Some cryptid stories make one say WTF?
This is one of them.
3 different states have versions of this tale. Michigan, Connecticut, and Ohio. All three versions involve children who are physically or mentally handicapped being abandoned in the woods to fend for themselves and going feral.
The crazy thing is, given our cultures history of using sanitariums and orphanages to warehouse the weak or otherwise undesirable members of society…and then subsequently abusing and abandoning them, I don’t think this one is a fake as we would like. In fact, the only part I think is 100% made up is the idea that these poor people both survived and became predatory.
Still, it is a wild tale…and made for a weird drawing. I chose to focus on the Michigan version because there were plenty of pictures of the Felt Mansion (where these kids were supposedly warehoused) to use as a model. I hope you enjoy the image. Below is a breakdown of the three different stories around this nightmare.
The Legend of the Ohio Melon Heads
In the quiet, wooded areas around Kirtland, Ohio, a chilling legend persists, one that has been whispered among locals for decades. The story centers on the Melon Heads, mysterious figures said to inhabit the dense forests and hidden corners of the region. These beings are characterized by their abnormally large, melon-shaped heads and small, frail bodies, and their origin story is as tragic as it is terrifying.
Dr. Crow and the Experiments
The tale begins with a reclusive and enigmatic figure known as Dr. Crow (sometimes spelled “Dr. Krow”). According to the legend, Dr. Crow was a brilliant yet mad scientist who lived in an isolated mansion deep in the Ohio woods. He was known for his eccentric behavior and unorthodox experiments, which he conducted far away from the prying eyes of society.
Dr. Crow’s obsession was with the human brain. His experiments aimed to cure or control hydrocephalus, a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid causes the head to swell. To achieve his goals, he took in children who suffered from the condition, promising their desperate parents he could help. However, instead of providing care, Dr. Crow subjected these children to cruel and inhumane experiments.
The children, isolated from the outside world, underwent painful procedures that only exacerbated their condition. Their heads grew even larger, and their bodies remained stunted and weak. Over time, the children’s appearances became grotesque caricatures of humanity, with their bulbous heads and gaunt frames.
The Revolt
Years of torment and suffering took their toll. The children, now deformed and mentally scarred, began to lose hope of ever escaping their nightmarish existence. However, a spark of rebellion ignited among them. They united in their shared pain and anger, planning an uprising against their tormentor.
One stormy night, their plan came to fruition. The children, using whatever they could find as weapons, attacked Dr. Crow. In the ensuing chaos, the mansion was set ablaze. Dr. Crow perished in the fire, and the facility was reduced to smoldering ruins. The children, now free from their captor but still bearing the physical and psychological scars of their ordeal, fled into the surrounding forest.
Life in the Shadows
The children, now known as the Melon Heads, found refuge in the deep woods around Kirtland. They adapted to their new life, becoming adept at hiding from the world that had forsaken them. They lived off the land, creating makeshift shelters and foraging for food. Their appearances and the stories surrounding them kept them isolated from society, as locals began to fear the strange beings lurking in the woods.
Encounters and Sightings
Over the years, there have been numerous reports of encounters with the Melon Heads. Locals and visitors alike have claimed to see small, humanoid figures with large heads darting through the trees or standing at the edge of the forest, watching silently. Some have reported more direct interactions, often terrifying in nature.
One common tale involves cars breaking down on secluded roads near the old Crow mansion’s site. The occupants would hear strange noises or see figures approaching their vehicle. In some stories, the Melon Heads attack the car, leaving scratches and dents, before vanishing back into the woods.
Another popular story tells of hikers who wander too deep into the forest, only to encounter the Melon Heads. These hikers often report feeling an eerie presence watching them, hearing footsteps behind them, or even seeing the Melon Heads up close. These encounters typically end with the hikers fleeing in terror, their minds haunted by the sight of the deformed figures.
