's the story I've always heard: The brakeman always waved his lantern out the train window to alert his wife that he was almost home. One time he leaned out too far and was beheaded, and that is why his ghost is still waving the light for his bride! The other cool thing is the deer that walk around in the bar parking lot paying no attention to the patrons. Our Genesee High football team goes up there to a friend's cabin for "football camp". They've walked towards the light trying to find it's source to no avail. I think I heard they did that on snowmobiles, too.

it also changes color - to red and green, and gets larger and smaller - really eerie

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND PATIENCE!!

I've seen this light so many times. In high school we would go there really often.

I saw this on Ripleys Believe It or Not a lot of people will try to debunk it and with no avail they can't explain it. I have listed this place on my places to visit a long time ago. I've experienced the paranormal and this one is extremely interesting to me.

Paulding Light, also called Dog Meadow Light. The second name is very seldom used, although you can search it on Google and it comes up as Paulding Light. I have seen the light at least 3 times starting probably 15 years ago. The first time at the insistence of my oldest daughter, after she had seen a story about it on Ripley's Believe it or Not. Ripley's couldn't figure it out and they actually have a reward or award for anyone that can explain it. I think the amount is $100,000.00, at least that's according to Google. Some of the reasons given for it are swamp gas, or gas that escapes the earth before a earthquake etc etc. Also since power lines, line the site it's the power lines that cause the light. The problem with that is the lights were first documented in 1903 long before the power lines were even in anyone dreams. Also it is said you can only see them on clear dry days, not true one time that I was there it was raining and lightning. After the lightning flash and your eyes returned to normal you could see the light again. They also say pranksters cause the light. They must be dedicated pranksters, also they must be able to fly since they leave no tracts or trail. NMU Physics Club visits the site yearly, Mich Tech has also looked into the light. No one can explain it or its origins. So I guess it's a MYSTERY.

Greetings:

I have seen the Paulding Light back in 1970-71, and if I didn't have a witness at the time I never would have believed what I saw. Darkness, then a light.

When the present photo is lightened there are high voltage poles around the light. I don't recall the power poles being there in 1970-71. Is the picture correct?

JT

I remember seeing the Paulding Light with several friends back
in the late 70's. My best buddy Bob was getting married so a
group of us rented a cabin in St. Germain. I don't remember
fishing that much, rained like ••••. I think we drank and played
cards. But one night we drove up to Watersmeet to see the lights
and then over to Iron River for dinner at the Riverside. My
friends were all city guys and couldn't get over the UP (why
would anyone want to live here.....).