The Bennington Triangle (1945-1950)

The Bennington Triangle is a region in southwestern Vermont, USA, known for its strange disappearances and mysterious events. Between 1945 and 1950, several people vanished without a trace in this area.

The triangle covers the Glastenbury Mountain and its surrounding areas, including the towns of Bennington, Woodford, Shaftsbury, and Somerset. The name “Bennington Triangle” was coined by author Joseph A. Citro, who linked the region to these unexplained disappearances and other odd occurrences.

Where is the Bennington Triangle?

The Bennington Triangle is located in the southwestern part of Vermont. The triangle mainly centers around Glastenbury Mountain, which was once home to a small town called Glastenbury.

This town was a thriving logging community in the late 19th century but became a ghost town by the early 20th century due to the decline in the logging industry. The mountain and surrounding forests are part of the Green Mountain National Forest, a vast and dense area known for its beautiful but remote wilderness.

The region’s rugged terrain and thick forests make it a challenging area for search and rescue operations, adding to the mystery of the disappearances.

Mysterious Disappearances (1945-1950)

Between 1945 and 1950, five people disappeared in the Bennington Triangle under mysterious circumstances. These disappearances remain unsolved, and they continue to baffle investigators and locals alike.

1. The Disappearance of Middie Rivers (1945)
2. The Disappearance of Paula Welden (1946)
3. The Disappearance of James Tedford (1949)
4. The Disappearance of Paul Jepson (1950)
5. The Disappearance of Frieda Langer (1950)

1. The Disappearance of Middie Rivers (1945)

The first disappearance in the Bennington Triangle occurred on November 12, 1945.

Middie Rivers, a 74-year-old experienced hunting guide, was leading a group of hunters in the area of Hell Hollow in the mountains. As the group made their way back to camp, Rivers walked ahead of the others. When the group arrived at the camp, they realized that Rivers was not with them.

Despite extensive search efforts, including a search party of over 300 people, no trace of Rivers was ever found. The only clue was a single rifle cartridge found in a stream, but this provided no leads to his whereabouts.

2. The Disappearance of Paula Welden (1946)

One of the most famous disappearances in the Bennington Triangle is that of Paula Welden, an 18-year-old Bennington College student.

On December 1, 1946, Paula decided to go for a hike on the Long Trail, a popular hiking route that passes through the Bennington Triangle. Several witnesses saw her walking along the trail, but she never returned.

A massive search was conducted, including the use of aircraft, but no trace of Paula was ever found. Her disappearance led to the formation of the Vermont State Police, as her case highlighted the need for a more organized law enforcement structure in the state.

3. The Disappearance of James Tedford (1949)

James E. Tedford was a veteran who lived in the Bennington Soldiers’ Home.

On December 1, 1949, exactly three years after Paula Welden’s disappearance, Tedford was returning home from a trip to visit relatives. He boarded a bus in St. Albans, Vermont, which was headed to Bennington. According to witnesses, Tedford was on the bus when it left the last stop before Bennington. However, when the bus arrived in Bennington, Tedford was nowhere to be found.

His luggage was still on the bus, and a bus timetable was found on his seat, but there was no sign of Tedford. He had seemingly vanished into thin air.

4. The Disappearance of Paul Jepson (1950)

The disappearance of 8-year-old Paul Jepson on October 12, 1950, added to the mystery of the Bennington Triangle.

Paul was last seen by his mother while he was playing near the family truck in Bennington. His mother left him for a short time to attend to some nearby work, but when she returned, Paul was gone.

A search party was quickly organized, and bloodhounds were brought in to track his scent. The dogs followed the scent to a highway, but then the trail went cold. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Paul was ever found.

5. The Disappearance of Frieda Langer (1950)

Frieda Langer, a 53-year-old woman, was the last person to disappear in the Bennington Triangle.

On October 28, 1950, Langer and her cousin set out on a hike near the Somerset Reservoir. During the hike, Langer slipped and fell into a stream, and she told her cousin she would return to their campsite to change her wet clothes. When she didn’t return, her cousin went back to the campsite, only to find that Langer had never arrived.

A search was launched immediately, involving over 400 searchers, including aircraft and helicopters, but no trace of Langer was found. However, in an unusual twist, her body was discovered seven months later in a clearing near the reservoir, an area that had been extensively searched previously. The cause of death could not be determined due to the condition of the body, and her disappearance remains unexplained.

Leads and Theories

Despite extensive search efforts, no solid leads were ever found in any of these cases. The fact that these disappearances happened within a relatively short period of time and within the same area has led to various theories and speculations.

1. Some believe that the disappearances were the work of a serial killer, although no evidence has ever been found to support this theory.
2. Others suggest that the area’s remote and rugged terrain could have played a role, with victims possibly becoming lost or succumbing to the elements. However, the lack of physical evidence in most cases makes this theory difficult to prove.
3. Some paranormal enthusiasts believe that the Bennington Triangle is a “vortex” or “portal” to another dimension, causing people to disappear without a trace. This theory, while popular in folklore, lacks any scientific backing.

Local Legends and Stories

The Bennington Triangle has a long history of strange occurrences and local legends. Even before the disappearances of the 1940s and 1950s, the area was known for its eerie atmosphere.

1. Native American legends speak of Glastenbury Mountain as a cursed land, and they avoided the area, believing it to be haunted by evil spirits.
2. Some stories tell of a “man-eating stone” in the mountain that would swallow anyone who stepped on it.
3. There are also tales of strange creatures lurking in the forests. Some locals believe that Bigfoot or a similar creature might be responsible for the disappearances. There have been several reported sightings of a large, hairy creature in the area, but no concrete evidence has ever been found.
4. Another local legend is that of the “Bennington Monster,” a mysterious creature that has been sighted by residents over the years. This creature is described as a large, hairy, and bipedal figure that roams the forests of the Bennington Triangle. Some speculate that the Bennington Monster could be a Bigfoot or some other unknown species, and that it may be linked to the disappearances.

Conclusion

The Bennington Triangle remains a source of fascination and fear for many. The disappearances of Middie Rivers, Paula Welden, James Tedford, Paul Jepson, and Frieda Langer have never been solved, and no bodies or significant evidence (except for Langer’s body) have been found. Theories range from the plausible to the paranormal, but none provide a definitive answer.

The area continues to draw hikers, adventurers, and paranormal enthusiasts, all hoping to uncover clues or experience something strange for themselves. However, the rugged and remote nature of the terrain serves as a reminder of the dangers that might still lurk in the Bennington Triangle.

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