The Flatwoods Monster — Deep Dive

📸 Photo Gallery

Ten images — 3D and SVG illustrations of the monster, the Flatwoods Monster visitor chair and town sign, Braxton County Courthouse, maps of Braxton County and the town of Flatwoods, West Virginia landscapes, and the first edition cover of Gray Barker's 1956 book that introduced the Men in Black. Click any photo to view full size.

Flatwoods Monster (3D model illustration)

A 3D model depicting the monster's appearance, with a diagram for scaling purposes showing it at approximately 10 feet tall.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain / CC · Commons page

🔍 Click to enlarge

Flatwoods Monster (SVG illustration)

Vector illustration of the Flatwoods Monster, showing the spade-shaped head, glowing eyes, and pleated body.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 · Commons page

Flatwoods Monster Visitor Chair

The Flatwoods Monster chair that welcomes visitors near the town hall of Flatwoods, West Virginia. One of five large monster-shaped chairs erected around Braxton County.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA · Commons page

Flatwoods, West Virginia (town sign and monster chair)

Image of sign and Flatwoods Monster chair by town hall of Flatwoods, West Virginia.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA · Commons page

Braxton County Courthouse, West Virginia

The Braxton County Courthouse in Sutton, West Virginia — the county seat where the Flatwoods Monster Museum is located.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC · Commons page

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Map of West Virginia highlighting Braxton County

Map of West Virginia with Braxton County highlighted, showing the location of the Flatwoods Monster incident.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Commons page

🔍 Click to enlarge

Flatwoods highlighted in Braxton County

Map showing the town of Flatwoods highlighted within Braxton County, West Virginia.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Commons page

West Virginia Landscape

A landscape image of West Virginia, representative of the terrain around Flatwoods and Braxton County.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain / CC · Commons page

Autumn Mountains, West Virginia

Autumn mountain landscape in West Virginia, showing the forested hills characteristic of Braxton County where the sighting occurred.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons page

They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers (first edition cover)

First edition cover of Gray Barker's 1956 book, the first to cover the Flatwoods Monster incident and the first to introduce the Men in Black concept.

📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (book cover) · Commons page

📖 The Full Story

The evening of September 12, 1952, when a group of boys, a mother, and a National Guardsman encountered something terrifying on a West Virginia hillside — an event that became one of the most famous close encounters in American history.

On the evening of September 12, 1952, brothers Edward and Fred May, along with friends Tommy Hyer, Neil Nunley, and Ronnie Shaver, were playing on the lawn of Flatwoods Elementary School in the small town of Flatwoods, Braxton County, West Virginia. At about 7:15 PM, they saw a bright light streak across the sky and apparently crash into the hillside on G. Bailey Fisher's farm, above the school. The boys ran to tell Kathleen May, mother of Edward and Fred.

Kathleen May, a 28-year-old beautician, did not dismiss the boys' story. She called on her cousin, 17-year-old Eugene Lemon, a West Virginia National Guardsman, to help investigate. Lemon brought a flashlight and the May family dog, Richie. The group of seven — May, Lemon, and five boys aged 10 to 13 — set out up the hillside toward the Fisher farm.

As they climbed, the dog ran ahead and suddenly stopped, barking frantically. When the group reached the hilltop, they saw a pulsing red light through the trees. Lemon shined his flashlight in the direction of the light. What he saw made him scream: a towering creature, approximately 10 feet tall, with a spade-shaped head — described as like the ace of spades — a round, blood-red face surrounded by a large pointed hood, and eye-like shapes emitting a greenish-orange glow. Its body was dark, with clothing-like folds that resembled a dark metal dress or pleated skirt. It had small, claw-like hands extended in front of it.

The creature made a hissing sound and appeared to float or glide toward the group. A strange, sickening mist hung in the air, accompanied by a pungent, metallic odor. Lemon screamed, dropped his flashlight, and the entire group fled in terror down the hillside. The dog, Richie, reportedly ran away in panic.

