Introduction
People have been seeing a Bigfoot like creature in Illinois for centuries. The native people of Illinois describe such a creature as well. Whether it is real, misidentification, or a hoax is up for debate but the topic of Bigfoot itself is clearly worthy of academic study. This guide helps point to books at WIU, good websites, and electronic resources that can be accessed to study the topic. Please remember that the name Bigfoot itself was created by popular culture in the 1950s and those studying older records (such as newspapers) should search other words describing the phenomenon including wild man, bushman, gorilla, ape, hairy man, and other variants. Bigfoot is a new name but the sightings are not and using a varied search vocabulary will be helpful on this topic.
Web Links
- The Archivist: Conversations with Dr. LorenzenDr. Michael Lorenzen joined us from Western Illinois University to discuss his research into the bigfoot phenomenon in Western Illinois. Dr. Lorenzen emphasizes the importance of primary sources in his research and is dedicated to documenting them. He shares his research philosophy with us, insights into good research practices and several historical accounts from Western Illinois. Podcast episode from the Riverlands.
- Bonus: Chasing StrangenessRichard joins us to share his first hand accounts of high strangeness in Western Illinois. He shares stories about the Argyle Monster, Sasquatch and something….even stranger. Podcast from the Riverlands.
- Reports for Illinois - Bigfoot Field Researchers OrganizationBFRO reports of sightings by county in Illinois.
- Is the Existence of Bigfoot Being Covered Up?Have you ever wondered if the government was hiding something from us? Bigfoot, often referred to as Sasquatch, is an elusive creature that has been the subject of scientific debate for years. The creature is often described as a large, bipedal ape-like creature with fur covering its entire body. It is said to inhabit wilderness areas in North America, though there is no definitive proof of its existence. The government could be covering up the existence of Bigfoot in order to protect Big Timber from potential economic losses. However, this does seem highly unlikely due to the number of people who would need to be involved.
- Illinois Bigfoot SightingsAnother resource with sighting reports.
- Bigfoot in IllinoisFor more than a century, reports have filtered out of rural and southern Illinois about strange, man-like beasts that resemble a cross between man and ape. Most witnesses talk of their odd appearance and the horrible odor that seems to accompany them. They are a dark side to the state of Illinois that few of us understand and they lend an air of mystery to the Prairie State that is unrivaled by any other region of the Midwest.
- Illinois Bigfoot SightingsThis area of the website emphasizes everything concerning bigfoot /sasquatch sightings within the state of Illinois. By Stan Courtney.
- Bigfoot Sighting In Illinois?My home state of Illinois isn’t the most well-known state for its bigfoot sightings, but sightings do take place here. And in areas where there is virtually no wilderness. And this has led me and researchers in this state to believe they don’t really need wilderness to thrive. And there were “wild man” reports in my area down through history.
- Wildman Lives Alone In Cave1922 account of Bigfoot from Mt. Sterling, IL?
- Bigfoot - WikipediaWikipedia article on this alleged ape-like creature purportedly inhabiting forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
- Bigfoot ABCsOrganization undertaking research into these unique creatures and working to save their habitat.
- Bigfoot EncountersContains sightings, links, and pictures.
- Bigfoot EncountersIncludes news, sightings, stories, newspaper and magazine clippings, videos, and interviews.
- Bigfoot at 50A skeptical review of the history of Bigfoot.
- North American BigfootBlog by bigfoot field researcher, Cliff Barackman, with bigfoot pictures, a cast database and bigfoot evidence for peer review. Report a bigfoot sighting with supporting evidence.
- Sasquatch Information SocietyIncludes news, pictures, research, and interviews.
- Sasquatch and Native AmericansIndian legends about the Sasquatch.
Illinois Newspaper Bigfoot Stories
- ... or a hairy gorilla-type near St.Joe(17-Oct-1973; Champaign-Urbana Courier)
- 15 reported Bigfoot sightings in QCA, data shows(KWQC-TV 6, May. 10, 2019)
- Central Illinois man on watch for Bigfoot(29-May-2010; State Journal-Register)
- Creature spotted at The Nature Institute: Park officials advising caution to hikers(RiverBend.com, April 1 2017)
- A field guide to Illinois' fantastic beasts(Chicago Tribune, 10/26/2017)
- A history of Riverbend Bigfoot sightings(RiverBend.com, April 3 2017)
- Huge, White, Hairy "Monster" Reported Sighted In Cairo(26-Jul-1972; Cairo Evening Citizen)
- Local Monster Might Need Good Attorney(27-Jul-1972; Cairo Evening Citizen)
- MAYWOOD’S WHAT-IS-IT(31-Dec-1890; Chicago Inter Ocean)
- Messing with Sasquatch may not be such a good idea(18-Jul-2011; Springfield Journal Register)
- The Monster Story(23-Oct-1968; Fulton County Democrat)
- The quest for faith leads journalist on search for bigfoot(Effingham Daily News, Apr 8, 2016)
- A Roaming Madman – Startling Experiences of An Illinois Lady with a Wild Man – As Naked as the Day He was Born(The Saturday Herald, September 8, 1883)
- Sizing up Sasquatch(Canton Daily Ledger, Mar 17, 2013)
- Sounds of bumps in night at Staunton Lake(9-Apr-1991; Alton Telegraph)
- Strange sightings in Little Egypt: Do cryptids live in Southern Illinois?(The Southern , Oct. 27, 2019)
- Web site sorts Bigfoot stories to seek truth(15-May-2000; Springfield State Journal-Register)
- The Wild Man Hunt(Decatur Daily Republican, Dec. 4, 1891)
Books at WIU
Anatomy of a Beast by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 M38 2009ISBN: 9780520255715Publication Date: 2009-06-02Part history, part road trip, and part biography, this is the true story of a remarkable group of men whose obsession with Bigfoot turned the giant hominid into an American icon.
