The Flatwoods Monster

Introduction

On September 12, 1952, a group of local boys and a mother in the small town of Flatwoods, West Virginia, witnessed a bright object cross the sky and appear to crash on a nearby hilltop. Investigating the site, they encountered a terrifying entity that would become known as the "Flatwoods Monster" or the "Braxton County Monster." This event remains one of the most credible and detailed close encounters of the 20th century.

Historical Background

The 1950s saw a surge in UFO sightings across the United States, fueled by Cold War anxieties and the Space Race. However, the Flatwoods case stood out due to the number of witnesses (seven in the primary group) and the physical sickness reported by them immediately after the encounter.

Eyewitness Accounts

Led by Kathleen May and National Guardsman Gene Lemon, the group climbed the hill to investigate the "fireball." They reported seeing a pulsating red ball of light and smelling a pungent, metallic mist that burned their eyes and noses. Lemon turned his flashlight toward a pair of shining eyes in a tree, revealing a 10-foot tall figure with a "spade-shaped" head and a dark, pleated skirt-like body. The creature reportedly hissed and glided toward them, causing the group to flee in panic.

Investigations

The site was investigated the following day. While no creature was found, investigators noted skid marks and a lingering, irritating odor. Several of the witnesses were treated for symptoms similar to mustard gas exposure—vomiting, convulsions, and throat irritation. The U.S. Air Force Project Blue Book investigated the incident but largely dismissed it, though local interest remained intense.

Skeptical Explanations

The primary skeptical theory, endorsed by the Air Force, is a combination of a meteor sighting and a misidentified owl. The "fireball" was likely a meteor. The "creature" was theorized to be a Barn Owl perched on a high tree branch; its eyes reflecting the flashlight, and the "skirt" being the shadows of the foliage beneath it. The "hissing" and "gliding" are consistent with a startled owl's defense mechanisms. The witness sickness was attributed to hysteria and the overexertion of running up the hill in a panic.

Current Status

Flatwoods has embraced its monster. Signs welcoming visitors to "Home of the Green Monster" stand at the town limits, and the entity features heavily in video games and pop culture. It serves as a prime example of how a single night's event can define a community's identity for decades.

Sources

• Flim-Flam! by Joe Nickell (Skeptical investigation).
• Project Blue Book Archive.
• Braxton County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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