That night and for days afterward, several members of the group fell ill. Eugene Lemon suffered the most severe symptoms — convulsions and vomiting throughout the night. Six of seven witnesses were reportedly vomiting, with red eyes and swollen throats. The symptoms were variously attributed to hysteria, over-exertion, or exposure to some kind of irritant gas.

The local sheriff and a deputy searched the site but found nothing — they saw, heard, and smelled nothing unusual. However, the next day, Braxton Democrat reporter A. Lee Stewart Jr. visited the site and claimed to have discovered skid marks and an odd gummy deposit, which UFO enthusiasts attributed to a saucer landing. The story was picked up by national press services, radio networks, and newspapers across the country. National press services rated the story No. 11 for the year 1952.

UFO researcher Gray Barker arrived in Flatwoods shortly after, conducting tape-recorded interviews with the witnesses. His 1953 article in Fate Magazine was the first detailed published account. His 1956 book, "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers," introduced the world to the Men in Black concept and made the Flatwoods Monster a permanent fixture of American folklore. The U.S. Air Force investigated the incident as part of Project Blue Book, concluding the bright light was a meteor and the creature was likely an owl. Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell later concluded the creature was a barn owl perched on a tree limb, the pulsing red light was an aircraft beacon, and the illness was psychosomatic.

But for the witnesses — mostly children who saw something that terrified them on a dark West Virginia hillside — the experience was real and life-changing. The Flatwoods Monster became one of the most enduring cryptid legends in American history, inspiring books, documentaries, a museum, an annual festival, video games, TV shows, and manga. The town of Flatwoods, population under 500, became permanently linked to the monster — and has embraced it ever since.

Sources: Wikipedia — Flatwoods monster; Snopes — What Was the Flatwoods Monster?; Skeptical Inquirer — Joe Nickell investigation (November 2000); e-WV: West Virginia Encyclopedia — Flatwoods Monster; Braxton County Convention & Visitors Bureau (braxtonwv.org); Gray Barker — They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers (1956); Frank C. Feschino Jr. — The Braxton County Monster (2004/2012); Project Blue Book files; National Archives; Small Town Monsters — The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear (2018); Fallout Wiki / Fandom

⏱️ Timeline

From Audra Harper's earlier sighting near Heaters, through the September 12, 1952 encounter, the national media explosion, Gray Barker's investigation, the Air Force's conclusion, Barker's Men in Black book, the annual festival, and the Dandadan anime — the complete chronology of the Flatwoods Monster.

Before September 12, 1952

Audra Harper sighting near Heaters. Audra Harper reported seeing a ball of fire on a hillside near Heaters (5 miles north of Flatwoods) that was replaced by a tall, dark, man-shaped silhouette.

September 12, 1952 ~7:15 PM

The sighting begins. Brothers Edward and Fred May, along with friends Tommy Hyer and Neil Nunley, were playing on the lawn of Flatwoods Elementary School when they saw a bright light streak across the sky and appear to crash into the hillside on G. Bailey Fisher's farm.

September 12, 1952 ~7:30 PM

The group assembles and approaches the site. The boys told their mother, Kathleen May. She called on 17-year-old National Guardsman Eugene Lemon and the family dog, Richie. The group of seven proceeded to the Fisher farm.

September 12, 1952 ~7:45 PM

The creature encounter. Upon reaching the hilltop, the group saw a pulsing red light. Lemon shined his flashlight and saw a 10-foot-tall creature with a spade-shaped head, glowing orange eyes, and a dark metallic dress. The creature hissed and glided toward them. Lemon screamed and dropped the flashlight. The group fled in terror.

September 12, 1952 evening

Report to authorities and sheriff's investigation. May and Lemon reported the incident. The local sheriff and deputy searched the site but saw, heard, and smelled nothing.

September 12, 1952 — days following

Witnesses fall ill. Several members of the group suffered from throat irritation, vomiting, and nausea for days. Eugene Lemon experienced convulsions and vomiting throughout the night. Six of seven witnesses were reportedly vomiting with red eyes and swollen throats.

September 13, 1952

Reporter discovers physical evidence; Snitowsky sighting. A. Lee Stewart Jr. claimed to have discovered skid marks and an odd gummy deposit. The same day, George and Edith Snitowsky reported a creature encounter near Strange Creek, 20 miles south.

