Brunswick Springs: A World of Mystery

There are few places on our planet that can be seen as otherworldly, but of course, there are some. People that believe in such things think that places like this can only be found in far off lands, or under the ocean, or deep underground. Nobody would suspect a place like this could be found right here in New England, more specifically, the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This world of mystery is known as Brunswick Springs.

Brunswick Springs

Brunswick Springs is truly a spot of mystery and death, an eerie location that is severely haunted, and is teeming with legends and curses. Located on Silver Lake, along the Connecticut River, there are many ruins that can be found throughout the dense forest. Upon your first visit, one may wonder why all of these ruins are here? Let's just say, it's a long story...

The legends of the springs began well before any settlers knew of the place. It is said that the Native Americans, mostly Abenaki, used the location for years as sacred lands. The namesake of the location is six different springs that flow from the forest directly into the Connecticut River, and it is said that these springs have magical healing powers. Each spring is composed of a different chemical, such as Arsenic, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Bromide, and Sulfur.

An old postcard which labeled the then developed springs.

Supposedly, the Native Americans knew the perfect combinations of these six chemicals, and they were successful in curing some horrible wounds, even ones that were life threatening. The first reported use of the springs was in 1748, when the Native Americans brought an injured British soldier to the waters after his arm needed amputation. It is said that they were able to bring back feeling to the man's arm, and he could use the appendage once again.

Later, after the French and Indian War, the same soldier came back to bottle and sell the magical waters. The Abenaki were not happy with his attempt to profit off of the great spirit. The area underwent many disputes between the Abenaki and greedy businessman wanting to profit from the springs, eventually leading to the death of two Native Americans. The mother of one of the dead, a local sorceress, was grief-stricken, and set the now famous curse over the lands: "Any use of the waters of the great spirit for profit will never prosper."

People began to flock to the springs from far off places, all in the hopes of curing their injuries or diseases. In 1860, Charles Bailey built the first hotel on the site, known as the Brunswick Springs House. Mysteriously, the building burnt down in 1894. Later, D.C. Rowell, a dentist, built the Pine Crest Lodge atop the banks of the Connecticut River. But again, it didn't succeed, as it collapsed into the Connecticut River.

John Hutchins, a rich man from North Strafford, decided he wasn't rich enough, and figured he could use the springs as a sight for a grand resort. His first hotel burned down in 1929, immediately before it's grand opening. He had a hotel built in 1930 with the help of Mr.Savage, and just before it was set to open, on May 15th, the hotel burned down. Hutchins was determined to build a grand resort, and had another one built and complete the next year. With 100 rooms, the hotel was better than all of it's predecessors. No matter how impressive of a hotel he built, it wasn't saved from the curse, and his third hotel burnt down with no discernible cause.

The Brunswick Springs Hotel, 1931

The land was eventually given back to the Abenaki, but that doesn't mean the curse is gone. Silver Lake is said to be bottomless, and it has been the sight of many mysterious deaths in recent years. From many people hanging themselves along the coast of the pond, to a women driving her car into the water, and even a baby being found strangled by the shore, it's clear that these lands are still cursed.

For further reading on the history of the springs, I would recommend ObscureVermont. Upon our visit, there was certainly an eerie feeling lingering over the place. Throughout the forest can be found many ruins from the five former hotels. The ruins include old foundations, rusted metal, and many staircases leading to nothing...

One of the many staircases leading to nothing.

On the landing.

Looking down toward the springs.

From the shores of Silver Lake.

It may be cursed, but Silver Lake is quite beautiful. Even though it's less than a mile from the road, the forest is quiet. Much like East Mountain, the silence is deafening. Beside the shores of the lake, we found a Sweat Lodge, otherwise known as a Native American sauna. While many people have corrupted the land over the years, the Abenaki still see the lands as sacred, and if you happen to see other people there, please be respectful.

The Sweat Lodge

Silver Lake

One of the foundations in the forest.

