The first well known UFO abduction in the United States took place in 1961, to married couple Betty and Barney Hill while traveling southbound on Route 3. The historical marker is placed just north of Indian Head Resort, which is where the couple reportedly were returned to after being taken aboard the craft.

The inscription on the marker reads “On the night of September 19–20, 1961, Portsmouth, NH couple Betty and Barney Hill experienced a close encounter with an unidentified flying object and two hours of “lost” time while driving south on Rte 3 near Lincoln. They filed an official Air Force Project Blue Book report of a brightly-lit cigar-shaped craft the next day, but were not public with their story until it was leaked in the Boston Traveler in 1965. This was the first widely-reported UFO abduction report in the United States.”

The description of the incidident has been become the basis for our stereotypical image of extra-terrestrials. The story is still widely debated, however the couple has remained steadfast in their account of that night and certain artifacts have been held and examined repeatedly. The next time you’re driving down Route 3 in Lincoln, consider stopping at the marker and imagine a dark road, much less occupied, and the sight of strange lights above you in the sky.