Introduction
“Mel’s Hole” burst into the national consciousness in 1997 via Coast to Coast AM, the legendary late-night radio show. The caller, “Mel Waters,” described a mysterious pit in Washington State, supposedly bottomless, with bizarre properties: lowering objects never reached the end, dead animals thrown in came back alive, and government agents eventually seized the property. Is it a tall tale, or does something unearthly hide in America’s wilderness?
Origins
The legend began when Mel Waters phoned in to Art Bell’s program, detailing his experiences and failed attempts to measure the hole’s depth. Subsequent callers, researchers, and adventurers have sought “Mel’s Hole,” but its location and Mel’s identity remain elusive.
Theories and Interpretations
- Paranormal Portal: Some believe Mel’s Hole is a gateway to other dimensions, or a remnant of ancient technology.
- Hoax or Social Experiment: Skeptics point to inconsistencies in Mel’s story and the lack of any verifiable evidence.
- Psychological Phenomenon: Others see the story as a perfect example of late-20th-century American mythmaking, blending UFO lore, government paranoia, and folk horror.
Key Examples
- The original Coast to Coast AM broadcasts, still debated by fans.
- Modern expeditions and YouTube explorers attempting to locate the “hole.”
- Mentions in pop culture: comics, podcasts, and indie documentaries.
Critical Analysis
Mel’s Hole is a legend for the age of talk radio and internet folklore—a metaphorical abyss, bottomless as the American imagination.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- Jeff Davis & Al Eufrasio – “Weird Washington” – Sterling, 2008.
- Jeff Belanger – “Weird Massachusetts” – Globe Pequot, 2012.
- Loren Coleman – “Mysterious America” – Paraview, 2007.