Down the embankment can be found a long, treacherous staircase, which leads to the now crumbling springs. One of the hotels built a deck above the springs, which apparently separated the six chemicals. The waters flow right from the ground, with no obvious source. Over the years, the Iron and Calcium pipes have broken, but they still flow. Be warned, because the area is surrounded by a strong stench of sulfur.

The namesake of the area, Brunswick Springs.

The springs flowing down the banks.

The Connecticut River.

The springs flow directly into the Connecticut River. The ground around the springs is tinted orange, likely due to the chemicals, and strands of calcium can be found throughout the water. In the trees can be found many offerings and pleads for healing. These waters are clearly still used for healing, and according to the notes, many people still make long treks to the land in the hopes of better lives or healed families.

Some of the offerings above the springs.

Atop one of the banks can be had a great view of the Connecticut River and some peaks, such as Hutchins Mountain and Savage Mountain. Those names sound familiar, don't they? This area is very eroded, likely being the sight of the former resort that collapsed into the river. It makes you wonder if the whole area will eventually meet the same fate.

The view over the river. Savage Mountain can be seen to the far left.

Looking down the banks. Mt.Hutchins can be seen in the far distance.

The path through the dense forest.

While the area may seem lame or boring to the average person, it's rich with history and legends. If you believe in ghosts, this is the area for you. There is a haunting aura that hovers over the place, one that may draw you in, or scare you away, that's for you to find out. If one does make the bold decision to visit, please, over everything else, be respectful to those who still wander there, and those who have passed on...

This is the fourth entry in a series of blogs:

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Abandoned In the Mountains: Lyndonville Air Force Station

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is full of great hikes and rugged bike trails, places you can explore at your leisure, and have the experience being deep within nature. Trails such as those don't compare in the slightest to East Mountain, in fact nothing does. By far, it is the most unique climb you can experience in the entirety of the Appalachian Mountains. What gives it such a title, probably the fact that the mountain was once the site of the now defunct Lyndonville Air Force Station.

Lyndonville Air Force Station

The base was operational from 1955 to 1963, and during those eight years, they were able to build up quite the base. Radar road climbs to the top of the mountain, and is blocked by a large oil tank about halfway up. Right before the road block is the Quonset Village, the location where the people stationed there would live out there lives. Now, it is crumbling, day after day...

The Quonset Village

Most of the buildings are still standing, only one has begun to collapse, and that's the barn. Other sites to be seen include the garage/motor pool, the dining hall, the gym, and even a bowling ally. While this base may sound luxurious, just imagine living here with ten feet of snow on the ground, and being stuck here with the same people for an entire winter.

The garage/motor pool building.

Inside the garage.

The dining hall.

Inside the dining hall.

The dining hall is completely gutted.

The outside of the gym.

The gymnasium.

Near the gym were a few other structures that nature was reclaiming. The nearby tennis court has started to become overgrown with weeds and small trees. Even though everything is falling apart, it's surprising how well the place has held up over the years.

Inside the bathroom.

Looking through the barracks.

Likely the bowling alley.

The barn, which has completely collapsed on the inside.

Just a walk in the woods...

The tennis court.

Clouds flew overhead, and the time came to begin our ascent. Immediately after the Quonset Village, the road drops in quality. It continues straight as an arrow toward a marsh, which is the location of a tank that has been used to block the road. From here, there is an eerie view looking up toward a few of the radar towers, standing tall above the treeline, looking down at us.

A shack along Radar Road.

Radar Road

The radar towers sitting atop the mountain.

The road is in much better condition after the tank. If you can drive around the blockade, you can certainly drive the rest of the way up, but it is far to risky to attempt going around the tank. The road winds up the mountain side consistently, bringing us further and deeper into the untamed forest. Snow still lays on the sides of the overgrown road, even in June.

Looking up Radar Road.

More of Radar Road.

After seemingly endless walking up the old road, it went around one more bend, then straightened. Suddenly, the giant towers appeared over the trees, and we knew we had made it. Surprisingly, the towers have held up quite well the last few years, but not the other surrounding structures.

