Bennington Triangle Creature

The Bennington Triangle Creature: Vermont’s Enduring Enigma

Deep in the Green Mountains of southwestern Vermont lies a stretch of wilderness that has captivated storytellers, paranormal enthusiasts, and cryptid hunters for decades. Known as the Bennington Triangle, this region—centered around Glastenbury Mountain—has earned a reputation as one of America’s most unsettling locales. Its chilling history of disappearances, eerie legends, and sightings of a monstrous figure have made it a magnet for speculation and fear.

Origins of the Bennington Triangle

The term “Bennington Triangle” was coined by author Joseph A. Citro in 1992, drawing parallels to the infamous Bermuda Triangle. The area encompasses the towns of Bennington, Woodford, Shaftsbury, and the ghost towns of Somerset and Glastenbury. Once a bustling logging region, Glastenbury fell into decline in the late 19th century, leaving behind ruins and silence—a perfect backdrop for mystery.

Native American lore adds another layer of unease. Algonquin legends warned of a “man-eating stone” hidden in the mountains, said to swallow anyone who stepped upon it. Tribes avoided the area, believing it cursed. Whether these stories were cautionary tales or rooted in unexplained phenomena, they set the stage for centuries of fear.

The Bennington Monster: A Cryptid in the Shadows

Among the Triangle’s most enduring legends is the Bennington Monster, a creature often described as a towering, hairy figure resembling Bigfoot. Reports date back to the early 1800s when a stagecoach was allegedly attacked by a massive beast after passengers spotted enormous footprints in the mud. Witnesses claimed the creature was strong enough to overturn the coach, leaving terrified travelers scrambling for safety.

Later accounts painted the monster as a black, shaggy figure standing over six feet tall, with glowing eyes and an unearthly roar. Sightings persisted into the 20th century, fueling theories that this cryptid might be linked to the region’s unexplained vanishings.

Disappearances That Cemented the Legend

Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished without a trace in the Bennington Triangle:

1. Middie Rivers (1945): A seasoned hunting guide who disappeared while leading a group through Hell Hollow. Despite an extensive search, only a rifle cartridge was found.
2. Paula Welden (1946): An 18-year-old Bennington College student who vanished while hiking the Long Trail. Her disappearance sparked one of Vermont’s largest search efforts and led to the creation of the state police.
3. James Tedford (1949): A veteran who inexplicably disappeared from a moving bus. His belongings were left untouched.
4. Paul Jepson (1950): An eight-year-old boy who vanished near a dump site; bloodhounds lost his scent at a crossroads.
5. Frieda Langer (1950): A hiker who disappeared after leaving her group briefly. Her body was found months later under mysterious circumstances.

These cases remain unsolved, and some locals believe the Bennington Monster—or something equally sinister—was involved. Others point to natural hazards, foul play, or even paranormal forces.

Folklore Meets Modern Curiosity

Today, the Bennington Triangle is a fixture in paranormal podcasts, cryptid blogs, and horror fiction. Visitors report strange lights, sudden silences in the forest, and feelings of being watched. Skeptics dismiss these as tricks of isolation, but believers argue that the wilderness hides secrets science cannot explain.

Whether the creature is a remnant of prehistoric fauna, a supernatural guardian, or a figment of collective imagination, its legend endures—woven into Vermont’s cultural fabric and whispered along the shadowed trails of Glastenbury Mountain.

Final Thoughts

The Bennington Triangle Creature is more than a cryptid; it’s a symbol of humanity’s fascination with the unknown. In a world mapped and measured, places like Glastenbury remind us that mystery still thrives in the margins. If you ever hike those trails, tread carefully—and maybe avoid wearing red.