In 1961, One Of The Strangest Things To Happen In The USA Took Place In New Hampshire
By Michelle|Published April 09, 2021
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
There have been stories about alien abductions for about as long as anyone can remember, but they really rose during the 1950s and 1960s. Across the globe, there were multiple reports of common people running into extraterrestrials and while many were entertainment, a few actually gained some momentum in the re-telling. One of the most well-known happened right here in New Hampshire and we’re both proud and totally weirded-out.
Meet Betty and Barney Hill. On the night of September 19th, 1961 the couple was on a long drive from Montreal to their home in Portsmouth. Driving south on Route 3 near the Indian Head Resort the couple ran into an unexpected series of events.
It's commonly referred to as the "Hill Abduction." The couple reported that the aliens were from the "Zeta Reticuli" system and thus the abduction has also come to be called the "Zeta Reticuli Incident."
The Hills noted that they first saw a bright light in the sky as they drove near Lancaster, New Hampshire. It moved erratically and when they pulled over to walk their dog and watched through binoculars Barney suggested it could be a flying saucer.
The 80-100 foot craft finally descended upon them just outside of the Indian Head Resort. Their next recollection was being home where their watches never worked again and certain possessions had scrapes and scratches.
The incident is widely regarded as the most vivid account of an abduction and in 2011 a historical marker was erected by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. It can be seen just outside of the Indian Head Resort.
There are also a few murals and news clippings at the Irving Gas Station off exit 33 on Route 3. This is said to be on the same route the Hills traveled that night.
While a number of official entities, including the US Air Force, were involved in the investigation of the incident it's still unclear what the entire events were that fateful evening. Were aliens present on Route 3 on the night of September 19th, 1961? We don't know, but we do know we'll probably avoid that particular stretch of road at night.
The Betty and Barney Hill historical marker can be seen in Lincoln any day and any time! To visit click here for Google directions that allow you to input your own starting point.
