Paulding was once a small sawmill town that is surrounded by Ottawa National Forest. It is in Ontonagon County and famously known for the Paulding Light which is an unexplained phenomenon that happens almost every night. Also known as “The Dog Meadow Lights” People have reported seeing these mysterious lights for 40 years. To this day you can see them on almost any night! I personally witnessed this strange light for the first time in February of 1999, and to my surprise the light moved towards us floating in mid air around five feet high and it looked exactly as if someone was carrying a lantern. When it started to get closer to us it would vanish and start all over again each time moving towards us faster and FASTER! There are some haunting legends for this phenomenon. Some say that one night, forty years ago, a railroad switch man while holding his lantern was crushed to death between two cars while trying to signal the engineer. Others say that an engineer was murdered along the old railroad grade that runs parallel to the road the light appears. Another story tells about a man out late one night carrying a lantern looking for his lost little boy in the woods. Supposedly, the man was hit by a train and his ghost continues to search for his son! Some people even have claimed to have seen the “GRIM REEPER” floating across the road near the light!! Skeptics say it is nothing more then car lights in the distance or glacier gas. But no matter what it is, you are still fascinated and spooked while viewing this bizarre light as it starts walking towards you!!
Actual footage of the “Paulding Light”:
Lodging and Campgrounds:
Running Bear Resort LLC
4593 Old US 45
Paulding, MI 49912
Phone: (906) 827-3208