September–October 1952

National media coverage. Newspaper stories were carried throughout the country, radio broadcasts on large networks. National press services rated the story No. 11 for the year. A Pittsburgh newspaper sent a special reporter.

Fall 1952

Gray Barker begins investigation. UFO researcher Gray Barker visited Flatwoods, conducting tape-recorded interviews. Ivan T. Sanderson also visited. Barker's investigation sparked his career in UFO research.

1953

Gray Barker publishes Fate Magazine article. Barker published his first detailed account of the Flatwoods Monster in Fate Magazine, based on his tape-recorded interviews.

1954

Charleston Gazette retrospective article. James Haught published 'Martian or Mirage?' in the Charleston Gazette on October 31, 1954.

July 1955

Male Magazine publishes Snitowsky account. George Snitowsky's account of the Strange Creek creature sighting was published in Male Magazine.

April 1956

They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers published. Gray Barker's book was published by University Books. It covered the Flatwoods incident and introduced the Men in Black concept. Briefly made the best-seller lists.

1966

The Phantom of Flatwoods retrospective. Holt Byrne published a detailed retrospective in the Charleston Gazette Mail on March 6, 1966.

Late 1960s

Ceramic lanterns first produced. The Braxton County Junior Chamber of Commerce began producing ceramic monster lanterns as a fundraiser. Still in production today.

1975

Appalachian Ghost Stories published. James Gay Jones included the Flatwoods Monster in Appalachian Ghost Stories and Other Tales (McClain Printing Company).

2000

Joe Nickell's skeptical investigation. Joe Nickell of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry conducted an on-the-ground investigation. Concluded the light was a meteor, the pulsing red light was an aircraft beacon, and the creature was a barn owl. Published in Skeptical Inquirer, November 2000.

2002

50th anniversary community festival. Flatwoods celebrated the 50th anniversary with a community festival. Buddy Griffin published 'The Legend of the Flatwoods Monster' in Goldenseal Magazine.

2004

Feschino's book published. Frank C. Feschino Jr. published The Braxton County Monster: The Cover-Up of the Flatwoods Monster Revealed (Quarrier Press).

2012

Feschino's updated edition. Feschino published an updated and expanded edition with new documentation and additional witness information.

2018

Small Town Monsters documentary and Fallout 76. Small Town Monsters released The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear. Bethesda's Fallout 76 featured the Flatwoods Monster as an in-game cryptid, introducing it to millions of gamers.

2019

Project Blue Book TV series and annual convention begins. History Channel's Project Blue Book devoted its second episode to The Flatwoods Monster. Since 2019, Flatwoods has hosted an annual Flatwoods Monster Convention.

2021–2024

Dandadan anime/manga and continued pop culture. The Flatwoods Monster was featured in the popular Japanese manga and anime Dandadan (manga from 2021, anime 2024), introducing the legend to a global anime audience.

👁️ Key Witnesses

Eleven key figures — the seven members of the encounter group (Kathleen May, Eugene Lemon, and the five boys), the reporter who found physical evidence, the local boy whose truck tracks were mistaken for UFO evidence, a witness from a nearby sighting, and the Snitowsky family who encountered a similar creature the next day.

Kathleen May

Mother of Edward and Fred May; local beautician; the only adult woman in the group

Kathleen May was the mother of the May brothers who organized the expedition to the hillside. She described the creature as having small claw-like hands, clothing-like folds, and a head that resembled the ace of spades. Her description formed the basis for the famous sketch of the monster.

What they witnessed: The 10-foot-tall creature with a spade-shaped head, glowing eyes, and a metallic-looking body; the pulsing red light; the strange mist and metallic odor

Edward "Eddie" May

Kathleen May's son; one of the boys who first saw the light

Edward May was one of the brothers playing on the lawn of Flatwoods Elementary School when they saw the bright object streak across the sky.

