Introduction
Creature of Arkansas folklore In Arkansas folklore, the Fouke Monster '/f//aʊ//k/, also known as the Boggy Creek Monster and the Swamp Stalker, is purported to be an ape like creature, similar to descriptions of Bigfoot, that was allegedly sighted in the rural town of Fouke, Arkansas during the early .Creature of Arkansas folklore In Arkansas folklore, the Fouke Monster '/f//aʊ//k/, also known as the Boggy Creek Monster and the Swamp Stalker, is purported to be an ape like creature, similar to descriptions of Bigfoot, that was allegedly sighted in the rural town of Fouke, Arkansas during the early .
The creature was alleged to have attacked a local .The creature was alleged to have attacked a local .
It has since become a part of Arkansas .It has since become a part of Arkansas .
It has also influenced local culture in Fouke, with some businesses capitalizing on the local .It has also influenced local culture in Fouke, with some businesses capitalizing on the local .
Stories of the creature influenced the 1972 docudrama horror film The Legend of Boggy Creek, which became the 11th highest grossing film of 1972 and is today considered to be a cult .Stories of the creature influenced the 1972 docudrama horror film The Legend of Boggy Creek, which became the 11th highest grossing film of 1972 and is today considered to be a cult .
The creature was named by journalist Jim Powell, who reported on it for the Texarkana Gazette and the Texarkana Daily .The creature was named by journalist Jim Powell, who reported on it for the Texarkana Gazette and the Texarkana Daily .
Description
Various reports between 1971 and 1974 described it as being a large, bipedal creature covered in long dark .Various reports between 1971 and 1974 described it as being a large, bipedal creature covered in long dark .
It was estimated to be about 7 feet (2 m) tall with a weight of Later reports claimed that it was far larger, with one witness describing it as 10 feet (3 m) tall, with an estimated weight of Some accounts describe the Fouke Monster as running swiftly with a galloping gait and swinging its arms in a fashion similar to a .It was estimated to be about 7 feet (2 m) tall with a weight of Later reports claimed that it was far larger, with one witness describing it as 10 feet (3 m) tall, with an estimated weight of Some accounts describe the Fouke Monster as running swiftly with a galloping gait and swinging its arms in a fashion similar to a .
A variety of tracks and claw marks have been discovered which are claimed to belong to the .A variety of tracks and claw marks have been discovered which are claimed to belong to the .
One set of foot prints reportedly measured in length and wide, while another appeared to show feet that only possessed three .One set of foot prints reportedly measured in length and wide, while another appeared to show feet that only possessed three .
but those sightings had not been .but those sightings had not been .
Local folklore also holds that the creature can be further traced back to sightings in .Local folklore also holds that the creature can be further traced back to sightings in .
Most early sightings were allegedly in the region of Jonesville as the creature was known as the "Jonesville Monster" during this .Most early sightings were allegedly in the region of Jonesville as the creature was known as the "Jonesville Monster" during this .
In 1955, the creature was allegedly spotted by a 14 year old boy who described it as having reddish brown hair, sniffing the air, and not reacting when it was fired upon with .In 1955, the creature was allegedly spotted by a 14 year old boy who described it as having reddish brown hair, sniffing the air, and not reacting when it was fired upon with .
Investigator Joe Nickell observed that the description was consistent with a misidentified black bear (Ursus ).Investigator Joe Nickell observed that the description was consistent with a misidentified black bear (Ursus ).
1970s
The Fouke Monster first made local headlines in 1971, when it was reported to have attacked the home of Bobby and Elizabeth Ford on May 2, .The Fouke Monster first made local headlines in 1971, when it was reported to have attacked the home of Bobby and Elizabeth Ford on May 2, .
According to Elizabeth Ford, the creature, which she initially thought was a bear, reached through a screen window that night while she was sleeping on a .According to Elizabeth Ford, the creature, which she initially thought was a bear, reached through a screen window that night while she was sleeping on a .