The Legacy
The legend of the Ohio Melon Heads continues to captivate and terrify. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation and the cruelty that can arise from human isolation and suffering. While some dismiss the Melon Heads as mere folklore, a product of overactive imaginations and campfire stories, others believe there is a kernel of truth behind the legend.
To this day, the forests around Kirtland hold their secrets tightly. Whether the Melon Heads are real or simply a manifestation of local fears and imagination, their story endures, a haunting reminder of the darker side of human nature and the enduring power of legends.
Deep in the shadowy woods of Fairfield County, Connecticut, a chilling legend endures—one that has been passed down through generations, whispered among locals, and shared around campfires. This is the story of the Connecticut Melon Heads, mysterious and frightening beings that are said to inhabit the dense forests and abandoned roads of the region.
The Dark History
The tale of the Connecticut Melon Heads begins in the early 20th century, centered around an infamous institution known as the Fairfield Hills State Hospital, though some versions of the legend also mention a place called the Garner Correctional Institution or other local asylums. These were facilities meant to house the mentally ill, but according to the legend, the conditions inside were anything but therapeutic.
The hospitals were said to be overcrowded and underfunded, leading to horrific living conditions. The patients, many of whom were children suffering from various mental and physical conditions, were subjected to brutal treatments and cruel experiments. Among these children were those afflicted with hydrocephalus, a condition that caused their heads to swell grotesquely.
The Escape
As the story goes, the mistreatment at the hospital reached unbearable levels. In a desperate bid for freedom, a group of these children managed to escape into the surrounding woods. Malnourished and disfigured from their years of abuse and neglect, they were left to fend for themselves in the wild. The local authorities conducted a search but failed to locate the missing children. Over time, they were presumed dead, their tragic story fading into obscurity.
But the legend didn’t die. Instead, it transformed and grew with each retelling. The children were said to have survived, adapting to their harsh new environment. They lived in makeshift shelters, scavenging for food and avoiding human contact. Over the years, their isolation and inbreeding caused their physical deformities to become even more pronounced, their heads swelling to unnatural sizes while their bodies remained small and frail.
Encounters and Sightings
The Melon Heads, as they came to be known, became the subject of numerous sightings and encounters. The most well-known accounts involve secluded, narrow roads in Fairfield County, particularly around the towns of Trumbull, Shelton, and Monroe. Roads like “Dracula Drive” (a nickname given to several rural roads) are often cited as locations where people have encountered the Melon Heads.
Many of these stories share common elements:
- Cars Breaking Down: Travelers on these remote roads often report their cars breaking down or experiencing strange mechanical failures. As they try to figure out what’s wrong, they begin to feel an eerie presence. Shadows move in the periphery, and strange noises echo from the woods.
- The Approach: Those brave enough to investigate often report seeing small, humanoid figures emerging from the forest. The figures are described as having large, misshapen heads and thin, twisted bodies. Their eyes are said to glow with a malevolent intensity.
- Attack or Retreat: In some tales, the Melon Heads are aggressive, attacking the car or its occupants with sticks and stones, trying to drive them away. In other accounts, they merely watch from a distance, their silent presence enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who encounters them.
- Hikers and Explorers: Hikers who venture too deep into the woods have also reported encounters with the Melon Heads. These explorers often get lost, only to realize they are being stalked by the elusive creatures. Panicked, they flee, sometimes finding strange, hand-made structures or hearing eerie laughter as they make their escape.
The Legacy
The legend of the Connecticut Melon Heads persists to this day, a blend of historical fact and supernatural fiction. It serves as a grim reminder of the darker aspects of human nature—how fear and cruelty can drive the marginalized into the shadows, where they become the stuff of nightmares. The Melon Heads are a symbol of the forgotten and mistreated, their tragic story a haunting echo in the forests of Connecticut.
Whether the Melon Heads are real, a figment of collective imagination, or a combination of both, their story continues to captivate and terrify. Locals and thrill-seekers alike still drive down the lonely roads and venture into the deep woods, half-hoping, half-dreading to catch a glimpse of the legendary Melon Heads, forever lurking in the shadows of Fairfield County.
