Momo the Monster, also known as the Missouri Monster (Momo), is a purported ape-like creature, similar to descriptions of Bigfoot, that was allegedly sighted by numerous people in rural Louisiana, Missouri in 1971 and 1972.[1] Unlike some other areas with similar reports of cryptids such as the Fouke Monster in Fouke, Arkansas or the Mothman in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, Momo did not become a major tourist or economic folklore attraction.[2]
| Folklore | Cryptid |
|---|---|
| First attested | 1971 |
| Other name(s) | Momo, Momo the Missouri Monster |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Missouri, Illinois |
Description
editAlleged witnesses describe the creature as a large, bipedal humanoid, with a pumpkin sized head, about 7 ft (2.1 m) tall, covered in dark hair that emits a putrid odor.[3]
History
editThe most well known alleged sighting occurred on July 11, 1972, when two young boys were playing in the backyard on the rural outskirts of Louisiana, Missouri. Their older sister, Doris, was in the kitchen when she heard her brother's screaming. When she looked out of the window, she observed a massive, dark haired, man-like creature holding what appeared to be a deceased dog. She described it as having a "pumpkin-shaped head", and large glowing orange eyes.[4]
Many alleged sightings occurred that year, most notably was local fire department chief and member of the city council, Richard Allan Murray, who reported driving along a creek bed when he saw a massive upright creature in his vehicle's headlights. As a result of these reported encounters, a 20 person posse was formed to hunt the creature but nothing was ever found.[5]
In 2019, a docudrama horror film entitled Momo: The Missouri Monster, was released and features a dramatization of the events of 1972. The film's cast includes Cliff Barackman and James "Bobo" Fay, best known for their appearances as Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) members on the Animal Planet series Finding Bigfoot.[6]
American theme park Six Flags St. Louis had a ride that operated from 1973 until 1994 named after the creature.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Blackburn, Lyle (February 2019). "Momo: The Strange Case of the Missouri Monster". www.lyleblackburn.com. LegendScape Publishing. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ Banias, MJ (30 September 2019). "The Missouri Monster 'Momo' Is the Cryptid Time Forgot". Vice (magazine). Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Coleman, Loren (2000). "Momo". missourifolkloresociety.truman.edu. Missouri Folklore Society. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ McFadden, Norm (29 July 2020). "Lincoln County Urban Legend: Momo Monster". Lincoln Country Journal. Lincoln News Now!. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Weiser-Alexander, Kathy (February 2020). "Momo – The Missouri Monster". legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ "Momo: The Missouri Monster (2019)". imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ Schremp Hahn, Valerie (1 April 2019). "Jet Scream, MoMo the Monster, Mule-Go-Round and more: Six Flags attractions of yore". stltoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
Bibliography
edit- Blackburn, Lyle (2019). The Strange Case of the Missouri Monster. LegendScape Publishing. ISBN 978-1734920635.
- Crowe, Richard (December 1972). Monster in Missouri. Clark Publishing Company. pp. 58–66.
- Moran, Mark & Scheurman, Mark (2004). Weird U.S.. Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 0-7607-5043-2.
- Place, Marian (1978). Bigfoot All Over the Country. Dodd, Mead. pp. 130–32. ISBN 0-396-07610-6.
- Zullo, Allan (1997). The Ten Creepiest Creatures In America. Troll Publishing. ISBN 0-8167-4288-X.