September's Cryptid Eye: Flatwoods Monster

There is a new cryptid eye on the block, and i f you, like me had never heard about the Flatwoods Monster here's the opportunity to learn about it;

On the evening of September 12, 1952, a quiet town in Braxton County, West Virginia, became the epicenter of one of the most enigmatic UFO encounters in American history. Known as the "Flatwoods Monster," this otherworldly figure has become a mystery symbol, sparking decades of speculation and intrigue.

The event began when brothers Edward and Fred May, with their friend Tommy Hyer, spotted a bright object streaking across the sky. Believing it to be a meteor, the boys ran to their mother, Kathleen May, and excitedly described what they had seen. Accompanied by a few neighbors, they ventured into the hills to investigate, unaware that their curiosity would lead to an encounter that would become legendary.

As the group reached the top of a hill near the small town of Flatwoods, they were met with an eerie sight. They saw a glowing, pulsating object hovering near the ground in the fading light. More chillingly, nearby was a strange creature, towering between 7 to 10 feet tall. Descriptions varied, but the beast was commonly said to have a spade-shaped head, glowing red eyes, and a dark, mechanical-looking lower half. Some witnesses reported seeing long, claw-like hands. Most unsettling was the thick, acrid fog that accompanied the being, causing those present to experience nausea and irritation of the eyes and throat.

The terrified witnesses fled the scene and reported the encounter to local authorities. Skeptics quickly attributed the sighting to natural phenomena, suggesting the "monster" was an owl or other misidentified animal, while the strange light was a meteor. However, the witnesses remained adamant that what they saw was not of this world.

The Flatwoods Monster was thrust into the national spotlight, garnering media attention and sparking investigations. Though some explanations, including military aircraft tests, have been proposed, none have solved the mystery.

For decades, the Flatwoods Monster has captured the imagination of UFO enthusiasts, paranormal investigators, and skeptics alike. The incident remains one of the most famous in American UFO lore, drawing visitors to Flatwoods, where a small museum dedicated to the event stands. Whether alien, cryptid or a case of mistaken identity, the story of the Flatwoods Monster continues to haunt the hills of West Virginia, a reminder of the unknown lurking in our skies.

**"It's a story as much about the questions as the answers,"** said a local historian, **" and that's what keeps it alive after all these years."**