Legendary American Creatures

Whether you first heard the spooky story around a crackling campfire at summer camp when you were young, or you first learned about these legendary creatures after moving to a new town, there are many legendary creatures that roam our country from coast to coast. Often the creatures are an important part of local lore and inhabit a specific region, however, their stories often travel far and wide to inspire curiosity in people of all ages.

The Mothman

First reported on November 1966 the Mothman is a fierce, human figure with giant moth-like wings that appeared in the Point Pleasant area of Kentucky. The first official report was made by five men who were digging graves in a cemetery, while the second sighting that was recorded in the newspaper was from two different couples who saw it while driving around the outskirts of town, which was the site of a World War II munitions factory. Sightings of this large and fearsome creature continued until a tragic bridge collapse on December 15, 1967. Many believe that his appearance was connected to this tragedy in which 46 people died.

The Jersey Devil

As you travel through the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, be on the lookout for the Jersey Devil. While there are many different variations of this legendary creature, it is most commonly described as a kangroo-like animal with hoofs, a goat head and leathery wings like a bat. It also is known for having small arms with clawed hands and a forked tail. Not only does the Jersey Devil look terrifying, it also lets out a blood-curdling scream as it quickly flies through the air. Sightings of this creature date far back in history to the native Lenni Lenape tribe who named the area, “Place of the Dragon”.

Momo the Monster

Said to haunt the wilds of Missouri, Momo is the nickname for the Missouri Monster. It was first reported in 1971 by a group of people enjoying a picnic lunch. A large, hairy creature came out of the woods and ate their lunch while they took shelter in their car. Legend has it that this creature is 7 feet tall with black hair covering its eyes and a terrible smell that follows it wherever it goes, which is probably attributed to poor hygiene and a diet that consists of dogs.

Wendigo

This terrifying creature haunts the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes region and was first recorded by Algonquian tribes in the area. The Wendigo is half monster and half human that feasts on human flesh. While many variations of the Wendigo are found throughout American history and in different regions, one thing that remains constant is that it is a human who transforms into a monster creature that engages in cannibalism.

Even if you never get the opportunity to travel to Scotland to look for the Loch Ness monster, there are still many legendary creatures that you can search for right here in America. You might be surprised at how close some of these come to your own home. What legendary creatures lurk near you?