What they witnessed: Bright light streaking across the sky, apparently landing on the Fisher farm hillside; the creature on the hilltop

Fred "Freddie" May

Kathleen May's son; Eddie's brother; one of the boys who first saw the light

Fred May was the other May brother present. His son, Chris May, later appeared in a documentary to share the family story.

What they witnessed: Bright light streaking across the sky; the creature encounter on the hilltop

Tommy Hyer

Friend of the May brothers

Tommy Hyer was a friend who was playing with the May brothers at Flatwoods Elementary School.

What they witnessed: The bright light crossing the sky; the creature on the hilltop

Neil "Neal" Nunley

Local child who joined the group

Neil Nunley accompanied the group to the Fisher farm. He was the one who reported seeing the pulsing red light when the group reached the top of the hill.

What they witnessed: The pulsing red light at the hilltop; the creature encounter

Eugene Lemon

Kathleen May's cousin; 17-year-old West Virginia National Guardsman

Eugene Lemon was a 17-year-old West Virginia National Guardsman who Kathleen May called upon. He brought a flashlight and the May family dog, Richie. Lemon shined his flashlight up the hill and was the first to clearly see the creature. When the creature hissed and moved toward the group, Lemon screamed and dropped his flashlight. Lemon reportedly suffered the most severe after-effects, including convulsions and vomiting throughout the night.

What they witnessed: The 10-foot-tall creature with a round, red face; the pulsing red light; the hissing sound; the strange mist; severe physical illness afterward

Ronnie Shaver

Local child who joined the group

Ronnie Shaver was another local child who accompanied the group.

What they witnessed: The creature encounter on the hilltop

A. Lee Stewart Jr.

Reporter for the Braxton Democrat newspaper

Stewart visited the site the next day and claimed to have discovered skid marks and an odd gummy deposit which were attributed to a saucer landing. His reporting launched the national story.

What they witnessed: Physical evidence at the site the following day — skid marks and a gummy deposit

Max Lockard

Local boy (not part of the original sighting group)

Max Lockard admitted to investigator Joe Nickell that he had driven his 1942 Chevy pickup truck around the site, which explained the skid marks and oily residue mistaken for UFO evidence.

What they witnessed: Nothing paranormal — but his truck tracks were mistaken for evidence

Audra Harper

Resident of Heaters, WV (about 5 miles north of Flatwoods)

Audra Harper reported a similar sighting not long before the September 12 incident. She saw a ball of fire on a hill that vanished and was replaced by the tall, dark silhouette of a man-shaped figure.

What they witnessed: A ball of fire on a hillside that was replaced by a tall, dark, man-shaped silhouette

George and Edith Snitowsky

Witnesses to a separate sighting near Strange Creek (20 miles south), the day after the main incident

The Flatwoods Monster encounter transformed a small West Virginia town and became a permanent part of American folklore. From the physical illness of the witnesses to the town's fame, Gray Barker's sensationalization, tourism, pop culture appearances in Fallout 76 and Dandadan, and the West Virginia folklore legacy — the impact was profound and lasting.

Physical illness of witnesses

Health Impact

Several witnesses reported illness for days: sore throats, nausea, vomiting, and convulsions. Eugene Lemon suffered the most severe symptoms including convulsions. Six of seven witnesses were reportedly vomiting with red eyes and swollen throats. The family dog was also affected. Symptoms were attributed to hysteria but some noted consistency with exposure to irritant gases.

Small town fame — positive and negative

Community Impact

The small town of Flatwoods (population under 500) became famous overnight. The national press descended on the community. Some witnesses were harassed or mocked. The town's identity became permanently linked to the monster.

Gray Barker's sensationalization

Media Impact

Barker made the case famous but also sensationalized it. He later became one of UFOlogy's most controversial figures, accused by colleague John Sherwood of embellishing facts and publishing fiction as fact. His role in creating the Men in Black mythology grew from the same era.

Tourist attraction and local economy

Economic Impact

The town now has the Flatwoods Monster Museum (in Sutton), five monster-shaped chairs around Braxton County, and an annual convention since 2019. The CVB actively promotes the legend. The museum offers free admission.

