A real-life Twilight Zone may exist in Arizona

[Lionel]

This fascinating journey into the unknown began in early 1956 and still remains an unsolved mystery today.

It all began during a two-year adventure into Southern Arizona in search of lost mines and hidden Spanish treasures. High among the rugged terrain bordering Mexico, my brother Chuck and I discovered a location where time itself is altered. This natural freak of nature lies deep within a region seldom visited by modern man.

The reason I'm bringing this tale to light after all this time is because something in the works might effect this interesting place. Tucson Electric Power Company plans on building a 345,000-watt high-voltage transmission line from Tucson to Nogales. The line could come quite close to this site.

When this line becomes active, what, if anything, will this enormous voltage do to this delicate location? Enhance the natural energy already lurking within it, or nothing? Only time will tell.

The following stories all took place around this mysterious location.

Lights in the Sky

This all began after my release from the military. My brother Chuck asked if I'd be interested in taking an extended trip to Arizona to search for several of the legendary lost treasures allegedly hidden during the Spanish occupation. This ignited my adventurous spirit, so plans were made. We saved enough capital, with the help of our parents, for two years. I was 23; Chuck was 26.

We left Tacoma, Wash., on March 20, 1956. Our final destination was Arivaca, Ariz., a small desert hamlet of perhaps 70 residents. This old adobe village was located squarely in the center of the country harboring some of these well-known hidden treasures.

About three weeks into this treasure game, Chuck and I were relaxing at camp one evening. Towards the south, the craggy peaks of the Tumacacori Mountains were silhouetted against the darkening sky.

Our attention was directed toward two large balls of blue-green lights slowly descending behind the mountains several miles away. They were not flares, as no sound of aircraft broke the silence of the night. Both vanished within minutes.

The following night at precisely the same time, 8:05 p.m., the lights appeared once again near the identical location. These also disappeared behind the peaks.

Several days later, Louie Romero, a local cowboy who rode for the Arivaca Ranch, stopped by. Over several weeks, we became friends and learned a great deal of the history about the area from him. While in Arivaca, we heard from the locals that if Louie tells you something, you can bet your life it's the truth.

During one of his weekly visits, Louie told us many stories centering around the nearby mountains. Several bordered on the paranormal. After describing the odd lights we had seen, he smiled, saying he and others have spotted them since 1939 in the same location. Over the months, we saw them several more times.

Doorway to the Gods

One day, as we were returning to Arivaca, we spotted an old truck parked beside the road with a flat tire. Not having a spare, the gentleman stood beside his vehicle trying to hitch a ride to the nearest service station. We picked him up and soon arrived at the Kinsley Ranch and gas station.

After having the tire repaired, we returned John, an Indian, to his truck where we mounted the tire for him. John couldn't thank us enough, as not many white men had shown him such kindness.

A month or so later at camp, we spotted a rider approaching--and were surprised to see it was John. He told us he was working temporarily for a local ranch, checking the fence lines.

While talking in general about the surrounding country, Chuck mentioned we were treasure hunting. As a boy, John said he heard many of the tales of lost mission gold and silver. He also believed some of the tales were true, as treasure was found in 1907 near Nogales.

Later, John told us about a mysterious stone archway. Roy told him we came across such a formation south of camp. John's first words were, "Did you walk through its opening?"

Walt answered, "No. We noticed it while descending a slope, but paid little attention to the oddity."

John told us around the 1800s, three Indians were hunting and upon returning to their village, discovered a stone archway. Being in a jubilant mood, they began chasing one another through the opening in a playful manner.

Moments later, one jumped through but never emerged from the opposite side. Fearing they had entered some sacred ground of the gods, the remaining two fled the scene. Arriving at the village, they told the medicine man how their friend had vanished before their eyes.

As the story spread, others journeyed to the high plateau to gaze upon the stone structure. Rocks and other items were tossed through, but nothing occurred--until an elderly woman approached. Tossing in a live rabbit, it suddenly vanished. The Indians backed off in fear and spread the story of this "Doorway to the Gods," as it came to be known.

John himself has been to the site on many occasions. The only time he witnessed anything strange was around 1948. A big storm had blown in, and the sky was filled with dark clouds in all directions. As he rode past the archway, he noticed the sky through its opening was blue--no clouds were visible. Dismounting, he walked cautiously toward the formation and peered through. The mountains on the other side hadn't changed, but the sky was clear. Looking around the corner of the structure, the sky was once again covered with dark clouds. Fear gripped him and he rode off.