It was chased away by her husband and his brother .It was chased away by her husband and his brother .
During the alleged encounter, the Fords fired several gun shots at the creature and believed that they had hit it, though no traces of blood were .During the alleged encounter, the Fords fired several gun shots at the creature and believed that they had hit it, though no traces of blood were .
An extensive search of the area failed to locate the creature, but three toed footprints were found close to the house, as well as scratch marks on the porch and damage to a window and the house's .An extensive search of the area failed to locate the creature, but three toed footprints were found close to the house, as well as scratch marks on the porch and damage to a window and the house's .
According to the Fords, they had heard something moving around outside late at night several nights prior but, having lived in the house for less than a week, had never encountered the creature .According to the Fords, they had heard something moving around outside late at night several nights prior but, having lived in the house for less than a week, had never encountered the creature .
More sightings reports were made over the following months by local residents and tourists, who found additional .More sightings reports were made over the following months by local residents and tourists, who found additional .
The best known footprints were found in a soybean field belonging to local filling station owner Scott .The best known footprints were found in a soybean field belonging to local filling station owner Scott .
They were scrutinized by game warden Carl Galyon, who was unable to confirm their .They were scrutinized by game warden Carl Galyon, who was unable to confirm their .
The incident began to attract substantial interest after news spread about the Ford .The incident began to attract substantial interest after news spread about the Ford .
The Little Rock, Arkansas, radio station KAAY posted a $1,090 bounty on the .The Little Rock, Arkansas, radio station KAAY posted a $1,090 bounty on the .
There were forty reported sightings in 1997 and, in 1998, the creature was reportedly sighted in a dry creek bed 5 mile (8 km) south of .There were forty reported sightings in 1997 and, in 1998, the creature was reportedly sighted in a dry creek bed 5 mile (8 km) south of .
Investigation
One month after the Ford sighting, Southern State College (now known as Southern Arkansas University) archaeologist Frank Schambach determined that "There is a 99 percent chance the tracks are a ."One month after the Ford sighting, Southern State College (now known as Southern Arkansas University) archaeologist Frank Schambach determined that "There is a 99 percent chance the tracks are a ."
According to Schambach, the tracks could not be from a species of ape, as claimed by witnesses, because they were from a three toed creature, whereas all primates, including hominids, have five .According to Schambach, the tracks could not be from a species of ape, as claimed by witnesses, because they were from a three toed creature, whereas all primates, including hominids, have five .
In addition to the number of toes, Schambach cited several other anomalies as part of his conclusion: the region had no history of primate activity, ruling out the possibility of the creature being the remnants of an indigenous species; all apes are completely diurnal, as the Fouke Monster was reported to be .In addition to the number of toes, Schambach cited several other anomalies as part of his conclusion: the region had no history of primate activity, ruling out the possibility of the creature being the remnants of an indigenous species; all apes are completely diurnal, as the Fouke Monster was reported to be .
The Skeptoid podcast concludes "So in total, every last shred of evidence that the Fouke Monster exists at all is .The Skeptoid podcast concludes "So in total, every last shred of evidence that the Fouke Monster exists at all is .
Not a single piece is .Not a single piece is .
The Fouke Monster fits very poorly with the model of a living animal, but fits very well with a local ."The Fouke Monster fits very poorly with the model of a living animal, but fits very well with a local ."
Festival
Since 2013, the Fouke Monster Festival, previously called the Boggy Creek Festival, has been an annual event dedicated to discussions, presentations, and lore related to the creature and other similar .Since 2013, the Fouke Monster Festival, previously called the Boggy Creek Festival, has been an annual event dedicated to discussions, presentations, and lore related to the creature and other similar .
Proceeds benefit the Fouke School District, with over $3,000 having been raised in .Proceeds benefit the Fouke School District, with over $3,000 having been raised in .