Harassment and mockery of witnesses

Personal Impact

Some witnesses were reportedly harassed or mocked after the incident became national news. The notoriety was not universally welcomed by the families involved.

Pop culture icon

Cultural Impact

The creature appeared in Fallout 76 (2018), Project Blue Book TV series (2019), Dandadan manga/anime (2021/2024), Everybody's Golf 4, MonsterQuest, PBS's Monstrum, and countless YouTube documentaries, podcasts, and merchandise.

West Virginia folklore legacy

Folklore Impact

The Flatwoods Monster took its place alongside Mothman, Batboy, the Grafton Monster, and other WV legends. The original 1952 drawing was recently rediscovered in Braxton County.

💡 Things You Didn't Know

Fourteen surprising facts about the Flatwoods Monster — from the ages of the witnesses (10–17), the physical illness, the multi-state meteor, the dog's reaction, the journalist-drawn sketch, the Fallout 76 appearance, the monster museum, and the No. 11 press rating.

The witnesses were ages 10–17 — the oldest was Kathleen May at 28. The group consisted mostly of children aged 10–13. The only adults were Kathleen May (28) and Eugene Lemon (17). The boys had been playing football at Flatwoods Elementary School.Source: Wikipedia, Feschino
Several witnesses reported physical illness for days after — sore throats, nausea, and convulsions. Eugene Lemon experienced convulsions and vomiting for days. Multiple witnesses reported throat and nasal irritation and nausea. The CVB notes the symptoms are also tell-tale signs of exposure to mustard gas. Skeptics attribute them to hysteria and over-exertion.Source: Braxton County CVB, Skeptical Inquirer
A meteor was seen across multiple states that same night. On September 12, 1952, a meteor was observed across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The apparent crash is a known optical illusion with meteors appearing to land on a nearby hill.Source: Joe Nickell, Skeptical Inquirer
The creature was described as 10 feet tall with a red face and glowing eyes — but the face may have been a hood or cowl. The head was shaped like the ace of spades with a round, blood-red face surrounded by a large pointed hood-like shape. The eyes emitted a greenish-orange glow. The body was dark with clothing-like folds resembling a dark metal dress.Source: Gray Barker, Fate Magazine 1953
The dog that accompanied the group reportedly ran away in terror. The May family dog, Richie, reportedly ran away in terror. The dog's reaction is often cited as evidence that something genuinely frightening occurred.Source: Feschino, Wikipedia
The object was described as pulsing and changing colors — green, orange, red. Witnesses saw a pulsing red light. The creature's eyes emitted a greenish-orange glow. Three flashing red aircraft beacons were visible from the area, which could account for the pulsating light.Source: Joe Nickell investigation
Gray Barker became one of UFOlogy's most controversial figures — he later wrote about the Men in Black. Barker's 1956 book introduced the Men in Black concept, influencing The X-Files and Men in Black films. He was accused of embellishing facts and publishing fiction as fact. The Gray Barker UFO Collection is archived at the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library.Source: Wikipedia, Clarksburg Library
The creature's appearance in Fallout 76 (2018) introduced it to millions of gamers. Fallout 76 features the Flatwoods Monster as a rare cryptid enemy. The town of Flatwoods is a playable location. Referenced in the in-game tome 'False Gods of Appalachia.'Source: Fallout Wiki / Fandom
The town of Flatwoods has a monster museum and holds an annual festival. The Flatwoods Monster Museum is in Sutton, WV with free admission. Since 2019, an annual Flatwoods Monster Convention is held. Five monster-shaped chairs around Braxton County serve as landmarks.Source: Braxton County CVB
The Air Force concluded it was a meteor — but the witnesses' illness was never fully explained. Project Blue Book concluded the light was a meteor and the creature was likely an owl. The physical symptoms were never conclusively explained by the Air Force.Source: Project Blue Book files, National Archives
The monster sketch that became famous was drawn by a journalist, not by the witnesses. The iconic illustration was created based on Kathleen May's verbal description, not by the witnesses. The original drawing was recently rediscovered in Braxton County.Source: Feschino, Braxton County CVB
The area had other reported sightings in the days surrounding the incident. Audra Harper reported a sighting near Heaters before Sept 12. The Snitowskys reported a creature near Strange Creek the day after, with a reptilian head. Account published in Male Magazine, July 1955.Source: Male Magazine, Wikipedia
The ceramic monster lantern has been produced since the late 1960s. The Braxton County Junior Chamber of Commerce began producing ceramic monster lanterns in the late 1960s as a fundraiser. Still in production today — the oldest keepsake from the incident.Source: Braxton County CVB
The case was rated No. 11 for the year by national press services in 1952. The story was so widely covered that national press services rated it No. 11 for the year. A Pittsburgh newspaper sent a special reporter. Radio broadcasts were carried on large networks.Source: Charleston Gazette Mail, Holt Byrne 1966

