5 Urban Legends from Upstate New York

With Upstate New York's rich history, it's no surprise that the area is subject of many urban legends. We've collected our 5 favorites.

1
Building 666 at Plattsburgh Air Force Base
Plattsburgh's Air Force Base operated from 1955 to 1995 and is the basis of many rumors in Clinton County. One of the more intriguing ones is Building 666. According to rumor, that is the number assigned to the crematorium adjacent to the base's cemetery, the final resting place of servicemen who died while at Plattsburgh.
Eric Meier Collection
Eric Meier Collection
2
The White Lady of Rochester
The 'White Lady' legends are one of the world's most popular ghost stories. Rochester's White Lady is found in Durand Eastman Park which is on the shores of Lake Ontario. The lady supposedly drown in the lake and today protects other women who are in the park.
Eric Meier Collection
Eric Meier Collection
3
Tunnels Under Utica and Rome
Many big cities and universities are rumored to have underground tunnel complexes. Utica and Rome are no exception. This Topix discussion from 2008 reveals suspected locations of access points to the tunnels as well as reasons for their existence ranging from the Underground Railroad to running booze during Prohibition. Downtown Utica, Mohawk and Albany Streets in East Utica as well as Griffiss Park in Rome are the most rumored about tunnel locations.
Eric Meier Collection
Eric Meier Collection
4
The Lake George Vortex
Would you believe there is a spot in the Adirondacks where the normal rules of physics don't apply. The Mystery Spot in downtown Lake George at the visitors' center along US 9. Those you have visited report very odd feelings and sounds 'like you're in a cone.'
5
Champ - New York's 'Loch Ness' Monster
Lake Champlain, on the border of New York and Vermont, is the home of a cryptozoological mystery that's compared to the Loch Ness Monster. Champ is a lake monster that's be sighted by sailors since the 1830s.