By Karen Rice • Official Kids Mag
Down along the Sulphur River creek beds near Fouke,
Arkansas, legend has it that there lives a strange beast. Folks
have reported sightings the "Fouke Monster" or "Boggy Creek
Monster" for more than 100 years in this southwestern Arkansas
town.
Like a southern version of Big Foot or Sasquatch, the monster has
been described as seven feet tall, walking upright like a large man,
and covered with hair. Some have reported that it has a smelly,
animal odor.
The beast is reported to have killed chicken, cattle, dogs and
livestock in the Ozark backcountry but has never harmed a human.
It was first sighted in the 1840s and there have been sightings and
encounters by hunters, citizens and even a police officer throughout
the years.
In 1973 they even made a movie about the monster called "The
Legend of Boggy Creek."
Frightening encounters with the beast are still being reported
today. 1997 was a big "Boggy Creek" year, with more than 40
sightings! And in 1998, there was a sighting of the monster along a
dry creek bed about 5 miles south of town.
The Fouke Monster was allegedly last seen near the junction of
the Sulphur and Red Rivers. The creek is marked by a small plaque
on the bridge just south of town.
Is the monster a legend or reality? No one knows for sure. If you
visit Fouke and don't see the monster, you can always stop by the
"Monster Mart" convenience store on Highway 71 in town and see
a display of historic Boggy Creek Monster items and maybe get a
Fouke Monster t-shirt or souvenir.
"If you're ever driving down
in our country along about
sundown, keep an eye on the
dark woods...."
-narrator, the Legend of Boggy Creek
16 • Off icialKidsMag.com • OC TOBER 2019
A spooky local legend
Beware the Boggy Creek Monster!