Watch on YouTube →

📸 Photo Gallery

Flatwoods Monster (3D model illustration)

Flatwoods Monster (SVG illustration)

Flatwoods Monster Visitor Chair

Flatwoods, West Virginia (town sign and monster chair)

Braxton County Courthouse, West Virginia

Map of West Virginia highlighting Braxton County

Flatwoods highlighted in Braxton County

West Virginia Landscape

Autumn Mountains, West Virginia

They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers (first edition cover)

📖 The Full Story

⏱️ Timeline

👁️ Key Witnesses

Kathleen May

Edward "Eddie" May

Fred "Freddie" May

Tommy Hyer

Neil "Neal" Nunley

Eugene Lemon

Ronnie Shaver

A. Lee Stewart Jr.

Max Lockard

Audra Harper

George and Edith Snitowsky

📂 Documents & Records

Braxton Democrat newspaper coverage (September 1952)

Charleston Gazette — Martian or Mirage? (October 31, 1954)

Charleston Gazette Mail — The Phantom of Flatwoods (March 6, 1966)

Fate Magazine article by Gray Barker (1953)

Male Magazine — George Snitowsky account (July 1955)

Goldenseal Magazine — The Legend of the Flatwoods Monster (Fall 2002)

Project Blue Book / U.S. Air Force investigation

Project Blue Book files on Fold3

Gray Barker UFO Collection — Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library

e-WV: West Virginia Encyclopedia — Flatwoods Monster article

Skeptical Inquirer — The Flatwoods UFO Monster (November 2000)

⚖️ Skeptical Analysis

Meteor / optical phenomenon

Barn owl on a tree branch (the monster)

Aircraft navigation/hazard beacon (pulsing red light)

Mass suggestion / group hysteria

Illness was psychosomatic or from fog/mist

Truck tracks mistaken for UFO evidence

Not a hoax — genuine misidentification

💔 Human Impact

Physical illness of witnesses

Small town fame — positive and negative

Gray Barker's sensationalization

Tourist attraction and local economy

Harassment and mockery of witnesses

Pop culture icon

West Virginia folklore legacy

💡 Things You Didn't Know

📚 Books

They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers

The Braxton County Monster: The Cover-Up of the Flatwoods Monster Revealed

The Braxton County Monster — Updated and Revised Edition (Expanded)

UFOs and the National Security State: An Unclassified History

Appalachian Ghost Stories and Other Tales

Shoot Them Down: The Flying Saucer Air Wars of 1952

Watch the Skies!: A Chronicle of the Flying Saucer Myth

Intimate Alien: The Hidden Story of the UFO

🎬 Documentaries & Videos

The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear (Full Movie)

MonsterQuest: Nightmare Lizard Monster (S4, E7)

The Most Puzzling UFO Case of the 20th Century | Monstrum

My Dad Saw the FLATWOODS MONSTER

Project Blue Book: Declassified — The True Story of the Flatwoods Monster

Project Blue Book (TV Series) — The Flatwoods Monster (S1, E2)

The Flatwoods Monster — West Virginia Space Invader

FLATWOODS MONSTER MUSEUM — Traveling West Virginia

The Lantern — The story behind the Braxton County Monster Lanterns

The Phantom of Flatwoods — Performed by Judith Davis

Did the Flatwoods Monster Exist?

Flatwoods Monster Solved!

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