1909-1910: Mystery Airship Wave

In the winter months of 1909 and 1910, a curious fever spread across the skies of the northeastern United States. Newspapers from Massachusetts to Maryland carried stories of strange, lighted craft gliding silently through the night. These sightings, later termed the “Mystery Airship” wave, occurred decades before the modern UFO era and remain one of the earliest large-scale instances of the public grappling with the unknown in the heavens. Though Delaware was not the epicenter of the phenomenon, its towns, editors, and readers were . . . [More]

1909-1910: Mystery Airship Wave

In the winter months of 1909 and 1910, a curious fever spread across the skies of the northeastern United States. Newspapers from Massachusetts to Maryland carried stories of strange, lighted craft gliding silently through the night. These sightings, later termed the “Mystery Airship” wave, occurred decades before the modern UFO era and remain one of the earliest large-scale instances of the public grappling with the unknown in the heavens. Though Delaware was not the epicenter of the phenomenon, its towns, editors, and readers were . . . [More]

June 1878: Charles F. Ritchel’s Dirigible

In the summer of 1878, the skies over Hartford, Connecticut, hosted a sight so extraordinary that it imprinted itself deeply on the public imagination. On June 12 of that year, Charles F. Ritchel, an inventor and mechanical visionary from Bridgeport, conducted one of the earliest successful flights of a steerable, lighter-than-air craft in the United States. His demonstration was not only a technical marvel for its time, but also a symbolic milestone in the evolution of humanity’s relationship with flight. Although not a UFO event in t . . . [More]

June 1878: Charles F. Ritchel’s Dirigible

In the summer of 1878, the skies over Hartford, Connecticut, hosted a sight so extraordinary that it imprinted itself deeply on the public imagination. On June 12 of that year, Charles F. Ritchel, an inventor and mechanical visionary from Bridgeport, conducted one of the earliest successful flights of a steerable, lighter-than-air craft in the United States. His demonstration was not only a technical marvel for its time, but also a symbolic milestone in the evolution of humanity’s relationship with flight. Although not a UFO event in t . . . [More]

April 1897: Kendall Mountain Lights

In the spring of 1897, a wave of “mystery airships” or supernatural / unknown aerial lights swept across many parts of the United States. In Colorado, among the more notable reports was one from Silverton, in the San Juan Mountains, at the Silver Lake Mine, east of Kendall Mountain. On or about April 24, 1897, the Silverton Standard newspaper printed an account by a night watchman, Mr. T. K. Holden, who claimed to have seen two yellow lights approximately eight feet apart, hovering about 1,000 feet above the ground. From that van . . . [More]

April 1897: Kendall Mountain Lights

In the spring of 1897, a wave of “mystery airships” or supernatural / unknown aerial lights swept across many parts of the United States. In Colorado, among the more notable reports was one from Silverton, in the San Juan Mountains, at the Silver Lake Mine, east of Kendall Mountain. On or about April 24, 1897, the Silverton Standard newspaper printed an account by a night watchman, Mr. T. K. Holden, who claimed to have seen two yellow lights approximately eight feet apart, hovering about 1,000 feet above the ground. From that van . . . [More]

August 1965: Red Bluff UFO Encounter

On the night of August 13, 1960, California Highway Patrol Officers Charles A. Carson and Stanley E. Scott were patrolling Hoag Road, east of Corning in Tehama County—just south of Red Bluff—when they witnessed something extraordinary. As described in their official teletype report and later documented by UFO researchers: “At 11:50 p.m., we saw what at first appeared to be a huge airliner dropping from the sky. The object was very low and directly in front of us… there was an absolute silence… [then] suddenly . . . [More]

August 1965: Red Bluff UFO Encounter

On the night of August 13, 1960, California Highway Patrol Officers Charles A. Carson and Stanley E. Scott were patrolling Hoag Road, east of Corning in Tehama County—just south of Red Bluff—when they witnessed something extraordinary. As described in their official teletype report and later documented by UFO researchers: “At 11:50 p.m., we saw what at first appeared to be a huge airliner dropping from the sky. The object was very low and directly in front of us… there was an absolute silence… [then] suddenly . . . [More]

Native American Oral Traditions: Star-People

Long before European contact, many Native tribes in California— including the Chumash, Yokuts, and Miwok peoples—told stories of beings who came from the sky, taught knowledge, or watched from above. These oral traditions describe luminous beings, ancestors in the stars, and multi-layered cosmologies—cultural patterns that resonate with modern UFO themes, though they hold deep spiritual and worldview significance. Chumash Cosmology & Star People The Chumash of coastal Southern California and the Channel Islands be . . . [More]

Native American Oral Traditions: Star-People

Long before European contact, many Native tribes in California— including the Chumash, Yokuts, and Miwok peoples—told stories of beings who came from the sky, taught knowledge, or watched from above. These oral traditions describe luminous beings, ancestors in the stars, and multi-layered cosmologies—cultural patterns that resonate with modern UFO themes, though they hold deep spiritual and worldview significance. Chumash Cosmology & Star People The Chumash of coastal Southern California and the Channel Islands be . . . [More]

