or Squatchy as we like to say!
Bigfoot, often referred to as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature described as a large, ape-like being believed to inhabit forests, primarily in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Over the centuries, there have been numerous sightings and stories about Bigfoot. Here’s a brief and entertaining history of these sightings:
1. Native American Legends (Pre-19th Century)
Many Indigenous tribes across North America have legends of large, hairy creatures inhabiting the forests. These beings are often referred to as “Sasquatch” in the language of the Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest. Other tribes have similar stories, with descriptions ranging from friendly forest spirits to dangerous creatures. In the traditions of the Lummi people, for instance, the creature is known as “Ts’emekwes.”
2. The Ape Canyon Incident (1924)
One of the earliest documented modern sightings occurred in 1924 near Mount St. Helens in Washington. A group of miners reported that they were attacked by a group of ape-like creatures. The miners claimed that these “wild men” threw rocks at their cabin during the night. This event, known as the Ape Canyon Incident, became one of the most famous early Bigfoot stories, with the miners escaping the alleged attack by morning.
3. Jerry Crew’s Footprints (1958)
Bigfoot fever really started to catch on in the late 1950s when a bulldozer operator named Jerry Crew found large, human-like footprints near his construction site in Bluff Creek, California. He made a plaster cast of the footprints and brought them to the local newspaper, which published the story. This sighting sparked national interest, and the term “Bigfoot” was born.
4. The Patterson-Gimlin Film (1967)
Perhaps the most famous and iconic evidence for Bigfoot’s existence is the Patterson-Gimlin film. On October 20, 1967, Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin captured footage of what appears to be a large, bipedal creature walking along Bluff Creek in Northern California. This grainy footage remains the most widely debated piece of evidence, with skeptics claiming it’s a hoax and believers pointing to it as proof of Bigfoot’s existence.
5. The Freeman Footage (1994)
Paul Freeman, a former U.S. Forest Service patrolman, captured another highly controversial video in 1994 in the Blue Mountains of Washington. Freeman had been searching for Bigfoot for years and claimed to have found footprints, handprints, and even hair samples. His video allegedly shows a large, apelike creature walking through the forest. Like the Patterson-Gimlin film, it has been the subject of much debate.
6. Ongoing Sightings (2000s to Present)
In recent years, Bigfoot sightings have continued across North America. From hunters in remote forests to hikers in national parks, stories of encounters with large, hairy creatures persist. With the rise of social media and smartphones, more people have shared their experiences, but many of these reports lack concrete evidence. However, organizations like the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) continue to document and investigate these encounters.
Fun Facts
- Skunk Ape (Florida): In the southeastern U.S., particularly in Florida’s swamps, a Bigfoot-like creature known as the “Skunk Ape” is often reported. It supposedly smells terrible, hence the name.
- Yeti (Asia): Across the world, there are similar legends of giant ape-like creatures. The Yeti, or “Abominable Snowman,” is said to roam the Himalayas. Like Bigfoot, sightings of the Yeti have been reported for centuries.
- Bigfoot in Pop Culture: The Bigfoot phenomenon exploded in pop culture in the 1970s and 80s, with Bigfoot appearing in movies, TV shows, and even as a star in commercials.
Sources:
- Coleman, Loren. Bigfoot! The True Story of Apes in America. Paraview Pocket Books, 2003.
- Daegling, David J. Bigfoot Exposed: An Anthropologist Examines America’s Enduring Legend. Altamira Press, 2004.
- Meldrum, Jeffrey. Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science. Forge Books, 2006.
- Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO): www.bfro.net