One of Maryland’s most famous cryptids is the Goatman, a terrifying half-man, half-goat creature said to roam the woods near Bowie, in Prince George’s County. According to local legend, this axe-wielding monster jumps out of the forest to scare, chase, and sometimes even attack people.
Descriptions vary a bit, but most agree the Goatman walks upright like a human, has the hairy legs and hooves of a goat, and either a human-like or fully goat-like head with horns, beard, and all. And let’s not forget his weapon of choice: a rusty axe.
The most well-known origin story claims the Goatman was once a scientist working at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center just outside of Bowie. Supposedly, he was doing experiments on goats when something went horribly wrong. Some say he was trying to create a human-goat hybrid through genetic engineering. Others think he was testing goat feed that caused strange side effects. Either way, the story ends the same. The scientist transformed into a terrifying creature and fled into the woods.
Sightings of the Goatman really took off in the 1970s. Locals reported seeing a big, hairy creature walking on two legs and it seemed to hate teenagers and cars.
One of the most famous incidents happened in 1971, when a group of teens said they were attacked while parked at a secluded “lovers’ lane.” They claimed the Goatman burst from the woods swinging an axe and screaming. They drove off unharmed, but their car had deep gashes in the metal like something had chopped at it with a blade.
Throughout the ’70s, reports like these popped up regularly. Another notable one took place in November 1971 near Flerchertown road in Bowie. A dog belonging to April Edwards disappeared after she and her friends heard strange noises coming from outside her house. A few days later the dog was found with its head missing.
While investigating the area, Ray and John Hayden reported seeing a hairy bipedal creature around 6 feet tall with horns, and goat-like legs let out a high-pitched squeal before fleeing into the nearby woods.
He wasn’t just spotted in the woods either. There were reports of the Goatman walking through residential neighborhoods including downtown Bowie late at night, glowing red eyes and all.
Whether the Goatman was an actual creature or just the result of overactive imaginations, he definitely left a mark on the community.
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Source: https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/cryptids/maryland-cryptids
