The top five monsters from the West Virginia hills

No. 5: The Grafton Monster

“Formerly a railroad boomtown, Grafton, West Virginia, today seems somewhat an anomaly — a village of big-city architecture locked in a territory of small farms and dense woodlands. Through these woodlands prowls a monster, some say. The legend of the Grafton Monster has endured since the 1960s, when sightings were at their peak. The manlike beast is said to be akin to a Bigfoot or Skunk Ape. According to the book “Monsters of West Virginia,” eyewitnesses have estimated that it stands between seven- and nine-feet tall and is cloaked in pale skin that is slick like that of a seal.

“Some also say it is headless, though recordings on night-vision equipment seem to show otherwise. Hazy images captured during an instance of spooked cattle and detailed in the television show “Mountain Monsters” reveal a very tall creature moving quickly through the treeline. What others might have mistaken for a headless creature appears more like a skulking monster, its head tucked close to its chest. Some say it lets out a low whistle as it stalks its prey. As the creature is thought to be a meat eater, you best be on your way!”

Author Biography: A former police reporter, author Ted Fauster writes science fantasy adventure, a hybrid blend of scifi and fantasy. He is the author the Supernatural Survival Guide.

Click Box 6 below for a map of monstrous West Virginia locations.