Illinois' Big Muddy Monster: 1973 Sightings and Enduring Legend

Illinois has a rich history of Bigfoot sightings, coming in at number four in the nation for documented reports. Southern Illinois, in particular, is known for its Bluff Country, thick forests, rivers, and the Shawnee National Forest. It's also home to the small town of Murphysboro, where an unknown creature terrified the community for ten days in 1973. A YouTube channel called Base Camp Chris recently shared stories from this chilling event. The first encounter occurred in the Riverside Park parking lot, near the Big Muddy River, when a teen couple heard a shrill scream and saw a 7-foot-tall, cream-colored, hair-covered creature walking towards their car. The couple quickly drove away as the creature continued to scream. Police were dispatched to the scene and found large, human-like footprints near the river. The second report came from a couple on Westwood Lane, who saw a similar 7- to 8-foot-tall creature in their backyard. The boyfriend approached the figure, which then walked back into the forest. Police followed a trail through the woods, discovering blackish slime on the grass and a horrible stench in an old barn. These incidents, along with other reports throughout the 70s and 80s, led to the legend of the "Big Muddy Monster" in Southern Illinois. Today, Murphysboro celebrates its cryptid history with a large sculpture, murals, and an annual Big Muddy Monster Festival. The stories from Murphysboro are a fascinating glimpse into the world of Bigfoot. If you're interested in learning more, be sure to check out the Base Camp Chris video on YouTube.