Urban legends are a unique type of folklore, often involving mysterious creatures or spooky tales passed down through generations. Illinois certainly isn’t shy when it comes to eerie stories, and one legend in particular is known across the state as one of the spookiest of all.

The Legend of the Big Muddy Monster

This legend traces back to Southern Illinois , it’s the tale of the Big Muddy Monster . The story began in the summer of 1973, when locals reported sightings of a creature described as being eight feet tall, covered in matted, muddy hair, and giving off a terrible odor.

Some even claimed to have discovered large tracks and slimy residue left behind. Throughout that summer, police were called multiple times by residents who swore they saw the monster lurking in the woods

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