A UFO Was Sighted In Idaho Nearly 80 Years Ago And It Became One Of The Greatest Hoaxes In History
By Courtnie Erickson|Published October 24, 2023
×
Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
UFO sightings in Idaho are not uncommon. In fact, Idaho is one of the top states for UFO sightings in the entire country. However, not every unidentified object in the sky belongs to aliens and one story from the 1940s proves it.
Editor’s Note: Not all of the following images are from the actual event.
The story begins in 1947 when Kenneth Arnold, a businessman and pilot, claimed to see multiple unidentified objects flying near Mount Rainer in Washington State at excessive speeds. His story quickly gained nationwide attention and people began paying more attention and reporting unidentified objects in the air — including here in Idaho.
In July 1947, stories in the press were stating that “flying sauces have invaded” the Twin Falls region. Multiple sightings included those from a forest ranger, a railway foreman, a couple out in the country, and even a group of 60 picnickers.
However, the big news came on July 11 when a 30-inch disc was found near the yard of a home in Twin Falls. The residents reported hearing a loud noise around 2:30 a.m. but it wasn’t fully discovered until approximately 8:00 a.m. when a neighbor spotted the disc and called the police.
The FBI, military intelligence, and other experts were called in to investigate. Any photos of the object were confiscated, until the following day when it was discovered the disc was a hoax. Four teenagers were responsible for creating the disc, which contained a plexiglass dome, electric coils, radio tubes, and more.
While many people claim to have experienced UFO sightings in Idaho decades ago, things haven’t changed that much. In fact, dozens of reports have been made throughout the state within the past several years. According to the National UFO Reporting Center Online Database, a new UFO sighting in Idaho occurs almost monthly— if not more frequently.
Whether you believe in aliens or not, the story of the Twin Falls saucer hoax is one that sure made for an exciting July day.
Do you believe in aliens? Have you ever experienced a UFO sighting in Idaho? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you plan to spend some time outdoors, such as camping or going on a hike in Idaho, make sure to bring the right gear (like binoculars!). You never know what unexpected things you may see.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
