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Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) photographed together on this day 18 years ago. 🖤

Bennington, Vermont

Bennington Gothic: The Eerie, The Uncanny, and The Haunted In the Bennington College Archives

November 09, 2025

Nestled in the shadowy wilderness of southwestern Vermont lies a region so steeped in mystery that locals whisper its name with unease: the Bennington Triangle. Much like its infamous cousin in Bermuda, this patch of forest surrounding Glastenbury Mountain has earned a reputation for strange disappearances, eerie legends, and a lingering sense of dread. Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished without a trace in this area—leaving behind no clues, no bodies, and no answers.

Coined by author Joseph A. Citro, the Bennington Triangle refers to a loosely defined area encompassing Glastenbury Mountain, the ghost town of Glastenbury, and surrounding towns like Bennington and Woodford. The region is known for its rugged terrain, abandoned settlements, and a long history of folklore—including tales of Native American curses, Bigfoot-like creatures, and unexplained lights in the sky.

But the real chill comes from the documented disappearances.

A 74-year-old hunting guide, Middie Rivers, was leading a group through the mountains on November 12, 1945 when he walked ahead and never returned. The only trace found was a single rifle cartridge near a stream. Search teams combed the area for weeks—nothing.

An 18-year-old Bennington College student, Paula Welden, went hiking alone on the Long Trail on December 1, 1946. Witnesses saw her begin the hike, but she never came back. Despite massive searches involving the FBI and even clairvoyants, no trace of her was ever found. Her disappearance sparked the creation of Vermont’s state police.

A veteran and resident of a local retirement home, James Tedford boarded a bus to Bennington On December 1, 1949. He was seen on the bus at the last stop before his destination—but when the bus arrived, he was gone. His luggage remained on the seat. No one saw him leave.

An 8-year-old boy named Paul Jepson vanished while playing near a pigsty on October 12, 1950. Bloodhounds briefly picked up his scent, which abruptly ended at a crossroads—eerily close to where Paula Welden had disappeared. No evidence was ever found.

The only body ever recovered. On October 28, 1950 Frieda Langer slipped during a hike and told her cousin she’d return to camp to change clothes. She never came back. Her remains were found seven months later in an area that had already been thoroughly searched. The cause of death was undetermined.

Despite decades of speculation, no single theory explains the disappearances. Here are the most popular and chilling possibilities. Some believe the area contains magnetic fields or vortexes that disrupt navigation and perception. Others believe wildlife or terrain hazards could play a factor such as bears, sinkholes, hypothermia—but these don’t explain the total lack of remains or clues.

Some believe it's more paranormal in nature, such as UFOs, interdimensional portals, or cryptids like the “Bennington Monster” have all been proposed.

The Bennington Triangle remains one of America’s most unsettling unsolved mysteries. It’s not just the disappearances—it’s the silence. No screams, no signs of struggle, no bodies (except one), and no closure. The forest seems to swallow people whole.