On the evening of September 12, 1952, a group of residents in Flatwoods, West Virginia, encountered a terrifying creature that has since become a local legend known as the "Flatwoods Monster." The incident began when a group of boys saw a bright object streak across the sky and apparently crash on a nearby farm.1 Their subsequent investigation with several adults led to a bizarre and frightening encounter that left a lasting mark on the community and the annals of paranormal folklore.2
The Encounter
Led by Kathleen May and National Guardsman Eugene Lemon, the group ascended the hill where the object was thought to have landed. There, they reported seeing a large, pulsating red light and a tall, dark figure.3 The creature was described as being at least 10 feet tall, with a glowing red face shaped like a spade or an ace of spades, and greenish-orange, non-human eyes. It appeared to be wearing a dark, pleated skirt-like garment and had claw-like hands.1 The being emitted a hissing sound and a sickening, metallic odor before gliding towards the witnesses, who fled in terror.4
Investigation and Explanations
The local sheriff investigated the scene but found no trace of the creature, though some of the witnesses reported being nauseous and having irritated throats for several days, which they attributed to the strange mist at the site.3 The official explanation, supported by investigators like Joe Nickell, is that the witnesses likely saw a meteor, which was widely reported that night, and mistook a large barn owl perched on a tree branch for the monster.5 The pulsating red light could have been an aircraft beacon. Despite these rational explanations, the Flatwoods Monster remains a celebrated piece of West Virginia folklore, with the town embracing its monstrous legacy through a museum and an annual festival.2