Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Blacksmith and the Lake Serpent

In July 1899, a fisherman’s net is mysteriously damaged, sparking a legendary armed confrontation on Seneca Lake. Farmers in boats opened fire on a strange serpentine creature near Pine Bay on the western shore. Was it the Seneca Lake Monster, a giant eel, or something else?

Inside the Navy’s Artificial Island Laboratory

Floating in the middle of Seneca Lake is a well-guarded Navy installation shrouded in decades of speculation. Officially a sonar testing facility, recently released footage and public records reveal far more advanced experiments than previously known. From unmanned underwater drones to cutting-edge weapons systems, is the truth behind this artificial island laboratory finally surfacing? AndContinue reading “Inside the Navy’s Artificial Island Laboratory”

Willard Asylum Cemetery Walking Tour

I recently visited Willard Cemetery, a 30-acre parcel where the remains of 5,776 residents of the former Willard State Hospital (aka ‘Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane’) are laid to rest. For more on Willard Cemetery, check out these episodes of the podcast:

E14 Peek-a-boo Diving Corporation, Seneca White Trout and the Legend of Locomotive 13

Listen Here In this episode, we’ll look at the story of some enterprising young men who back in 1939 built an underwater helmet breathing contraption and brought it to Rock Stream to explore below the waves of Seneca Lake. Next, we’ll go back to 1947 for the tale of an albino trout that was pulledContinue reading “E14 Peek-a-boo Diving Corporation, Seneca White Trout and the Legend of Locomotive 13”

Two July 2025 Reports: UFO Video Over Burdett, Sheriffs Follow Lights Near Watkins Glen

A pair of notable UFO sightings took place during the last week of July 2025 near Seneca Lake. The first sighting of a color- and shape-changing orb was recorded by a witness in Burdett on Friday the 25th at 10:14pm, while the second sighting prompted a call to the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, who apparentlyContinue reading “Two July 2025 Reports: UFO Video Over Burdett, Sheriffs Follow Lights Near Watkins Glen”

Talking Mysteries of Seneca Lake on WVBR 93.5FM’s “Where Did the Road Go?”

I had the pleasure recently to sit down for a great conversation about the mysteries of Seneca Lake with host Seriah Azkath for the weekly radio show “Where Did the Road Go?”. The interview airs tonight, May 24, 2025, at 10:00pm EST on WVBR 93.5FM, Ithaca, and streaming live at http://www.wvbr.com. We covered a lotContinue reading “Talking Mysteries of Seneca Lake on WVBR 93.5FM’s “Where Did the Road Go?””

Orbs, Not Drones: Seventy Years of Strange Lights Over Seneca Lake

Orbs are nothing new to the Seneca Lake area. For over seventy years, these quietly glowing lights have been reported hovering, gliding, darting and dancing in the air around the lake and its surrounding communities.

The following is a selection of some of the more interesting Seneca Lake-area orb sightings, gleaned from publications, online databases and interviews, from the 1950s to the current day.