One of the world's biggest chairs

The next time you are in Gardner, Massachusetts, you can check out one of the regions most unique roadside sites...the region's biggest chair.

It may look like a mystery left behind by Paul Bunyan, but it is actually a man-made landmark.

Originally a little more than one hundred years ago (in 1905), the large, red chair as long been a landmark of the town. The chair has encountered troubles over the years and is currently in its third iteration. The large, red chair stands 20 feet tall, weighs 3000 pounds, and is visited by many.

Technically, it was the world's largest chair, too, until the 1970s. In 1976, the chair was listed in the Guinness Book. Then, a chair in Alabama took the throne before relinquishing it to a chair in Italy.

It was closed down in 1998, but it was refurbished and reopened in 2001. So, the next time you are passing through the chair city - hence the chair - check out this roadside attraction.

Want to learn more. Check out these sites.

Boston Globe article.
Roadside America
Worcester Telegram article

The Man Who was Attacked for his Beard.

John Palmer is one of those legendary figures of Massachusetts that is often forgotten, but he has one of those unusual stories that should be remembered.

Palmer lived in Massachusetts and fought for the United States in the War of 1812. In the years that followed the war, he returned home to Leominster and began growing...a beard. Now, this should not be considered anything out of the ordinary, except that beards had gone out of style. Still, that should not be cause for concern.

Well, Palmers beard grew a little long. People in town began to consider him sloppy and unkempt. He gained contempt from many people for his appearance. A local minister was even said to be critical of him.

In 1830, Palmer moved to Fitchburg, MA. His problems did not stop there. According to legend, he was the only man who lived there with a beard. In May of 1830, four men in Fitchburg decided to take matters into their own hands. With little regard to Palmer's feelings, they decided he needed a shave. Armed with scissors and razors, they decided to trim his beard for him. Jumping the man, they forcibly tried to cut the beard, but Palmer fought back. He whipped out a pocketknife that he carried and stabbed two of the men who were essentially attacking him for lack of a better term.

Laws were different in Massachusetts and Palmer was arrested. He could have avoided jail time if he paid a fee, but Palmer refused, believing he was innocent (and just protecting himself) and that he had a right to grow the beard. Palmer was actually jailed for fourteen months.  In fact, prisoners and prison guards are said to have tried to shave his beard. Bad publicity caused the jail to release him. In fact, Palmer refused to leave until he received an official proclamation that beards were fine to grow....but none was given. Instead, he was just kicked out of jail. He later paid the fine because his mother asked him to (according to local lore).

We he was released, he joined the Fruitlands Utopian community in Harvard and became friends with Louisa May Alcott. The character Moses White in her story Transcendental White Oats is based on him.

Palmer died somewhere between 1865 and 1875 (depending on the source) and his tombstone even marks the fact that he was persecuted for his beard.

Palmer's story goes to show that Massachusetts has long had people who have had to speak up for right to live how they want to live and fight persecution in the process.


Want to learn more

Story Link
Story Link Two
Story Link Three

Massachusetts and the Origin of Cabbage Night

In Massachusetts, the night before Halloween has often been known for mischief. Although originally connected to Halloween, during the early 1900s, as a quest to turn Halloween into a safer holiday, communities, mischief was eventually abandoned for more fun traditions, including trick-or-treating.

However - sadly- some people still tried to hold onto the mischief making and relegated it to October 30. 

Massachusetts is the home to one community that may have helped to install the tradition of Cabbage Night (at least the name). Framingham, Massachusetts, located in the MetroWest, is home to one of the earliest mention of the terms cabbage night. In the 1930s, when tricks we moved from Halloween night to October 30, it was noted that teenagers in Framingham - like other teenagers in the commonwealth - continued the tradition of playing tricks.

 One of the common tricks played in the town involved a cabbage. Now, a cabbage was thought to foretell the future. By pulling apart a cabbage one could tell what a future spouse might be like (exactly how is left to the imagination and was not included in sources).  In Framingham, in the 1930s, teens still held onto the idea of using cabbage. However, they would pull it out of people's gardens and through it at their front door, then run.

The night in Framingham quickly became known as Cabbage Night. The term was definitely used in towns nearby, including Natick, and has stuck to this day. 

So, if you ever hear the term Cabbage Night, know, in part, that it is connected to the town of Framingham, Massachusetts.

Check out more from these sources.

Legends and Lore of Framingham
Huffington Post

Strange Laws of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is filled with many interesting and unusual laws. This should come as no surprise because, after all, Christmas was once banned here (and some say the law still has not been cleared up). And, there are still old blue laws that forbid alcohol to be sold before 12:00 in most parts of the state on Sunday.