Some believe John was looking into another time period through the portal. We asked John: If the story was indeed true, why hadn't it been investigated? He replied that only his people knew of the story, as it had never been mentioned outside the tribe. The only reason he told us was because we had shown him kindness while stranded beside the highway.

Curious, we decided to make another trip to the remote site with Roy Purdie and Walter Fisher--two fellow treasure hunters who were camping with us. It's a rugged climb, and the torturous, craggy mountains play no favorites. Enter their domain, make an error, and you'll be added to the list of the injured and missing.

This mysterious area is covered with windswept rock formations that dot the landscape. Searching further, we discovered an enormous deposit of geodes. The ground was littered with them. Some had broken open, revealing their crystal-lined interiors.

As we approached the archway, the structure took on a menacing appearance. It stood beside a rocky slope, and was perhaps 7 feet high by 5 feet in width. Its columns measured approximately 15 inches in diameter and were made of andesite.

Chuck jokingly tossed several rocks through, but nothing happened. Next, I placed my arm in. Roy, the superstitious member of our foursome, said I was flirting with danger if the story was true. Knowing his nature towards the unknown, I decided to play a joke. I suddenly yelled, like something was pulling me through. Jumping back, I began laughing as Roy cussed me out. By now, we were all close friends, so no offense was taken.

After several hours we departed this interesting location, carrying a number of geodes. I remember glancing back at this lonely part of the world, wondering if there was truly something within the area that could alter time at random. Was it just the archway itself, or were other unknown natural forces at play?

We would definitely discover the answer--at least to the time-altering question.

View: Full Article | Source: Tucson Weekly

[Halo_Jones]

Good story Lional, thanks. It would be intresting to see if this arch was a portal to another time, or it may lead to another dimension!

[pappagooch]

Discussion also here

Mysterious Stone Archway a Time Portal?

Cool article! I think I just may venture through Southwestern Arizona!

[Mystify]

Very intresting story!

[SpaceyKC]

That is mysterious. I wonder if the power plant was built and if it had any effect on the 'archway'.

[peacelover]

What a story. Really good. Is it true? If so, do you know if anyone else has seen this same sight? How long did you stay in Arizona? Was the light plant built? Has this changed anything for the residents? I would like to know more about this. Thanks again for the story.

Peacelover

[saxcatz]

This location is about a half hour drive for me...

I'm quite tempted to gather up my "posse" of paranomal freaks and check it out!!!

[saxcatz]

BTW Lionel, what are you doing reading the Tucson Weekly???

That paper contains some of the absolute worst journalism I've ever seen in a "legitimate" paper. It's like our local version of the "weekly world news."

[Lionel]

BTW Lionel, what are you doing reading the Tucson Weekly???

That paper contains some of the absolute worst journalism I've ever seen in a "legitimate" paper. It's like our local version of the "weekly world news."

I dont read the Tucson Weekly. This article was also reported in MSNBC, I thought it would interest our members so I posted it.

[Naveed]

Great article! I think I found a new place to check out next time I visit my grandparents in phoenix.

[JordanJane]

i was instantly fascinated with this story when i heard it on coast-2-coast. PM me if you have more information on it, i would love to visit.

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/mysteries-in-the-mountains/Content?oid=1072291

[arsinoe]

I grew up in Tucson and was always fascinated by this story. I think I read it first some time ago. Maybe it's time to investigate next time I'm home!

[soldier4death]

That was a very interesting read.

[ChrLzs]

First up, the OP was made in 2003 - talk about necroposting.. The OP posted that story in a way that suggested it was him, but it was not.

This story is repeated in a few places, but it never contains specifics about the location to allow others to investigate, and never talks about where all the physical evidence is now, nor are there any photos of the area.. The articles contains photos NOT from that region at all....

It sounds like a pile of fictional claptrap, there seems to be no way to properly investigate it, and having 'Wadewebb' endorse it is the kiss of death... If he behaves as he has in the past he will simply keep repeating that address to a non-descript part of S Arizona - he seems incapable of saying anything coherent beyond that... Prove me wrong, wade and I'll apologise..

BTW, if you google it, the nearest 'ranch' seems to be one for troubled teens..... how apt.

[Marcion Meets E. Sibyl]

A real-life Twilight Zone may exist in Arizona

The episode is called "Bernie Sanders Getting Punk'd in Arizona." Edited April 3, 2016 by Ehrman Pagels 1

[evalha]

Cool! I read The Haunted Mesa too!

[Tatetopa]

Wise but superstitious old Indians are good for furthering the plot along, but things that are sacred don't get passed along casually. When more people hear a story, it becomes diluted. Then its only a yarn and has no power left.