Nestled somewhere between the worlds of UFO’s and Cryptids, somewhere in the Mountains of West Virginia, you will find the Flatwoods monster. It is a bit of a strange tale, with a ring of truth to it…especially in some of the cowardly behavior in its story. I will save you the double talk and just get straight to the meat of the dinner.
The story of the first Flatwoods Monster encounter is a captivating and eerie tale that began on the evening of September 12, 1952, in the small town of Flatwoods, located in Braxton County, West Virginia. This encounter is one of the most well-documented and intriguing events in American cryptid folklore.
The Incident
The Sighting: Around 7:15 PM, two brothers, Edward (13) and Fred May (12), along with their friend Tommy Hyer (10), were playing in the schoolyard of Flatwoods Elementary School. They noticed a bright, fiery object streaking across the sky and seemingly landing on a nearby hillside on the Bailey Fisher farm. Excited and curious, the boys ran to the May household and told their mother, Kathleen May, about the strange object they had seen.
The Investigation: Kathleen May, accompanied by the three boys, a National Guardsman named Eugene Lemon (17), and two other local boys, Neil Nunley (14) and Ronnie Shaver (10), decided to investigate the site where the object had landed. Armed with a flashlight, the group ventured up the hillside towards the location of the sighting.
The Encounter: As they approached the site, the group noticed a pulsating red light emanating from the area. When they reached the top of the hill, Eugene Lemon shone his flashlight in the direction of the light. What they saw next would haunt them forever.
Standing in front of them was a bizarre and terrifying figure. Descriptions of the creature varied slightly among the witnesses, but common elements included:
- A towering figure, estimated to be 7 to 10 feet tall.
- A spade-shaped or hooded head with glowing red or green eyes.
- A body that appeared to be clad in a dark, metallic or greenish armor-like material.
- Long, claw-like fingers protruding from the creature’s arms.
- A lower half resembling a dark, pleated skirt.
The creature’s eyes emitted a bright, piercing light, and it appeared to hover or glide rather than walk. Witnesses also reported a strange, sickening mist and a nauseating metallic odor in the air. Some accounts mentioned a hissing or screeching noise accompanying the creature’s movements.
The Aftermath: Terrified, the group fled the scene and returned to the May household, where they promptly contacted local authorities. The sheriff and a deputy arrived to investigate but found no trace of the creature. However, they did notice a strange, lingering odor and skid marks in the grass, which some interpreted as evidence of a landing craft.
The incident quickly gained national attention, and the story was picked up by newspapers and radio stations across the country. Various theories emerged, ranging from an extraterrestrial visitation to a secret military experiment gone awry. Skeptics suggested that the sightings could be explained by natural phenomena, such as a meteor and a barn owl, combined with the witnesses’ heightened imagination and fear.
Flatwoods Monster
Known Origin and Basic Lore The Flatwoods Monster, also known as the Braxton County Monster or Phantom of Flatwoods, is a cryptid that reportedly appeared in the small town of Flatwoods, West Virginia, on September 12, 1952. The creature is said to have been sighted following the landing of a fiery object, believed by some to be a UFO, in the nearby woods. The tale began when a group of local boys, accompanied by Kathleen May, ventured to the site where they encountered the mysterious entity, leading to one of the most famous cryptid stories in American folklore.
Regional Names
- West Virginia: Flatwoods Monster, Braxton County Monster
- General UFO Lore: Phantom of Flatwoods
Significant Sightings
- September 12, 1952: The original sighting in Flatwoods, West Virginia. Witnesses described encountering a strange, tall figure with glowing eyes and a hood-like shape.
- 1952 Onwards: Subsequent reports in the surrounding areas mentioned sightings of similar creatures, though none as well-documented or widely reported as the initial encounter.
Physical Description The Flatwoods Monster is typically described as:
- Height: Approximately 7 to 10 feet tall.
- Head: A spade-shaped or hooded structure, with glowing red or green eyes.
- Body: Tall and humanoid, with a metallic, armored-like appearance. Some descriptions include long, claw-like fingers and a dark, pleated skirt extending from the waist down.
- Color: Dark green, often reported with a metallic sheen.
- Other Features: Some accounts mention a foul, misty odor surrounding the creature and a hissing or screeching noise during its appearance.
Behaviors
- The creature is said to glide or float rather than walk.
- Witnesses reported feelings of fear, nausea, and physical discomfort during the sighting, suggesting an unsettling presence or possible defensive mechanism.
Abilities
- Flight/Levitation: Reported to hover or float above the ground.
- Emissions: Descriptions include emitting a mist or gas that causes discomfort.
- Luminescence: Glowing eyes or head, possibly serving as a form of illumination or intimidation.
Preferred Habitat
- The Flatwoods Monster is associated with wooded areas and forests, particularly near the site of the initial sighting in Flatwoods, West Virginia. It is believed to favor secluded, dark environments away from human activity.
Range of Sightings
- Primary Location: Flatwoods and surrounding regions in Braxton County, West Virginia.
- Extended Range: Occasional reports from other parts of West Virginia and nearby states, though these are less frequent and often considered anecdotal.
Likelihood of Existence Based on Similar Species
- Comparative Analysis: While there are no confirmed species matching the exact description of the Flatwoods Monster, it bears similarities to other cryptid reports, such as Mothman and various extraterrestrial entities described in UFO lore.
- Skepticism and Explanation: Skeptics often attribute the sightings to misidentified natural phenomena, such as barn owls, combined with local folklore and heightened imagination. The lack of physical evidence and the isolated nature of credible sightings reduce the likelihood of the creature’s existence.
- Cultural Impact: Regardless of its physical existence, the Flatwoods Monster remains an enduring part of local and national folklore, highlighting the blend of mystery, fear, and fascination that surrounds cryptid legends.
Conclusion The Flatwoods Monster is an intriguing cryptid born from a specific historical context and enriched by regional lore. Its story continues to captivate and inspire curiosity, serving as a reminder of the enduring human penchant for mystery and the unknown.