Spooky Massachusetts: Bridgewater Triangle is a paranormal phenomenon

With October in full s, that Halloween spirit has begun. And that only means one thing — it's time to be scared.

And what better way to usher in the spooky season than by visiting some of the alleged haunted areas of Massachusetts?

One of the most famous places in the state is none other than the Bridgewater Triangle.

"The Bridgewater Triangle is an area of about 200 square miles in the greater Bridgewater area, claimed to be a site of alleged paranormal phenomena, ranging from UFOs to poltergeist, various bigfoot-like sightings, giant snakes, and thunderbirds," according to the Bridgewater Public Library. "The term was coined by New England based cryptozoologist Loren Coleman in a book called 'Mysterious America.'"

The Hockomock Swamp, located within the triangle, is associated with many stories and legends related to the Bridgewater Triangle, according to the library.

"The Bridgewater Triangle is likely one of the world's most concentrated areas of diverse paranormal reports," added Paranormal Encyclopedia.

Some of the towns within the triangle include Brockton, Whitman, West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Middleboro, Dighton, Berkley, Raynham, Norton, Easton, Freetown, Lakeville, Seekonk, and Taunton.

According to the website Legends of America, "the Hockomock Swamp was used by the Wampanoag Indian Tribe long before European colonists arrived. Before them, other indigenous people are known to have lived in the area, as human artifacts have been discovered that date to 9,000 years old. From about 300 AD to Colonial times, Native Americans depended on the swamp as an abundant source of game. ... The Wampanoag both worshiped and feared the area, as the chief deity of death and disease, called Hobomock, was said to dwell in the swamp."

The Bridgewater Triangle: What is the Bridgewater Triangle anyway? A look at the dark and paranormal tales of this 'window area of unexplained occurrences'

The term, "Hockomock” means ”place where spirits dwell,” according to Legends of America, which noted "Early English colonists called it 'Devil’s Swamp.'”

"Since colonial times, bizarre reports began to be told about the triangle area, including giant snakes, strange creatures, ghosts, and missing people," Legends of America stated. "In more modern times, reports include people having seen Bigfoot, UFOs, ominous black helicopters, mysterious balls of light, poltergeist activity, and cattle mutilations.

Early on, the forest was said to have been home to a race of diminutive humanoid creatures known as Pukwudgies. Long known in Delaware and Wampanoag Native American folklore, these troll-like creatures, generally described as about 3-4 feet tall with smooth, hairy grey skin and large ears, have a notorious reputation for mischief and mayhem.

One of the more famous places in the triangle is an 80-foot deep rock quarry known as the Assonet Ledge in the Fall River-Freetown State Forest.

Ghosts: Ghosts of the Assonet Ledge

"Here, people often speak of having a compelling urge to jump off the cliff," according to Legends of America. "Some reports say that some people have, in fact, jumped to their deaths. Other people talk of feeling a sense of dread when venturing near the ledge. It is said that visitors have seen ghosts here, that it has been an alleged hotspot for Satanists and strange cults, and some have seen UFOs.

"The forest surrounding the triangle has been known as the site of various cult activities, which is said to have included animal sacrifice and ritualistic murders committed by admitted Satanists."

Also reported over the years in the triangle have been mysterious glowing eyes of unseen creatures, glowing lights hovering in the sky, and native American ghosts paddling canoes in the waterways, according to the Bridgewater Public Library.

Halloween: Enter the Bridgewater Triangle, if you dare

A ghost of a hitchhiker has been reported along a stretch of Route 44 in Rehoboth, and another ghostly phantom has been seen in Hockomock Swamp near Route 138, according to Legends of America.

Aside from being a hotbed for reported supernatural activity, the Hockomock Swamp is one of the largest areas of wetlands in the state.

Mass.gov notes, "The Hockomock Swamp and associated wetlands and water bodies comprise the largest vegetated freshwater wetland system in Massachusetts. The boundaries of the Hockomock Swamp ACEC include approximately 16,950 acres in the southeastern part of the state. The wetlands act as a huge water reservoir and serve as the headwaters for the Town River, which flows into the Taunton River. ... The Hockomock Swamp is a vast natural and scenic area. Because of its size, it is a unique and irreplaceable wildlife habitat. It is also the location of at least 13 rare and endangered species."

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Halloween in Massachusetts: Visit the Bridgewater Triangle this fall