When Bigfoot Attacks by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 N49 2011ISBN: 9781905723690Publication Date: 2011-06-01Native American legends speak of brutal wars between tribesmen and cannibal giants, an early form of ethnic cleansing from which only one side could emerge victorious. But are the stories true?
Where Bigfoot Walks by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 P95 1995ISBN: 0395857015Publication Date: 1997-06-18Robert Michael Pyle trekked into the Dark Divide, where he discovered a giant fossil footprint; searched out Indians who told him of an outcast tribe of large, hairy creatures that had not fully evolved into humans; and attended the convocation in British Columbia called Sasquatch Daze, where he realized that these guys don’t want to find Bigfoot, they want to be Bigfoot.
Bigfoot!: the True Story of Apes in America by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 C65 2003ISBN: 0743469755Publication Date: 2003-04-01Presents over forty years of investigations, interviews, and fieldwork on the North American "Sasquatch" and explores modern debates on their existence and whereabouts.
Bigfoot Exposed by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 D34 2004ISBN: 0759105383Publication Date: 2004-10-22The scientific community on the whole, however, has stubbornly refused to comment on what it views as a very tall tale, though Bigfoot's existence continues to be hotly argued between proponents of the beast and its skeptics. Now, biological anthropologist and primate physiology specialist David J. Daegling enters the fray to offer both sides of the dispute benefit of objective scientific study.
Bigfoot Casebook Updated by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 B67 2006ISBN: 0937663107Publication Date: 2006-03-01Sightings and encounters from 1818 to 2004.
Recasting Bigfoot by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 Q33 2010ISBN: 9780557776214Publication Date: 2010-11-01The Indians insisted that Sasquatch were two tribes and one could speak Douglas. From this beginning, how did a diametrically opposite modern myth of a 9 foot tall "Gigantopithecus" evolve?
Bigfoot and Other Legendary Creatures by Call Number: CURRLIB. 001.9 W182bfISBN: 0152071474Publication Date: 1992-03-01Explores the myths and scientific inquiries surrounding repeated sightings of such legendary creatures as the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, and the Yeti.
Bigfoot : the Yeti and Sasquatch in Myth and Reality by Call Number: QL89 .N36 1973ISBN: 0525066586Publication Date: 1973-03-01Dr. John Napier was Curator of Primates at the Smithsonian Institution. At the time this book was written in the early 1970's, it was unusual for a Scientist to publicly show interest in this subject. Dr Napier was a leading Primatologist who took an interest in this subject and began investigating further. He examines the evidence for the existence of the North American "Bigfoot" as well as the Himalyan "Yeti"
Finding Bigfoot: Everything You Need to Know by Call Number: CURRLIB. 001.944 B864fbISBN: 9781250040893Publication Date: 2013-08-13Presents information about Bigfoot, covering details about sightings and evidence for the existence of the controversial animal, as well viewpoints of skeptics and scientists on the subject.
Abominable Science! by Call Number: QL88.3 .L69 2013eb (E-Resource)ISBN: 9780231526814Publication Date: 2012-08-21Throughout our history, humans have been captivated by mythic beasts and legendary creatures. Tales of Bigfoot, the Yeti, and the Loch Ness monster are part of our collective experience. Now comes a book from two dedicated investigators that explores and elucidates the fascinating world of cryptozoology.
Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science by Call Number: QL89.2.S2 M45 2007ISBN: 9780765312174Publication Date: 2007-09-04A scientist takes a scholarly, objective look at the mystery of Sasquatch and at evidence and research that could hold the key to a large but previously undiscovered North American primate, reviewing the scientific pros and cons for its existence.
American Monsters by Call Number: GR825 .G564 2014ISBN: 9780399165542Publication Date: 2014-08-28From pre-Columbian legends to modern-day eyewitness accounts, this comprehensive guide covers the history, sightings and lore surrounding the most mysterious monsters in America--including Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, and more.
Monsters and Water Beasts by Call Number: CURRLIB. 398.24 M648mbISBN: 9780805079029Publication Date: 2007-04-17Describes various fantastic monsters or animals which some people think might have inhabited the land or sea.
Professor, University Libraries
Dr. Michael Lorenzen
Contact:
Leslie F. Malpass Library 638
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
309-298-1939 (Office), 309-298-2717 (Archives)
Website
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