The Pacific Northwest has Bigfoot. Scotland has Nessie. The Himalayas have the Yeti. But what cryptids are running wild around Indiana?
While slightly less famous, our Indiana cryptids are just as interesting — and they deserve some love. So why don’t we give it to them, “Love Island” style? Meet the cryptids who’ve just entered the villa.
The White River Monster
“Hi, I’m William Herman Hamilton, but you can call me Willie. I live in the White River in Noblesville, and the last time I had a night out was in 1892. I’m 12 ft long and have a forked tail; that’s not a deal breaker, is it?”
The Beast of Busco
“Hey, I’m the Beast of Busco, a car-sized snapping turtle from Churubusco who loves swimming and scaring fisherman. After a couple spotted me in 1948, the townspeople tried + failed to drain my lake and force me out into the open. But we’ve got a great relationship now; the town even hosts a festival in my honor each year.”
The Crawfordsville Journal said of its famous monster, “It flapped like a flag in the winds as it came on and frequently gave a great squirm as though suffering unutterable agony.”
Illustration by Mark A. Randall via “Indiana Cryptids: Mysterious Monsters in the Hoosier State”
The Crawfordsville Monster
“My name is Fordy, and I’m 133 years old. Some people have tried to dismiss me as a flock of birds, but don’t get it twisted: I’m a giant flaming eye that you’ll fall head over heels for. After all, the eyes are the window to the soul, right?”
Bremen Bridge Troll
“What’s up guys, I’m the Bremen Bridge Troll, coming at you from Little Egypt. If you drive to the center of my bridge, park, and get out, I’ll pop up to show you my crib. I’ve never had to lie about my height on the apps: I’m 8 ft tall.”
Have your own crazy cryptid love story? You have our full attention.
