According to folklore, Orange Eyes is a massive, humanoid creature standing between 10 and 12 feet tall. Witnesses describe it as having bright, glowing orange eyes and a body covered in dark, shaggy hair—similar to Bigfoot. The creature is said to roam the woods near Milan, Ohio, and the area around Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland. This is near The Charles Mill Lake area home of another monster.
The first recorded sighting of Orange Eyes in Ohio dates back to the night of March 28, 1959, when two terrified teenagers claimed to have encountered the monstrous creature at Lover’s Lane, a secluded spot known for being a popular hangout among young couples.
According to their account, as they sat in their car beneath the eerie glow of the moon, a sudden chill filled the air, and an unsettling silence fell over the wooded area around them. Without warning, a massive, shadowy figure emerged from the thick, rolling mist that crept along the ground. Towering over their vehicle, the creature was described as a hulking, ape-like beast covered in coarse, dark fur, its most striking feature being its piercing, glowing orange eyes that burned like embers in the darkness.
As the teenagers watched in frozen horror, the beast let out a low, guttural growl, shaking the night air with an unnatural intensity. Then, in a sudden burst of movement, it lunged toward the car, clawing at the windows and rocking the vehicle with its immense strength. Panicked, the driver fumbled with the keys, finally managing to start the car just as the creature’s massive form loomed inches away. Tires screeching, the pair sped away, leaving behind the monstrous figure standing in the swirling mist, its glowing eyes watching them disappear into the night.
The teenagers reported the encounter to authorities, but by the time anyone arrived to investigate, there was no sign of the creature—only disturbed earth and a lingering sense of dread. Despite skepticism from local law enforcement, their chilling story spread quickly, marking the beginning of the enduring legend of Orange Eyes in Ohio.
The next documented sighting of Orange Eyes took place in 1963. Witnesses reported seeing a towering creature, estimated to be around 11 feet tall and weighing approximately 1,000 pounds.
Terrified by its presence, locals quickly armed themselves and formed a posse with the intent of eliminating the massive beast. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful.
The origins of Orange Eyes remain a mystery, but some believe it was once a peaceful, reclusive creature that resided in a tunnel beneath Cleveland’s Riverside Cemetery. According to this theory, the creature’s sanctuary was destroyed by a highway construction project in the late 1940s, forcing it to relocate to the wooded area near Mill Lake. There, it encountered humans more frequently, and its demeanor reportedly became more aggressive.
Another encounter with Orange Eyes was recorded on April 22, 1968, when a group of children unexpectedly came across the creature.
The last known sighting occurred in June 1991, when two anglers fishing near Willis Creek reportedly saw the mysterious being.
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Source: https://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/2012/09/orange-eyes-and-charles-mill-lake.html
