I would like to know if anyone knows any legends about it. I can only find 2 or 3 legends about it.

Back in the late 80’s(or as some of us in our LATE 30’s call it.. the GOOD OLE’DAYS)we use to drive up to Land O Lakes and Watersmeet.Always hitting both,SummerWind(Haunted House)and then off to ” The Light.”I can honestly say I have exsperienced something “strange” at BOTH locations.But(what) exactely,is unclear.Both locations have stuck in my memory throughout the years.Back then,you were able to go to “The Light” and be confident you’d be the ONLY group of people there,as we were.I went a total of 8 times and that 8th time WAS the LAST!LOL Seven times I had gone to Watersmeet,Military Road and saw..NOTHING.But since SummerWind had burnt down by then,it was ALL we had left to our adventures.So the 8th time WAS the last.I AM to this day,a skeptic. However,I cannot deny what I,myself,exsperienced.We waited(like I had SEVEN times before)and it FINALY appeared before us.Described much like everyone else’s description.I had binoculars and the car was facing towards exiting the road so I was looking out the rear window in the car.It appeared as a yello/orange triangle in the binocs.Cool but not a big deal.It got to be a big deal when it started comming towards us.More yellowish white and BRITE! Sooo BRITE and SO close that it aluminated the Back of my friend’s vehicle and I mean BRIGHTLY.There wasnt a scardy cat amoung us UNTIL that moment.We TOO had problems starting the vehicle.The car was totaly aluminated(in the INTERIOR)and could plainly see eachother AND the sudden Fear.The car started after 2-3 trys and we speed out of there and that was the last time I saw “The Light.” A highway in the distance? Possible.But tell me HOW a cars headlights from MILES away could illuminate the interior and exterior of a Car?As a skeptic myself,it just goes to show there are forces beyond reason.Keep an open mind and go see it for yourself.I WILL be Back there one day again.- A Fellow CheddarHead

WE have seen this many times as we vist our home in Rockland. it has lit up the cab of my gmc truck as it came up the hill getting briter as it came closer. If you don’t beleve go see for yourself. It is good way to spend a night in Michigan U.P.
Charlie Beechler Rockland Mi.

It’s real! I saw it when I was camping and my family and I went to see it! It was freaky!!!!

I saw the light too. It starts out a small red dot and gets bigger, then suddenly turns white and really bright. It sways back and forth and seems to dance in circles, then just disappears. Every time it comes back it does something different. And it was appearing and disappearing about once every three or four minutes. It stayed bright for about two minutes. One time it showed up, it seemed to have blue and green mixed in the white light. (I was looking at it through binoculars.) It also showed up almost orange sometimes. I was with a group of people and all of us agreed that there was no way that this was headlights. Headlights don’t change colors like that. Also, the road that supposedly curves where you see the light doesn’t have enough traffic to coincide with how often you see the lights. We took M-45 there and back and didn’t see a lot of traffic. If this light is supposed to be caused by headlights, then you would think that there is a freeway there by the amount of times I saw the light! I just don’t think that there is any way that it’s headlights!!! As far as the swamp gas theory goes, how could it be swamp gas when the light shows up in the winter when the swamp is completely frozen?

ITS A LIGHT HOUSE NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR!

Those of you that have seen the lights that appear to be vehicle lights , you are correct, that is what you are viewing. we did altitude and gps wave points at the viewing area and also at the area where the lights apppear. we drove up to the point on Highway45 where the altitude and wave point concur. At that location we turned on our emergency blinkers on our vehicle. The rest of the team stayed at the viewing area and radioed back to us that they saw what appeared to be the paulding light blinking (our vehicle lights), but they also said they saw an opague green orb just a bit up from the stream on the abandoned road, it would come closer,then move from side to side and also change height from near the ground to about 6 or 7 feet above ground. it was only visible for about 5 or 10 minutes. We came to the conclusion that most of the light sightings are mistaken as vehicle lights, but occasionally something does appear on or near the immediate line of sight no more than 300yds away and sometimes very close. We took the time to clean up the garbage that some of the viewers left for other folks to pick up. It is a nice site to go to, many of the people we have met there have been there numerous times. We have been there 12times this year.

To the person claiming that it is lights in “I-45″ you must be superman if you can see all the way to the Dallas to Houston area in Texas… Get real, and FYI, I drove through there today with a GPS unit, and MI 45 does not intersect the power line right of way to the north….

i have been there numerous times and have seen the light each time. sometimes it is red, green, or white.many times it appears to be swinging back and forth and actaully comes toward you. this phenomena has been reported on unsolved mysteries many times. there have been numerous scientists investigating this as well. yes, there is a road in the vicinity but it has been proven that that you can not see it from the hill where you stand. we were there once when people were seeing if it was tailights, they had radios and were talking back and forth with people who were standing on the hill. we could not see their tailights, so i definitely think something paranormal is going on. its a really cool experience, i recommend that you see for yourself

There is a simular place in Texas called Saratoga. Located in Saratoga TX. I have been there several times.

