1974 saw the Watergate scandal, the invention of post-its, and a top-secret UFO event? Life in small town Carbondale, PA was disrupted one November night after residents reported seeing something streak across the sky and land into a silt pond behind a local park. After days of military presence, intense media coverage, and thousands of spectators–something unexpected is pulled out of the water, leading police and officials to label the event as a hoax. But even fifty years later, most locals believe there was a government coverup, leaving many questions unanswered. Is the Carbondalien event just local lore, or did something more curious happen in this small town?
For pictures and more information, please follow us on Instagram & Threads @thespectralpod. If you want to send us a story or recommendation, email us: spectralpod@gmail.com.
Please rate and review on your favorite listening platform. The ghosts and I will be eternally grateful. We hope you keep listening! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other platforms.
Sources:
“Carbondalien Festival.” Carbondalien Festival, Accessed 03 Nov. 2024, https://carbondalienfestival.com/.
“A Look Back at the Carbondale ‘UFO Crash’ of 1974.” PA Homepage, 08 Nov. 2024, https://www.pahomepage.com/video/a-look-back-at-the-carbondale-ufo-crash-of-1974/10201716/.
“Carbondalien festival beams down upon city.” The Times Tribune, 14 Nov. 2024, https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/11/14/carbondalien-festival-beams-down-upon-city/.
“Carbondale, Pennsylvania.” City of Carbondale, Accessed 06 Nov. 2024, https://www.carbondalepa.org/.
“Carbondale UFO tale rises again.” Times Leader, 13 Nov. 2016, https://www.timesleader.com/wire/state-wire/606429/carbondale-ufo-tale-rises-again#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9CCarbondale%20UFO%E2%80%9D%20drew%20police,only%20an%20old%20railroad%20lantern.
Flannery, Tom. “City marks 1974 ‘alien landing’ at Russell Parks with events.” Tri-County Independent, 14 Apr. 2014, https://www.tricountyindependent.com/story/entertainment/events/2014/08/20/city-marks-1974-alien-landing/64723843007/.
Oleary, Kathryn. “50th anniversary of UFO crash legend in Carbondale.” PA Homepage, 08 Nov. 2024, https://www.pahomepage.com/news/50th-anniversary-of-ufo-crash-legend-in-carbondale/.
Palko, Jerry and Tusko, Mike. “UFO Experts Have Doubts About Carbondale Hoax.” The Scranton Times, 12 Nov. 1974.
“Pennsylvania’s ‘U.F.O.’ Just a Flash in the Pond.” The New York Times, 12 Nov. 1974, https://www.nytimes.com/1974/11/12/archives/pennsylvanias-ufo-just-a-flash-in-the-pond.html.
“The Legend.” Carbon D. Alien, Accessed 05 Nov. 2024, https://carbondalien.com/?s=thelegend.
Newspaper Article: “UFO Experts Have Doubts About Carbondale Hoax” written by Jerry Palko & Mike Tusko. The Scranton-Times Published: Nov 12th 1974
