🧂 The Bear Lake Monster Hoax (Utah, 1860s)
🐉 A Frontier Folktale With Bite
In the 1860s, Utah’s Bear Lake region became the subject of a chilling and cheeky creature feature — courtesy of a man named Joseph C. Rich. Writing for the Deseret News, Rich described a horrifying lake monster that lurked beneath the waves of Bear Lake. The monster supposedly emerged to terrify settlers and snack on livestock. The creature was said to be long, fast, scaly, and absolutely made up.
Cue the panic — and the laughter. 😂
📜 The Story Spreads
According to Rich’s article, multiple sightings were reported by reliable locals who claimed they saw the creature speeding through the water. Some described it as serpent-like. Others thought it resembled a giant otter or crocodile. One account even claimed it moved faster than a galloping horse. 🐎 As a result, the story caught fire — even Brigham Young reportedly showed interest in investigating the claims. 🔥
Settlers began scanning the shoreline. Church leaders sent inquiries. Newspapers across the West reprinted the tale. Some even suggested organizing a monster-hunting party. 🎣 Others began to avoid the water altogether. The excitement and confusion lasted for weeks.
Bear Lake, already a stunning part of the landscape on the Utah-Idaho border, now had something few lakes could boast. It had a cryptid with local character and frontier flair. 🛶
🗞️ The Real Joke
Eventually, Rich admitted what many had long suspected. He openly confessed that he had invented the entire thing — a piece of creative frontier storytelling designed to entertain readers and stir the pot. In a follow-up, he wrote that he had invented the tale to generate interest and spark the imagination of locals. 🧠
However, by that time, the legend had already taken on a life of its own. The Bear Lake Monster survived the confession and became even more legendary. Instead, it entered Utah legend. Locals continued to report occasional “sightings” well into the 20th century. 👀 Meanwhile, children eagerly shared stories around campfires. 🔥 Tourists asked about it. Moreover, businesses eagerly leaned into the myth for fun and tourism.
One local newspaper once joked that the monster was a registered voter. 🗳️ Another claimed it preferred raspberry milkshakes from a local diner. Everyone was in on the joke — and that made it all the better.
😄 How the Hoax Made History (and Still Gets Laughs)
The hoax worked because it had all the right ingredients. It featured an isolated setting, multiple “eyewitnesses,” and just enough mystery to make people wonder. It cleverly tapped into the widespread appetite for tall tales, which were especially popular on the frontier. Perhaps it also fueled the hope that the frontier still held unknown beasts. 🐲
In addition, this tale shows how quickly sensational claims spread when readers trust the source. It’s a reminder that media literacy has always mattered. Thankfully, no one got hurt during the birth or spread of this myth. As a result, everyone had a good laugh and the myth lived on. To this day, the Bear Lake Monster holds legendary status in Utah — all thanks to one reporter’s vivid imagination. ✍️
📍 Filed Under: Utah
Utah’s Bear Lake Monster is one of its most charming pranks — proof that even hoaxes can make history. It’s a story about curiosity, community, and how quickly myths can take on a life of their own. 💫
If you’re planning a trip, be sure to pack your binoculars, just in case. And maybe a fishing net. 🐍