Check out these laws that are still on the books:


1. It is illegal to go to bed without taking a bath.

2. Gorillas cannot ride in the backseat of a car.

3. In Boston, it is illegal to cut wood from a public place.

4. Public boxing matches are against the law and punishable by fine.

5. Unless directed by a physician, it is illegal to give alcohol to patients in a hospital.

6. Candies with syrup cannot contain more than 1 percent alcohol in that syrup.

7. Roosters cannot go into bakeries.  

8. It is illegal to swear in some towns and cities.


This is just a sample of a few unusual ones. Check out these sites for more. Of course, Massachusetts has existed as a colony in one form or another since the 1630s (and earlier if you count Plymouth). There are bound to be countless old laws that are forgotten.

Dumb Laws.com

Strange Laws

Stupid Laws

WCVB TV link

Haunted State Parks

That time of year is coming again...when we trudge off to local state parks to enjoy a respite from the summer heat.

State Parks can be great places for adventures. They have places to walk. They often have camping or picnicking spots. And, they sometimes have swimming holes.

Some of them might be great places to find ghosts.

Ghosts?

That's right. According to local lore (sources below), there are several state parks in Massachusetts that are supposedly haunted. 

Dracut State Forest (supposedly is the home of a Native American ghost and ghost children)
 
Harold Park State Park (there is a claim that there are phantom footsteps in this park)
 
Maudslay State Park (many sites suggest this is haunted and ghosts can be seen here, including the ghost of a murdered family)

October Mountain State Forest (is said to be the home of ghosts, as well as a potential Bigfoot).



Check out these sources to learn more.

http://ghostlyworld.wordpress.com/tag/dracut-state-forest/
http://historyofmassachusetts.org/maudslay-park-in-newburyport-mass/
http://www.theshadowlands.net/places/massachusetts.htm

John Hancock's Hand

Here has - perhaps - the most important signature in American history. Will one fell swoop of a pen - and an enormous sense of self - John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence hoping the King of England would firmly recognize his opinion of the monarch's laws and decisions toward America.

It is no mystery that Hancock wanted his signature seen. However, what has come of this famous hand...or at least one of his hands....is a mystery.

According to local lore, Hancock's hand is no longer buried with him (in fact, both are claimed to be gone). Now, no one can seem to confirm this rumor, but it has persisted for quite awhile.

Now why would a person want Hancock's hand. Perhaps it is because his hands wrote the most famous signature in America. While few people suggest this as the possibility, perhaps the grave robber was a history buff.

However, a more likely reason is at play. It appears Hancock was buried with multiple rings on his hands. The rings - valuable - were the most likely lure for the grave robbers. Disturbingly, according to lore, when the robbers were not able to easily lift the rings from his hands, they (or he/she if it was somehow a solo act), simply cut the hands off.

Investigating the rumor does prove problematic. Hancock's marker is clear in the Granary Burying Ground is clear. In fact, his original marker was replaced in the 19th century because it, too, was stolen. However, there are two problems with this particularly burying ground. First, multiple bodies were often placed in the same vicinity (or even spot) with each other - a common occurrence for Burying Grounds. Secondly, it appears during some construction of the burying ground, Hancock's remains simply disappeared.

So it appears the Hancock remains a mystery in the afterlife as in his life.


Want to learn more. Check it out:

Freedom Trail Guide

New England Folklore Blog

Wikianswers

October Mountain

October Mountain is a location in western Massachusetts. It is the largest state forest in the state. Set in the heart of the Berkshires, it is a popular tourist destination. It earned its name from Herman Meliville - the author of Moby Dick fame - who noticed the fiery leaves on the mountain during the height of the fall leaf-peeping season.

The mountain may be an interesting place to visit, but it is also shrouded in local mystery. It is the home of three distinct mysteries.

Ghosts
First, according to legend, there are two ghosts that are thought to roam the woods. The first ghost is said to be a man wandering the woods, carrying a lantern, with a dog at his side. The ghost is thought to be that of a hunter. Many people have dubbed the ghost "Old Man Whitney" over time, a tribute to the millionaire William C. Whitney, who built a "cottage" for his son on the land and helped preserve the land to be used as a park. Although any ghost that roams the region is likely not Whitney - it started to appear long after his death - the reports still connect to his name.

A second ghost is also thought to wander the woods. A ghost of a girl, near a deep cemetery, is also seen from time to time. The girl is often thought to be humming and seen wearing a white dress. Some gave speculated that the girl's name is Anna, because the only headstone belonging to a young girl is that of a girl named Anna.

Creatures

The region is also said to be the home of different creatures. The first, odd creature, is said to be "devils" of some sort. These devils are horned creatures that are seen from time to time in the woods...and may appear out of nowhere. While "wood devil" stories have been long told in New England, this particular story could have a logical explanation. Goats were brought to the area (William C. Whitney is thought to have brought some) and perhaps some have roamed wild.

