Bigfoot

Humboldt County has hosted some interesting characters through its history: writers, actors, adventurers and even a future American president. But unquestionably the most notorious, real or not, is Bigfoot.

            The name, Bigfoot, was coined by the Times Standard newspaper in the late 1950s responding to several reported sightings of really big footprints in the back woods. Well before then, however, stories of large hairy humanoids were part of local Native American lore and reports from early settlers.

            But the legendary creature is not exclusively a Humboldter. Sasquatch is what he’s called north of us. Stories of similar creatures come from the Rocky Mountains and even the east coast. The Abominable Snowman, Yeti, or Amas are among the names he’s known by in the Himalayas and central Asia.

            The surge in Humboldt’s interest in this elusive creature came in the 1950s when those reports of huge footprints found along logging roads made the press. Plaster casts were taken that were over 16 inches long and showed a five-foot stride. Scientists agreed that these were not bear prints and that the lack of an arch showed that these feet had never known shoes. Reports of the creature’s distinctive musky odor and whistling howl came in as well.

            Interest flared with more reported footprints and brief sightings. Expeditions set out, some for scientific purposes and some for hunting. Debates raged about whether Bigfoot deserved endangered species status and if shooting one should be considered homicide. Several hoaxes were undoubtably perpetrated, but these were countered by sincere accounts.

            Things culminated in the Fall of 1967 when Bigfoot searcher, Roger Patterson, captured on 16-millimeter film the image of a female Bigfoot striding along the banks of Bluff Creek, north of Weitchpec. This gives us the iconic image of a tall, wide, hairy humanoid with long arms and simian features.

            One area of our county that certainly owes a debt of gratitude to its Bigfoot neighbor is Willow Creek. In 1999, Willow Creek’s small museum opened a wing dedicated to Bigfoot. It was initially to house the collection of Bigfoot investigator, Bob Titmus who had spent 40 years searching for the illusive creature.

            Since then, the collection and Bigfoot’s fame have grown. Willow Creek’s annual Bigfoot Daze have celebrated the creature with well-attended parades, theater, dances and food. Bigfoot’s image adorns, statues, murals, and shop fronts while appearing on souvenir T-shirts, refrigerator magnets and shot glasses. Living in the wilderness, Bigfoot may not need a financial cut from all this, but certainly deserves it.

            At the Humboldt County Historical Society, we also have information files and many books for those doing research on the subject. Because, fact or fiction, Bigfoot is part of our history.