Indiana is known for many things: vast farmlands, beautiful state parks, basketball, the Indianapolis 500 and Hoosier hospitality. What is not as well-known, however, are the mysterious creatures that are said to inhabit the state.
Over the decades, there have been stories of strange lake and river monsters. Large, hairy creatures have been spotted roaming around farms, corn fields and wooded forests. Eyewitnesses have even claimed to have encountered bizarre aerial entities, diminutive human-like figures and enormous horned serpents.
In a new book, “Indiana Cryptids: Mysterious Monsters in the Hoosier State,” researched and written Les O’Dell and Mark A. Randall the duo share 20 of these bewildering beasties through rich, informative text and eye-catching illustrations penned by Randall.
The co-contributors consider this 47-page soft cover book an essential item to pack for your next road trip around the great Hoosier state. As you will soon discover, there is indeed more than corn in Indiana.
Cryptids featured in the book are the Beast of Busco, Boonville Monster, Bremen Bridge Troll, Cable Line Monster, Crawfordsville Monster, Crosley Creature, Ghoul Snake, Goat Man of Centenary, Green-Clawed Monster, Meshekenabek, Mill Race Monster, Mud Mermaids, Mysterious Cats, Oil Pit Squids, Puk-Wud-Jies, Roachdale Monster, Spectral Hounds, Thunderbirds, Werewolves and White River Monster.
The Crawfordsville Monster entry recounts a strange phenomenon that occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, 1891. Two men claimed to have seen a strange apparition in the sky. They described a white headless monster, 18 feet long and eight feet wide. The creature circled above nearby homes before disappearing, only to return shortly after emitting a wheezing and moaning sound that sent the men fleeing. A local pastor also claimed to have observed the beast from his window after being awakened by its whaling.
Some say it was seen the next night. Skeptics say it was a flock of birds.
Randall’s has published six books, designed 32 book covers and created more than 300 images of artwork for film. His other accomplishments include creating artwork for marketing and package design, trading cards and websites.
Randall resides in Fishers with wife July. They enjoy going on travel adventures, visiting interesting towns and sites around the state and hiking in the Indiana state parks.
The book is $12.49 and available for purchase on Amazon or at the Nickel Plate Arts and Noblemade, both in Noblesville. The book also is for sale at the Indiana State Fair. It will be sold in the DNR State Fair store (located inside the Indiana Department of Natural Resources building).
