TR Robertson–The speculations that unusual and scary creatures have co-existed with humans has been in existence since humans first came into existence. Those things that go bump in the night have become a part of folklore, evolving over the years into elaborate stories, many times complete with photos, film, footprints, and personal testimony. For the most part, most of the photos are a little questionable and one must stretch the limits of analysis to see what they are supposed to contain. Other creatures are part of the cultural beliefs of a variety of Native American tribes, thought to exist for specific purposes within their culture. Every single state in the United States has legends and myths surrounding these legendary monsters. Some of these tales may have been brought over when explorers began to settle in the states and many of the tales already existed withing the legends of the Native Americans. Some of our states have more than one creature. For this article, each state will be listed alphabetically, and the most significant creature will be named and described for each state. Article will be in two parts.
Alabama – White Thang – 7-8 Ft. tall, thick white hair, North Alabama, high pitched scream, strong odor, also called Pal-Pai-Yuk
Alaska – Tizhurek – from Inuit religion, snake-like creature off waters of Key Islands, 7 ft. head and flipper type tail.
Arizona – Mongollon Monster – eastern central Az. Along the Mongollon Rim, bipedal, mimics animal sounds, 7 ft. tall, 22 in. footprints, red eyes, black-reddish hair, strong odor
Arkansas – Fouke Monster – hominid-like, 7 ft. tall, 3 ft. chest, strong odor, very agile and fast, red eyes.
California – Tahoe Tessie – seen in Lake Tahoe, similar to Loch Ness Nessie in appearance and size.
Colorado – Slide Rock Bolter – lives in mountainous regions on slopes of 45 degrees, immense head, small eyes, large mouth, fluked tail, can crush trees and consume rocks and dirt.
Connecticut – Melon Heads – small humanoids, bulbous heads, many stories on how they arrived, possibly from Europe, they prey on humans.
Delaware – Zwaanendael Merman – shriveled head of a monkey sewn onto a fish body, was once in a carnival sideshow.
Florida – Skunk Ape – southeastern Florida, ape-like creature, long patches of red hair, pale skin coloration around eyes, strong odor
Georgia – Altamaha-ha – southeastern Georgia, seen in Altamaha River, missing sound, snout like a crocodile, sturgeon-like body, front flippers, protruding eyes, no back limbs, sharp teeth.
Hawaii – Menehune – mythical dwarf people, live in deep forest area and valleys, crafts people, only appear at night.
Idaho – Sharlie – also called Slimy Slim, Twilight Dragon of Payette Lake, lives in alpine lakes, appearance of a sea serpent, humps, shell-like skin, 30-35 feet, said to be an evil spirit.
Indiana – Beast of Busco – an enormous snapping turtle, first seen in 1898, in 1949 a one-month search was held, 500 lbs. and 6 feet wide, also called Churubusco.
Illinois – The Enfield Horror – 3 legs, 2 short arms, pink eyes, 4 ½ ft. tall, greyish skin, baboon-like appearance.
Iowa – Van Meter Monster – 9 ft. tall, half-man, half bat-like creature, 3 toed prints found, flies.
Kansas – Sink Hole Sam – massive snake-like creature, 15-30 ft. long, seen around Inman, Kansas, and the Big Sinkhole
Kentucky – The Kelly Little Green Men – seen around Hopkinsville in 1955, 12-15 extra-terrestrial beings, 2-4 ft. tall, large-pointed ears, yellow eyes, claw-like hands, attacked adults and kids.
Louisiana – Rougarou – swamps of La., Cajun legend, human body, wolf or dog head, blood sucker, one story said it killed Catholics who do not follow rules of Lent.
Maine – Specter Moose – seen in Lobster Lake, large as a camel, 13 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide antlers, white color, weighs over a ton.
Maryland – Chessie – seen in Chesapeck Bay, first seen 1929, reptilian, serpentine, 12 feet long, large horse shaped head.
Massachusetts – Dover Demon – first seen in 1977, rosy orange skin, large head, eyes glow, stick-like body, hairless, bipedal.
Michigan – The Michigan Dogman – first seen 1887 in northwestern Michigan, 7 ft. tall, blue eyes, bipedal, canine-like animal, human torso, human scream, appears on a 10-year cycle.
Minnesota – Wendigo – from the First Nations Algonquin tribes, gaunt skeleton, seen in northern forests, odor of decay, cannibalistic, monstrous, malevolent spirit, human characteristics.
Mississippi – Pascagoula River Aliens – said to have abducted 2 men in 1973, appearance as robotic with slit-mouths and crab-like pincers.
Missouri – Momo – similar to Bigfoot, pumpkin-shaped head, shag carpet black fur, 7 ft. tall and strong odor.