The Legend of the Michigan Melon Heads
In the dense woods of Allegan County, Michigan, the eerie legend of the Melon Heads has persisted for decades, stirring the imaginations and fears of locals and visitors alike. This tale is one of mystery, tragedy, and the haunting presence of malformed beings who lurk in the shadows.
The Tragic Beginning
The story of the Michigan Melon Heads is deeply entwined with the history of the Felt Mansion, a grand estate built in the early 20th century. Originally constructed as a luxurious summer home for inventor and businessman Dorr E. Felt and his family, the mansion later became a seminary, then a state police post, and eventually a prison. However, according to legend, its most notorious use was as a mental institution.
During its time as an asylum, the mansion was said to house children suffering from hydrocephalus, a condition that causes an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to an enlarged head. These children were reportedly subjected to cruel and unethical experiments by the staff, who were either indifferent to their suffering or actively enjoyed inflicting pain.
The Escape
The harsh treatments and neglect eventually led to a desperate escape attempt. According to the legend, a group of these afflicted children managed to flee the confines of the institution. They sought refuge in the vast, uncharted woods surrounding the Felt Mansion. The dense forests provided the perfect hiding place for the children, now horribly disfigured and traumatized by their experiences.
Over time, these children adapted to their new life in the wilderness. Inbreeding among the small group, combined with their existing medical conditions, caused their deformities to become more pronounced. Their heads grew even larger, their bodies frail and twisted, and their minds became increasingly feral. They became the Melon Heads, a name derived from their grotesquely swollen craniums.
Life in the Shadows
The Melon Heads lived in isolation, building rudimentary shelters and scavenging for food. Their knowledge of the forest allowed them to remain hidden from the outside world, but their need to survive sometimes brought them into contact with locals and unsuspecting visitors.
Encounters and Sightings
Stories of encounters with the Melon Heads have been reported for decades. These encounters often follow a similar pattern, highlighting the fear and mystery that surround these enigmatic figures.
- Lost Travelers: Many accounts come from people who have gotten lost in the woods near the Felt Mansion. These individuals often report hearing strange noises—rustling leaves, snapping twigs, and eerie, high-pitched giggles. As they try to find their way out, they catch glimpses of small, humanoid figures with disproportionately large heads watching them from a distance.
- The Approach: Some encounters are more direct. Hikers or curious explorers who venture too close to the Melon Heads’ territory report being approached by the beings. The Melon Heads, with their large heads and wild, unkempt appearances, stare at intruders with a mix of curiosity and hostility. Their behavior ranges from cautious observation to outright aggression, especially if they feel threatened.
- Attacks: In more extreme stories, the Melon Heads are said to attack intruders. People have reported being chased through the woods, their vehicles being damaged, or even waking up to find scratches and dents on their cars after parking near the forest. These attacks are often attributed to the Melon Heads defending their territory.
- The Felt Mansion: The mansion itself remains a focal point for sightings. Visitors to the now-restored Felt Mansion claim to feel an unsettling presence, especially near the basement and surrounding grounds. Some have reported seeing shadowy figures in the windows or hearing unexplained noises within the mansion’s walls.
The Legacy
The legend of the Michigan Melon Heads is a chilling blend of historical fact and supernatural folklore. It reflects deep-seated fears about isolation, mistreatment, and the unknown. The Melon Heads are seen as tragic victims who became monsters due to the cruelty inflicted upon them, forever haunting the woods they now call home.
To this day, the forests of Allegan County and the area around the Felt Mansion hold a magnetic allure for those fascinated by the macabre. Whether the Melon Heads are real or simply the product of overactive imaginations, their story endures, a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk in the most unexpected places. The legend of the Michigan Melon Heads continues to captivate and terrify, a chilling narrative passed down through the generations, keeping the mystery and fear alive in the hearts of those who dare to explore the woods of Michigan.