The Cedar Bog Monster: Bigfoot in Ohio?
Cedar Bog, where the Cedar Bog Monster is reportedly hiding. Photo: Ohio DNR
In 1942, a bigfoot-like creature was spotted in Cedar Bog, Ohio. This creature was blamed for the disappearance of a group of teenagers, and its legacy still haunts locals to this day.
Strange Happenings at Cedar Bog
Not long after Cedar Bog was designated as protected land, it became known for sightings of an ape-like creature lurking in the area with malevolent intentions, haunting the darkness of the night. The locals were well aware that there was something inexplicable and beyond comprehension in the vicinity. While driving along Woodburn Road, glimpses of a colossal entity in the woods, faintly illuminated by the moon, could occasionally be spotted. Was it possible that Bigfoot had arrived in the rural area of Ohio?
The Cedar Bog Monster was described as a massive creature, standing roughly seven feet tall, with penetrating red eyes that shone brilliantly. It was covered in fur, likely light in color, and, most importantly, it exuded a horrifically bad smell.
Sightings of the Cedar Bog Monster
In 1945, on a cold night, a car was discovered near the nature preserve, and upon inspection, nothing was found inside except for a trail of footprints that led directly into the preserve. Upon entering the preserve, nothing was discovered, and the missing individuals were never seen again.
Despite the fact that the car was linked to a local teenager who had gone on a camping trip with two friends, no trace of them was discovered, and it was determined that no creatures capable of killing and consuming three human beings existed in the preserve. Clearly, something terrible had occurred to them, and the locals were convinced that the monster of the bog was responsible.
Soon after, a tall, chain-link fence was erected around the bog, which wasn't unusual in itself, but the presence of barbed wire and "danger" signs was concerning. People suspected that it was connected to the missing teenagers and the alleged "monster" rather than just keeping deer off the road. The search for the missing individuals eventually went cold.
Many people remained suspicious of the fence and the mystery that lay within, convinced that there was something to be found. Despite the intention of the authorities to keep things quiet, word soon spread throughout America that something strange was happening in the bog.
Monster hunters began to arrive in droves, parking their cars next to the chain-link fence in groups of hundreds each month, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was inside. Rumors began to circulate that the fence was meant to keep something in, rather than to keep people out.
Despite the fact that three teenagers had gone missing and were possibly attacked by a strange creature, local teenagers were undeterred and continued to frequent the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature for themselves.
Some did, and not long after the first incident, two more teenagers parked on the road for a romantic adventure. They were startled by a rustling sound coming from the thicket behind them. The boy assumed it was his girlfriend's anxiety and urged her to ignore it, but the noise continued to grow louder. They wondered what could be out there.
With caution, they lifted their heads from the backseat, peering through the rear window, and then they saw it. The woods behind the creature cast an eerie shadow, but the couple could still make out the extraordinary figure standing ten feet away from the car.
The creature was immense, towering at seven feet, and it stood there motionless, fixedly gazing at the couple. The stench emanating from the creature was truly repugnant. The couple drove away as fast as they could.
Modern Day Cedar Bog
Even today, sightings of a mysterious creature in Cedar Bog continue. While the locals are uncertain about what exactly lurks there, most are convinced that something strange resides within the preserve.
Chris Erter, a local resident, lives on Cedar Creek Road, which runs through his property, and he frequently hears reports of strange sightings in the woods. Chickens and cats often go missing, leading many to believe that the monster is responsible.
The creature appears in the spring and fall, and local farmers frequently complain about bizarre occurrences on their farms. There is even an Aztec mound in the area, which has been featured on ghost hunting television shows. Visitors can now access the preserve through a boardwalk and visitor center.
