Vermont is a state known for its natural beauty, charming small towns, and outdoor activities. Some people believe that there are creatures lurking in the forests and lakes of Vermont that defy explanation. These creatures are known as cryptids, and they have captured the imagination of believers and skeptics alike. Here will we take a quick look at several Vermont cryptids which have captured the imagination of Vermonters and other fans of cryptozoology over the years.

The Bennington Monster

The Bennington Monster, also known as the Bennington Triangle, is said to be a creature with the body of a large cat, the head of a reptile, and the wings of a bird. It is said to be anywhere from five to seven feet tall and is known to emit a piercing scream that can be heard for miles. 

Some people believe that it is a surviving pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile that lived alongside dinosaurs, while others speculate that it is an unknown species of creature. Over the years, there have been numerous sightings of the Bennington Monster, with many people claiming to have seen it flying through the air or running through the woods.

The first reported sighting of the Bennington Monster occurred in 1945, when a man in his mid-seventies named Middie Rivers disappeared while hunting in the area. In the weeks following his disappearance, several other people reported seeing a strange creature in the woods, and some even claimed to have heard its blood-curdling scream.

On December 1st 1946, a woman named Mrs. Paula Weldon vanished while hiking on the Long Trail near Glastenbury Mountain, an area once known as Patch Hollow. The Hollow has since become known as the “Bennington Triangle” due to the number of unexplained disappearances and strange occurrences that have happened there. 

Paula’s disappearance sparked a massive search effort, but no trace of her was ever found. She was one of five innocent people who vanished without a trace between 1945 and 1950, often referred to as the Patch Hollow Massacre. Believe it or not, the Weldon disappearance was the incident that birthed the Vermont State Police. Despite numerous searches and investigations, no one has ever been able to explain what happened to these people or to definitively prove the existence of the Bennington Monster.

Some people believe that the Bennington Monster is a supernatural creature, while others think that it is a real, flesh-and-blood animal that has yet to be discovered by science. Whatever the case may be, the legend of the Bennington Monster has become an integral part of the town’s folklore and continues to fascinate and intrigue people to this day.

Champ, the Monster of Lake Champlain

In the 1980s, the states of Vermont and New York passed resolutions in their respective governments to protect Champ, a legendary lake monster that supposedly resides in Lake Champlain, a natural freshwater lake that stretches along the border of these two states. The resolutions were primarily aimed at protecting the creature, should it actually exist, from any harm or harassment from human activity.

These resolutions were significant because they recognized the cultural and ecological importance of Champ to the local communities in the region. Lake Champlain has long been the subject of legends and folklore, with many stories featuring a large, serpent-like creature that inhabits its waters. While the existence of Champ remains unproven, many people in the region believe in its existence and consider it an important part of their heritage. There is a famous monument on the Burlington side of Lake Champlain celebrating this iconic Vermont cryptid.

Pig Man of Northfield, Vermont

The woods near Northfield, Vermont are rumored to be home to a strange creature, which is said to be half-human and half-pig. The local legend has different versions, but some details remain consistent. On the night before Halloween in 1951, a 17-year-old boy named Sam Harris ventured out alone with an egg basket, intending to cause some trouble. However, he never returned, and his body was never discovered, leaving his fate a mystery.

The Devil’s Washbowl, located near Northfield, is a spot known for its caves, waterfalls, and river. Following multiple sightings of the Pigman, locals began to explore the area and discovered a cave with scattered animal bones, including some that appeared to be from pigs. News of the Pigman’s lair spread quickly, but the creature itself remained elusive, and no one was able to capture it. Whether the Pigman is Sam Harris or the animal that consumed him, remains a mystery to this day.

The Black Beast of Snake Mountain

Nestled deep within the Green Mountains of Vermont, there lies a sinister legend that has captivated the imaginations of locals for centuries. The legend speaks of a creature known as the Black Beast of Snake Mountain – a terrifying entity that roams the forested slopes of Snake Mountain and preys on unsuspecting hikers and campers. While many believe the legend to be nothing more than a folktale, others claim to have encountered the beast firsthand, describing it as a massive, black-furred creature with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws.

The origins of the Black Beast of Snake Mountain legend are shrouded in mystery, but many believe it dates back to the days of the Abenaki, a Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. According to legend, the Abenaki worshipped a powerful forest spirit known as the Wendigo, a malevolent being that was said to possess the power to transform humans into monsters. Some believe that the Wendigo was responsible for creating the Black Beast, imbuing it with supernatural powers and an insatiable hunger for human flesh.

This article, Vermont Cryptids: Enigmatic Creatures Of The Green Mountains, originally appeared on TomSlatin.com, on July 10, 2023.