Atop East Mountain.

There are five towers total, the tallest being five stories tall. Seeing these structures stand high above you is a sight to behold, the area is truly haunting. There was a constant dull noise, that of the wind creeping throughout the towers, and occasionally moving large pieces of metal at times, making the fearful sound of distant movement, even though we always knew we were alone.

The tallest radar tower.

One of the shorter towers.

One of the first things we did was attempt to climb the highest tower, which we were able to do quite easily. You must climb up a rusted staircase for five levels, then climb straight up a rickety ladder which will bring you to the very top. This tower gave us one of the best views in all of New England.

The base of the tallest tower.

The entrance.

The rickety staircase. 

Looking out from the top floor.

The view from the tower.

From here, one can have themselves a grand view of the Northeast Kingdom, and even more mountains, far beyond. Notable peaks include North and South Percy, Mt.Cabot, Mt.Waumbek, Mt.Adams, Mt.Washington, the Twins, Mt.Garfield, Mt.Lafayette, and Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire.

Looking toward New Hampshire, primarily the White Mountains.

Another view, toward Burke Mountain.

Over in Vermont can be seen Burke Mountain, Signal Mountain, Mt.Ellen, Camels Hump, Mt.Mansfield, the Sterling Range, Mt.Hor, Wheeler Mountain, Mt.Pisgah, Bald Mountain, and even Jay Peak, which sits almost in Canada.

Looking into Vermont.

The Northeast Kingdom.

Being given the view you have from the top of the tower distracts you from just how high above the ground you are. It's a serious drop, all the way back to the ground, so with the winds picking up, we carefully made our way back to the bottom. We walked over to the northernmost tower, which was very short, but also safe enough to climb.

The stairs leading atop the tower.

Through the window...

From this tower could be seen the same views as the other, but not as good. That's not to say the view wasn't great, because many of the same peaks can still be seen, including a view of the tallest tower. This building was by far the safest to climb, but it's still very much worth it to climb the tallest one as well.

The tallest tower as seen from another.

Vermont from the lower tower.

What an incredible view...

Camels Hump and Mt.Mansfield can be seen in the distance.

Down the slope a ways was a white brick building, which was slowly being engulfed in dense pines. This structure has stood the test of time the best out of all the other buildings up there, excluding the towers. There was another building of the same type on the other side of the summit.

Notice how nature is taking it back.

Again, haunting...

We climbed back up to the summit, only to find the other three towers either blocked off, or too dangerous to climb up. I'm sure it can be attempted, but we're not going to be the ones to test it. There were a few more buildings hiding away within the trees, all of which had been gutted and are now rusting, empty husks.

One of the buildings.

All that remains is the frame and roof.

There were bullet holes everywhere, including some on the wall above.

While the atmosphere of the place is very eerie, and the silence is deafening, that is not the only reason the base is creepy. It is said that on a September day in 1961, the base was able to track an unidentified flying object for 18 minutes straight. Moments later, the Barney and Betty Hill incident took place, the first widely reported alien abduction in United States history. This event certainly adds another level of fear and mystery to the place.

Emerging from the trees.

The towers through the window.

Looking down the staircase.

Wouldn't we all like to know?

Hi-Voltage

One of the towers.

From atop the tower.

The shortest tower.

Looking toward New Hampshire. The Percy Peaks can be seen to the far left.

Mt.Pisgah is on the far left, with Bald Mountain to the right. Jay Peak is in the far distance.

Inside one of the summit buildings.

It's all falling apart.

What a site...

Who really knows what the future holds for Lyndonville Air Force Station. It has stood for over 60 years now, and let's hope it won't fall now, whether that's from vandalism, the land owners, or severe weather. The haunting atmosphere can't be duplicated, it's a chilling experience to go alone, on a windy day. Even if we don't know it's future, we can continue to discuss it's past without any ramifications.

This is the third entry in a series of blogs:

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