Dewey Lake Monster

In Michigan folklore, the Dewey Lake Monster is a legendary creature first widely publicized in summer 1964 after reportedly being sighted near Dewey Lake in Dowagiac, Michigan.[1] The creature was supposed to be a hairy beast as big as nine feet tall, with glowing eyes.[2]

History

According to legend, a creature purported to be a combination of gorilla, bear and cat was rumored to dwell in the area between Sister Lakes and Decatur, Michigan. In June 1964, the tale gained national attention after some local residents claimed to have seen a creature "with glowing eyes" approximately 9 feet (2.7 metres) tall and weighing about 500 pounds (230 kilograms). Police searched the area and found nothing, but the reports caused a flood of curious thrill-seekers and monster-hunters to besiege the community that summer. Local entrepreneurs sold the tourists "monster 'getaway' gas, monster burgers and monster hunting kits — replete with a net, flashlight, squirt gun, a mallet and a stake".[1]

Several zoologists told the South Bend Tribune on June 12, 1964 that the creature may be a bear or gorilla, but William Rowe, conservation officer for Cass County said that there was no foundation to the story at all, as did Cass County's Sheriff Robert Dool.[2] By June 14, the Tribune reported, "The beasts with flaming eyes last week created near panic in this rolling land of legends. But nobody seems frightened anymore."[3]

In 1983, the Tribune suggested, "The monster himself may have been hatched in the imaginations of a couple of well-sauced strawberry pickers. Some say the Dewey Lake monster came out of a wine bottle."[4] According to Steve Arseneau of the Dowagiac Area History Museum, “Perhaps some people saw something, and their imaginations got the better of them.” Arseneau adds, “I view it more as a ‘rural legend’ that we’ve got out here.”[1]

  • In 2016, the annual Dewey Lake Boat Parade celebrated the Dewey Lake Monster legend.[5]
  • Local beer brewer Sister Lakes Brewing named a beer after the Dewy Lake Monster.[6]

References
  1. Kuharic, Joe (February 23, 2017). "It came from Dewey Lake". Leader Publications. Doawgiac Daily News. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. "Dewey Lake 'Monster Is Nonexistent'". The South Bend Tribune. June 12, 1964. p. 21. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. Gard, Ray (June 14, 1964). "'Hairy Monster' Scare Lessens". South Bend Tribune. p. 21. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. "Action Line". South Bend Tribune. August 18, 1983. p. 2. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  5. "Dewey Lake boat parade celebrates the Dewey Lake Monster". wwmt.com. WWMT TV. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  6. "Dewey Lake Monster - Sister Lakes Brewing". Beeradvocate.com. Beer Advocate. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
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