The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)
The story of Bobby Ford's encounter with the Fouke Monster was the subject of a 1972, docudrama horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek which played in movie and drive in theaters around the .The story of Bobby Ford's encounter with the Fouke Monster was the subject of a 1972, docudrama horror film, The Legend of Boggy Creek which played in movie and drive in theaters around the .
It was written by Earl E. Smith and directed by Charles .It was written by Earl E. Smith and directed by Charles .
.
The part of Bobby Ford was played by Glenn Carruth and the part of Elizabeth Ford was played by Bunny .The part of Bobby Ford was played by Glenn Carruth and the part of Elizabeth Ford was played by Bunny .
Fouke Garage owner Willie E. Smith, on whose land three toed footprints were found, starred as .Fouke Garage owner Willie E. Smith, on whose land three toed footprints were found, starred as .
Many characters were named after the people who played .Many characters were named after the people who played .
Much of the film was shot on location in Fouke and nearby Texarkana, though some scenes also were filmed in Shreveport, .Much of the film was shot on location in Fouke and nearby Texarkana, though some scenes also were filmed in Shreveport, .
Most of the cast were local people or Texarkana college .Most of the cast were local people or Texarkana college .
The film is believed to have cost $160,000 to .The film is believed to have cost $160,000 to .
It grossed $20 million at the box .It grossed $20 million at the box .
Return to Boggy Creek (1977)
A second Fouke Monster film, Return to Boggy Creek, was filmed and released in .A second Fouke Monster film, Return to Boggy Creek, was filmed and released in .
The movie had an entirely fictional plot and was not intended to be a .The movie had an entirely fictional plot and was not intended to be a .
It was directed by Tom Moore, written by John David Woody, and starred Dawn Wells as the mother of three children who become lost in the .It was directed by Tom Moore, written by John David Woody, and starred Dawn Wells as the mother of three children who become lost in the .
Some of the film's scenes were shot on location in Dallas, Texas, and Loreauville and Iberia Parish, .Some of the film's scenes were shot on location in Dallas, Texas, and Loreauville and Iberia Parish, .
The film was shot on location in The film was shot on location in
Boggy Creek: The Legend Is True (2010)
Boggy Creek: The Legend Is True was released to home video in .Boggy Creek: The Legend Is True was released to home video in .
Early buzz suggested that the film, directed by Brian T. Jaynes, was to be a remake of Charles .Early buzz suggested that the film, directed by Brian T. Jaynes, was to be a remake of Charles .
Pierce's original 1972 .
However, it is an unrelated story set in the fictional town of Boggy Creek, .However, it is an unrelated story set in the fictional town of Boggy Creek, .
Even so, the film obviously draws influence from Pierce's film with its small town setting and use of spooky swampscapes for this Southern Sasquatch horror .Even so, the film obviously draws influence from Pierce's film with its small town setting and use of spooky swampscapes for this Southern Sasquatch horror .
The Legacy of Boggy Creek (2011)
This low budget indie film was originally released in 2009 under the title The Skunkape Story, but was later re edited and released to home video in 2011 as The Legacy of Boggy .This low budget indie film was originally released in 2009 under the title The Skunkape Story, but was later re edited and released to home video in 2011 as The Legacy of Boggy .
The docudrama chronicles the events that began after the original attacks in .The docudrama chronicles the events that began after the original attacks in .
It was written and directed by Dustin .It was written and directed by Dustin .
Boggy Creek Monster (2016)
In 2016, a documentary film about the Fouke Monster entitled Boggy Creek Monster was .In 2016, a documentary film about the Fouke Monster entitled Boggy Creek Monster was .
Directed by Seth Breedlove, who co produced the film with Lyle Blackburn under the banner of Breedlove's production company Small Town Monsters, it was filmed in Fouke and features accounts from claimed eyewitnesses of the purported .Directed by Seth Breedlove, who co produced the film with Lyle Blackburn under the banner of Breedlove's production company Small Town Monsters, it was filmed in Fouke and features accounts from claimed eyewitnesses of the purported .