The Great Airship Mystery of 1896-1897 refers to a series of mysterious airship sightings across the United States, starting in California and spreading eastward. These sightings, which occurred from late 1896 through mid-1897, captivated the public and sparked widespread speculation and media coverage.Key Events and Descriptions

• Initial Sightings in California (November 1896): The wave of sightings began in Sacramento, California, where residents reported seeing a bright light moving slowly across the sky. Some witnesses claimed to see a dark shape behind the light and heard voices issuing commands13. The airship was described as having a cigar-shaped body with wheels on the side, powered by two men pedaling on a bicycle-like frame3.


• Spread Across the U.S. (1897): After the initial reports in California, sightings spread eastward across the United States. By April 1897, reports had come from as far as Michigan and Texas. In some accounts, witnesses described seeing human-like occupants or hearing voices from the airships14.