This is totally fake. I went to see the Paulding light, and it was barely anything. There was just a small light that someone could probably turn on or off at any time. Anyways, I don’t think that this is real when I went to see it.

The Paulding light is crazy.. and its real. how could car light turn from red, to yellow, to green to white, swing back and forth, move forward and backward. give you the feeling that something is out there in the woods. weird things have happened there, cars not starting, weird ghostly pictures, green ooze from the trees and on the ground. it happens for a reason. and it is very sad that people go out there to drink beer, do satanic stuff, and just bother the light, with flash lights, and chasing it around. the Cops go out there every night in the summer. it never use to be that way. I say if your planning on making a trip. to respect the light. because then, the Light will “preform” better. Im glad no one really knows what it is. No one should ever find out either.

Here’s the real deal: (also see FAQ below)

I first came across this phenomenon in the Summer of 2002. It was the first time I have ever seen something that I could not readily explain. I shot some video of it which you can download. I visited the place four times over the next few years, and started making interesting observations.

Upon internet research, I saw that the best way to look at this was through a good telescope on a clear night. Binoculars had no effect when I tried those. People on other sites have claimed that it is car headlights in the distance.

In July of 2004, we made another expedition. As twilight came, I set up my Meade 6” ETX scope. I was surprised and dissapointed as I zeroed in on the spot where the lights come from. Very clearly, you can see car headlights moving up and down the grade. it takes the average car a little over a minute to travel the hill. I noticed that late at night this was true. Most likely this is because of the few cars on the road. If there are more cars traveling together, then the light may be brighter or longer.

The red lights are easily explained. If there is no oncoming traffic and a car is heading away from you, you will see its faint red light. Now because the cars are so far away, all the light seems to becoming from a single point, which cannot be resolved with out high grade precision optics becuase of the distance. A car suddenly leaving view that was oncoming while there is another car heading the opposite direction will create that dramtic white to red and vice versa effect. It is a very unique phenomenon but relatively simple. My only question is why Ripleys or unsoled Mysteries couldnt figure out something this simple. (more about this in the faq section)

Q: I’ve seen blue and green lights too, how do you explain that?
A: Coming over a far distance so close to the horizon, the light waves will be distorted by air. Many colors are possible because of this. If you look at the moon, it is orange as it rises and sets due to atmospheric distortion. This is also true with stars, which are a better example. A star twinkles many different colors the closer it gets to the horizon.

Q: This was around before cars were invented!
A: Was it? I have heard that it was not until the 60’s that this was discovered. Also many origin theories are out there on this, I don’t think they are true

Q: Were railroad tracks there at one time?
A: Also debatable, I have not seen any hard evidence of this, not that it makes much difference. The road is supposedly dating back to the 1800’s and was authorized by Abraham Linkin during the civil war to prevent a British invasion

Q: I have seen big white lights in videos, how do you explain that?
A: This is due to the autofocus problems on the cameras. A great still of this can be seen of the Paulding Light video that Lionstar put out.

Q: Why are there no trespassing signs all over?
A: If I owned land there I would not want drunken teenagers or anyone else snooping around on my property waking me up and stuff

Q: The light moves back and forth, explain
A: Does it? not really. If you had a few cars going down the hill at once, the light would look much much brighter. Its this bright/dim effect that causes that. The wavy appearence is also because of atmoshperic distortions.

Q: Why couldn’t Ripleys solve it?
A: I don’t know. Frankly I beleive the story that they were there was just a rumor. I have not see hard proof. If it is true that they offered $100,000 to solve it and someone from Ripley’s is reading this, use the paypal button below to make your reward.

Q: What about unsolved mysteries? Same deal?
A: I think this is a rumor too, if anyone knows where i cna get a copy or see this episode, let me know

Q: Why would the Forestry department put a sign up?
A: They probably dont have the time or desire to investigate it, and hell it brings tourists there, cant complain about that

Q: I’ve seen shadows..ghosts…
A: This site is designed only to explain the light itself. It is a creepy and remote area, but only because we naturally perceive it that way. Shadows could be many of things, I have never seen them myself and I’d investigate if I did.

Q: Friends of ours in the valley couldnt see the light and it looked like it was right above them.
A: Light itself is hard to judge by distance. All you can do to judge distance is brightness. This can be manipulative, because some brighter stars are further away than dimmer stars. But anyways, the people in the valley are to low to see over the ridges where the light comes from. You can only see on the top of the hill.

Q: What road are we looking at then?
A: Believe it or not, but its 45 a few miles away! You never rrealize it and I didnt for awhile, but youre actually facing towards north at the end of robbins pond road! Those power lines you see hook up with 45 if you ever want to take that far of a walk.

Q: Car lights cannot be that bright over a distance
A: Under clear skies, easily, especially with brights. Also in the dark, your eyes are much more sensitive.

