Episode 92: The Sightings
Back in 1966, dozens of UFO sightings swept the Ann Arbor, Michigan area—and then crept through the Midwest, into New England, and beyond. And the scores of people who reported sightings—including an entire college dormitory—weren’t ready to accept the official explanation for what they experienced.
Hosted and Written by Laurah Norton
Research by Laurah Norton and Bryan Worters
Produced and Engineered Maura Currie
EPISODE INTEL:
In this investigation, we examine the prolific UFO wave that swept through Washtenaw County, Michigan, in March 1966. What began as a series of erratic lights spotted by sheriff's deputies evolved into a multi-state phenomenon involving hundreds of witnesses, including local law enforcement, college students, and civil defense officials. We look at the archival records to understand the tension between the official Air Force explanations and the physical evidence left behind.
Subjects of Investigation:
The Dexter Encounter: An analysis of the Frank Mannor farm sighting, including descriptions of the "football-shaped" craft and the unique audio anomalies reported during its departure.
The Hillsdale College Event: We review the 87 eyewitness accounts from McIntyre Hall and the involvement of Civil Defense Director Buck Van Horn.
The J. Allen Hynek "Swamp Gas" Report: An examination of the controversial press conference that attempted to explain the sightings through marsh gas and the planet Venus.
The Van Horn Rebuttal: A look at the 1966 scientific counter-study, which utilized wind tables and soil radiation samples to challenge the Air Force's conclusions.
The Selfridge Air Force Pilots: We investigate the reported radar and visual confirmation from military pilots that contradicts the "non-solid" gas theory.
The Gerald Ford Intervention: Archival research into the future President’s call for a formal Congressional investigation into the Michigan sightings.
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William B. Treml, “Dexter Man’s Passing. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 1983.
William B. Treml, “Findings on ‘Saucers’. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 1966.
N/A, “Sightings of UFOs. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 1966.
N/A, “U.S. Asked To Probe. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 1966.
N/A, “Strange Objects Sighted. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 1966.
Daniel Bethencourt, “Swamp Gas UFO. . .” The Detroit Free Press, 2016.
Kevin Lavery, “UFO of Swamp. . .” WKAR, 2016.
Jack Butler, “In 1966, Hillsdale. . .” The Collegian, 2015.
Michigan Public Radio, “When Gerald Ford. . .” MNPR, 2013.
Michigan Public Radio, “Aliens or Swamp Gas?” MNPR, 2013.
Martha McHardy, “UFO sightings: Pentagon reveals. . .” The Independent, 2024.
Laura Zielen, “Flying Saucers and. . .” The University of Michigan.
Jorja Siemons, “A Look Back. . .” Northwestern University, 2023.
JoAnne P. MIller, “Alien Invasion--1966” Hillsdale Historical Society.
McKenna Ross, “Swamp Gas or UFO? Author Believes. . .” The Jackson Citizen Patriot, 2021.
N/A, “UFO Mystery Still. . .” The Ann Arbor News, 2006.
N/A, UPI, “Challenge AF Conclusion. . .” The Daily News, 1966.