Flatwoods Monster
A 1952 encounter in Flatwoods, West Virginia, where local residents reported a 10-foot-tall creature with a glowing red face and a spade-shaped head.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
On September 12, 1952, in the small town of Flatwoods, West Virginia, several residents reported seeing a large meteor or fiery object crash land on a nearby hill. When they investigated, they encountered a 10-foot-tall creature with a spade-shaped head, glowing red eyes, and a dark silhouette described as a 'flying saucer' being. The creature reportedly glided rather than walked and emitted a hissing sound. Witnesses reported feeling nauseous and experiencing burning eyes. The incident was widely reported in newspapers and investigated by ufologists. Explanations include a misidentified barn owl, an extraterrestrial being, and mass hysteria.
KEY CLAIMS
The creature was a being of unknown origin, possibly extraterrestrial
Witnesses suffered physical symptoms (nausea, burning eyes) suggesting something toxic
The creature was accompanied by a bright light and a meteor-like object
The flatwoods area was visited by 'Men in Black' after the encounter
The creature was described as having no discernible arms and gliding movement
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Multiple witnesses provided consistent descriptions of the encounter
Newspapers reported the event at the time with witness details
Physical symptoms experienced by witnesses suggest a real exposure event
The ground at the site showed burn marks and flattened grass
The 'meteor' was reported across multiple states simultaneously
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
The most likely explanation is a misidentified barn owl, which matches many physical features
A barn owl's silhouette in poor light matches the spade-shaped head and large eyes
The physical symptoms could be caused by excitement or swamp gas
The burn marks could be from a meteorite strike or a hoax
The Men in Black accounts are typical of ufology folklore
TIMELINE
Creature encounter reported in Flatwoods, West Virginia
Media coverage; military investigates
Project Blue Book files the case as 'unidentified'
Flatwoods becomes a UFO lore landmark
KEY FIGURES
Kathleen May
One of the lead witnesses who saw the creature
Gene Lemon
Witness who brought a flashlight and illuminated the creature
Ivan Sanderson
Ufologist who investigated the incident
ORGANIZATIONS
U.S. Air Force — Project Blue Book
Military
Flatwoods Historical Society
Local History
SOURCES
RELATED ENTITIES
PEOPLE
Kathleen May
Gene Lemon
Ivan Sanderson
ORGANIZATIONS
U.S. Air Force — Project Blue Book
Flatwoods Historical Society
EVENTS
Creature encounter reported in Flatwoods, West Virginia
1952-09-12
Media coverage; military investigates
1952-09-13
Project Blue Book files the case as 'unidentified'
1952-09
Flatwoods becomes a UFO lore landmark
1960s–present