April 1897: Texarkana Arkansas UFO

In the spring of 1897, the skies above Arkansas were alive with stories that would later become a defining part of America’s early UFO lore. One of the most intriguing and least embellished of these reports occurred on April 17, 1897, in the city of Texarkana, Miller County. On that day, a group of children witnessed what they described as a "huge ball of fire traveling with fearful velocity." This seemingly simple account would go on to be recorded in the Daily Texarkanian and later cited by numerous researchers as a key ent . . . [More]

April 1897: Texarkana Arkansas UFO

In the spring of 1897, the skies above Arkansas were alive with stories that would later become a defining part of America’s early UFO lore. One of the most intriguing and least embellished of these reports occurred on April 17, 1897, in the city of Texarkana, Miller County. On that day, a group of children witnessed what they described as a "huge ball of fire traveling with fearful velocity." This seemingly simple account would go on to be recorded in the Daily Texarkanian and later cited by numerous researchers as a key ent . . . [More]

1890 – San Carlos Apache Light Manifestation

In 1890, near the San Carlos Apache Reservation in southeastern Arizona, a remarkable event occurred that has been preserved through Apache oral history. Elders recount witnessing a luminous sphere descending near a ceremonial site, hovering momentarily, and then ascending rapidly into the sky. Described as a “spirit light from the stars,” this phenomenon disrupted ongoing rituals and left a lasting impression on the community. Cultural Context and Interpretation For the Apache people, the natural world is deeply intertwine . . . [More]

1890 – San Carlos Apache Light Manifestation

In 1890, near the San Carlos Apache Reservation in southeastern Arizona, a remarkable event occurred that has been preserved through Apache oral history. Elders recount witnessing a luminous sphere descending near a ceremonial site, hovering momentarily, and then ascending rapidly into the sky. Described as a “spirit light from the stars,” this phenomenon disrupted ongoing rituals and left a lasting impression on the community. Cultural Context and Interpretation For the Apache people, the natural world is deeply intertwine . . . [More]

1892 – Bisbee Region Copper Camp Light Columns

In the annals of mining history, the town of Bisbee, Arizona, stands out not only for its rich copper deposits but also for its unique and sometimes enigmatic occurrences. One such event, reported in 1892, involves the appearance of mysterious vertical beams of light during mining operations. While this account has been mentioned in various discussions and anecdotal references, it is important to note that comprehensive primary sources detailing this specific incident are scarce. Nevertheless, the story persists in local lore, reflecting the . . . [More]

1892 – Bisbee Region Copper Camp Light Columns

In the annals of mining history, the town of Bisbee, Arizona, stands out not only for its rich copper deposits but also for its unique and sometimes enigmatic occurrences. One such event, reported in 1892, involves the appearance of mysterious vertical beams of light during mining operations. While this account has been mentioned in various discussions and anecdotal references, it is important to note that comprehensive primary sources detailing this specific incident are scarce. Nevertheless, the story persists in local lore, reflecting the . . . [More]

1897 Airship Wave – Alabama Sightings

Between late 1896 and mid-1897, the United States experienced a series of mysterious aerial sightings collectively known as the "airship wave." While many reports originated from the Midwest and West, Alabama also recorded several accounts, contributing to this early chapter in American UFO history. Nature of the Sightings The airships were often described as cigar-shaped crafts equipped with bright lights, capable of maneuvering in ways inconsistent with known aircraft of the time. These sightings occurred nearly a decade b . . . [More]

1897 Airship Wave – Alabama Sightings

Between late 1896 and mid-1897, the United States experienced a series of mysterious aerial sightings collectively known as the "airship wave." While many reports originated from the Midwest and West, Alabama also recorded several accounts, contributing to this early chapter in American UFO history. Nature of the Sightings The airships were often described as cigar-shaped crafts equipped with bright lights, capable of maneuvering in ways inconsistent with known aircraft of the time. These sightings occurred nearly a decade b . . . [More]

1741–1867: Russian Colonial UFO Reports

During the period of Russian colonization in Alaska, from 1741 to 1867, various accounts from Orthodox missionaries, fur traders, and military personnel documented unusual aerial phenomena. These reports, found in personal letters, mission logs, and official records, describe events that, while interpreted through the religious and cultural lenses of the time, bear similarities to modern descriptions of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The 1762 Kodiak Island "Burning Star" In 1762, Russian Orthodox missionaries on Kodiak I . . . [More]

1741–1867: Russian Colonial UFO Reports

During the period of Russian colonization in Alaska, from 1741 to 1867, various accounts from Orthodox missionaries, fur traders, and military personnel documented unusual aerial phenomena. These reports, found in personal letters, mission logs, and official records, describe events that, while interpreted through the religious and cultural lenses of the time, bear similarities to modern descriptions of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The 1762 Kodiak Island "Burning Star" In 1762, Russian Orthodox missionaries on Kodiak I . . . [More]