North Shore Monster facts for kids
The North Shore Monster is a mysterious creature that people say lives in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is a part of Utah's local stories, also known as folklore.
Sightings of the Lake Monster
People have reported seeing strange creatures in the Great Salt Lake for many years. These sightings have led to stories about the North Shore Monster.
The 1877 Encounter
In the early summer of 1877, a man named J.H. McNeil and other workers saw something unusual. They worked for the Barnes and Co. Salt Works company. This company was located on the north shore of the lake, near a place called Kelton.
It was evening when they saw a huge creature in the water. They described it as having a body like a crocodile. Its head looked like a horse. The creature made a very loud, scary noise. It then moved quickly toward the workers. The workers quickly ran up a nearby hill. They hid in the bushes until the next morning.
Some people think this "monster" might have been a buffalo. Buffalo are large animals that can swim. It is possible one might have been in the lake.
Earlier Lake Sightings
About 30 years before the 1877 sighting, another person reported seeing a lake monster. This man was known as Brother Bainbridge. He said he saw a creature with a body like a dolphin. This sighting happened near Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake.
These stories are part of the fun and mystery surrounding the Great Salt Lake.