Q: I’ve heard sounds!
A: It’s a ridiculously big woods, who knows whats out there, and dont for get their is a stream a few hundred yards away from the top of the hill. Also, Im dealing only with the light itself.

Q: The paulding lights seem intellignet/sensitive?
A: Because a car is only in view or for about a minute, it can seem like it is reacting to things around you. The time varies with the number of cars. This is all coincidence.

Q: Ya. its lights, but thats not the real paulding light!
A: I have heard this a few times, that there is some other Paulding light that is real that comes around once every few years. Lets think of this by the odds. The Paulding light area is a very rare and unique situation. To have this enviroment exist is incredible. It is interesting that these cars seem to be from only one point. Now there is another “light” that just happens to be in this already unique spot? I think this is BS by the locals, also seems to be told more lately because of the fact people like me are figuring it out. Once again, I wouldn’t want to lose the legend and mystery if I lived in the area.

Q: I’ve seen 2 sets of lights, how is this possible if it looks like it comes from only one point?
A: Also, in cameras this is because of the lensing/autofocus. Also, atmospheric distortions or fog can cause this. The lights may be split by trees or other objects between you and the cars many miles away. Also, check to see if you are sober.

Q: (my favorite) Some lady told me that there are other lights or that these are real and she’s lived here forever……..
A: If I lived there I’d make it a point to freak people out, it would be fun, and once again, bringing in the tourists is good for business and gives watersmeet something to be famous for

It’s most likely not haunted. However, the state of Michigan has two of the strangest spots in the world, with cars being able to move up a hill, and tumbleweeds going in the opposite direction they should be. The upper peninsula of Michigan is known for that.
One wierd thing that always creeped me out about the place I went to was that there was absolutely no sound at all, not even an animal hence bug in sight. It could be something in scientific nature to explain that…however, I always get goosebumps from not hearing anything at all; it was as if you are deaf.

I was there on Saturday May 10,2008 and seen it. I have been there many times over the years since I have a cabin in land o lakes area. My brothers and have explored the national forest roads near and around it. I dont know if its real…. But its there all the time so you explain it………. And hey for all of you who say if it cant be explained its not real. How many religous people have really seen GOD

If any one wants more info Im up in the area within 30 miles every other weekend so post on this site if you want more info and
Ill give you my own personal email or address. so please keep visiting the area. No I dont make any money its my vaccation area.

i dont believe the paulding lights are car lights. one of my trips to it the light came within 40 feet of me and my friends. it looked like 3 headlights of a train..bright as the sun and lit up the entire area!! how could a car do that? my friends and i have walked along the powerlines about for a few hundred feet and i can only describe the mood there as extremely creepy. while we were down on the trail we saw no lights in the distance at all, and it wasnt until we got back that a woman who was there said that the light was very active the entrie time we were gone! ive seen the light change from red to orange to green and to white. its is quite the experience.

I can’t say what/why/where these lights are from. I guess, after living in the U.P. all my childhood and then some, I have come to appreciate a good ghost story. As a teen, a small group of us would visit the “light” and some times it was there, sometimes not. Yes, sometimes it appeared to come towards us…we never stuck around long enough to see how close it would get. The dead railroad man is the story I knew … and that is the one I pass on. Sadly, a barricade had to be put up. Last weekend I returned to visit my old “haunt” and I found bags of trash, noisy and rude visitors and people that just wanted to “trash” (pun intended) our legend. The sign is now also gone.

If you don’t believe it in, that’s ok. For those of us that grew up with it, took our friends and visitors to view the sighting, we had fun and appreciate a good U.P. folklore legend. Yes, it has been on TV and some determined it wasn’t swamp gas, reflections of headlights or lights on the power lines. Despite what it is or isn’t…one thing it is and will always be to the locals is a good ghost story. Please keep the area clean, be respectful and let the legend live on …

Its all a fake, folks! Some years ago a group of video folks taped the lights being hauled out and turned off and on. Could easily see the pole where the lights hang from.

SORRY!! PURE FAKERY…

I’ve lived in Wisconsin for nearly 10 years. I heard of this light yesterday and it just so happend we were driving through before dark. We ran into a friend at the casino and we all went together to check it out. As soon as we got there we could see the light in the distance. There were many people there and some were leaving. I had my children so my friend stayed with us at the barricade. My husband and 4 other guys walked down to the stream. While they were gone the light came and it would get brighter and there seemed to be color surrounding it as it grew bigger and smaller. The sky would get brighter along the trees and in the horizon. When the white light would dissappear there would be a small red light. At one point it came towards us and got really close. One family that was there had a dog with them and he was crying and sounded really scared. My one year old son was uneasy as well. I was truly fascinated!! My husbad and his group came back and saw nothing. They were skeptical and said it was a car. I said that if it was a car then they would’ve walked past it on their way back. I guess you have to stay at the barricade. It helps if you are respectable and truly want to visit the light. People were very rude and came to drink and there was trash everywhere. If you don’t believe it you must see it for yourself. Show some respect as well! Maybe bring a lawn chair too!