The most commonly reported creature in the region is bigfoot. Several different reports have placed the legendary creature on the mountain. In the 1980s, two different reports had been made about possible encounters between hikers on the mountain and the creature. One report - reported by a people traveling by car in the region - mentioned that the creature as six to seven feet tall and had red eyes. The eyes did appear to glow, thought that may have been the affect of headlights reflected on it. The Bigfoot Field Research Organization also received a report in 1989 about a hiker who saw such a creature stacking rocks and wood. The was large with red hair. The hiker studied the creature for a while as it appeared to be digging for insects. The hiker also pointed out that the creature seemed to have a human like face.

A third creature has been spotted in the area recently - the legendary eastern panther. There is no proof of this creature so far...but reports of the creature have increased.

UFOs
Strange lights and objects have also been spotted over the mountain. Such reports are more esoteric, but still objects have been seen near and above the mountain.

Check out these links for more

BFRO
Bizarre Berkshires
Boston Globe article
Mysterious Hills
October Mountain Whitney Estate

Beware the Hockomock Swamp

For those of you who don't know, the Hockomock Swamp is one of the most bizarre regions of Massachusetts. Located in southeastern Massachusetts, in the region that famed cryptozoologist, Loren Coleman dubbed "The Bridgewater Triangle," the swamp truly is spooky beyond belief.

Although I have only been on the outskirts of the swamp, my father spent his teen years in the region and knew about the swamp well. He always mentioned that the swamp was rather known as a mysterious place. He spoke about local legends of the region and said that there were spots in the swamp that were considered to have quicksand. He also suggested that it was not a place to hang out...so he avoided it.

What is so mysterious about the region? Well, first of all, it probably has a lot of spiritual energy. It was a region that Native Americans knew about. The colonists actually pursued Metacomet - better known as King Phillip - into the region during the waning days of King Phillip's War. That is where he is believed to have died.

What is in this region. Depending on legends, it is the home of:

Large snakes
An alligator
Pukwudgies (spotted as recently as 2012)
Mysterious lights
A native American ghost on a canoe
The ghost of a redheaded hitchiker
A large, hairy, bigfoot like creature (spotted in the 1970s)
A large bird, often considered a thunderbird, which was even spotted by police
UFO sightings, including a sighting by two radio reporters.

Want to learn more about this place....check out these links

Bridgewater Triangle documentary link


Paranormal Encyclopedia link

AOL Patch article

The Pirates of Lynn Woods

For those of you who have never heard of it, the Lynn Woods has long been synonymous with mysteries. While any large, wooded area might account for such detail, this particular stretch of woods is wrought with many mysteries.

One of the most interesting stories of this legendary area is about pirates who may - or may not have - frequented the shores. In colonial days, because the land was well mapped and dotted with coves and crags in the coastline, it was common for pirates to visit the region (New England would eventually pass harsh laws that sent most of them packing).

Well, according to many sources, in 1658, one such pirate ship appeared on the horizon off the coast of Lynn. The ship was probably worried because British naval ships were in the area, or in fact, it may have been chased by them. So, four men lowered a rowboat with treasure in town, and rowed to shore.

They found a small river in present day Saugus and rowed up the river. According to legend, the pirates docked close to the site of the Saugus Iron Works and looked for a person with supplies. They left a "no questions asked" note, seeking a person to drop supplies off in a secluded region with the promise for silver.

One resident agreed - and most legends say he was paid - and the pirates made a camp at a spot that is known to this day as Pirates Glen. They buried the treasure temporarily - as many pirates did in those days - with plans to come back and properly hide it. The foursome most likely went in separate directions to meet at the boat. However, three of the pirates were capture by British soldiers who were in hot pursuit.

However, tale tells of a fourth pirate named Thomas Veal. who eluded the noose and escaped. He eventually was forced to live in Lynn, where local residents accepted him, and he became a cobbler of sorts. It is believed that Tom made his home near a cave in the Lynn Woods and reburied his treasure there. Undoubtedly, this is the type of story that has been retold and embellished over the years.

In time, an earthquake rocked the region. More than likely this occurred in 1663, when local histories of Plymouth, Lynn, and Salem speak of an earthquake that hit the region and toppled chimneys. The cave, the treasure, and perhaps Thomas Veal himself were trapped in the cave, because he and his treasure were never heard of again.

Multiple attempts have been made to find that treasure in the past at the site known as Dungeon Rock. In the mid 1800s, a man named Hiram Marble invested much time and energy into the site. According to Marble, in an era of spirtualism, the ghost of Veal himself told Marble where to look. However, Veal may have been mistaken or Marble confused....because the treasure was never found. In time, the site became the property of Lynn...which is what Marble wished.

To learn more visit these two sites:

Friends of the Lynn Woods: Dungeon Rock
USGS Earthquakes in Masssachusetts

New Year

Happy New Year Mystery goers.

Here comes another wonderful year full of new mysteries. The year ended on a unique note, with a UFO flap and fireballs seen in Massachusetts. Here's hoping there are interesting mysteries awaiting us this year.

Here's wishing all a wonderful and enjoyable new year.