Deep in the pine forests and moss-draped swamps of southern Mississippi lies the tiny community of Chatawa—a quiet, picturesque place with a legend that refuses to die. For more than a century, locals have whispered about a strange creature that lurks just beyond the tree line, a hulking, hairy beast known simply as the Chatawa Monster.
The Legend Begins
According to local folklore, the Chatawa Monster’s story begins with a circus train derailment sometime in the early 20th century. The train, traveling along the Illinois Central Railroad, was said to be carrying exotic animals bound for a traveling show. Somewhere near the Tangipahoa River, disaster struck—the train derailed and cages splintered open in the wreck.
Most of the animals were recovered, but one was never found: a bizarre half-man, half-ape hybrid that had reportedly been kept in a reinforced cage, part of a sideshow attraction. After the wreck, search parties scoured the woods, but no trace of the creature turned up. In the nights that followed, residents began hearing strange noises—deep growls, heavy footsteps, and unearthly screams echoing from the swamp.
They began calling it the Chatawa Monster.
The Creature in the Woods
Witness descriptions of the Chatawa Monster vary, but most agree on several key traits. The creature is said to stand between seven and ten feet tall, covered in thick, matted hair, with long arms and a sloped, ape-like face. Its glowing red eyes have been spotted reflecting from treetops or peering out from roadside ditches.
Farmers have reported finding claw marks on trees, livestock missing, and strange tracks in the mud that resemble oversized human footprints. Campers tell of a terrible odor—a mix of swamp rot and wet fur—that sometimes precedes a sighting.
Alternate Origins
Not everyone agrees on the circus-train explanation. Another theory links the legend to Kramer’s Lodge, a local attraction in Chatawa that once kept exotic animals for guests to view. Some believe one of these creatures escaped long ago, and over the years, the tale grew into something monstrous.
Others say the legend began at St. Mary’s Institute, a historic girls’ school near Chatawa. Students whispered about a creature that roamed the nearby woods at night, scaring newcomers and giving the quiet school an eerie reputation. The story spread from the classroom to the community—and before long, the Chatawa Monster became a fixture of Mississippi folklore.
Sightings and Modern Attention
Over the decades, locals and travelers alike have claimed to spot the creature darting across backroads or standing motionless among the trees. Some hunters have refused to return to certain areas after hearing blood-curdling screams.
In recent years, interest in the Chatawa Monster has grown again. Cryptid enthusiasts, podcasters, and even international visitors from Sweden have traveled to Pike County to explore the swampy backroads and interview residents. Despite the attention, no clear evidence—no photos, hair samples, or casts—has ever confirmed the creature’s existence.
Still, in a place where the fog hangs low and the woods seem alive after dark, locals say it’s best not to wander alone.
Fact Box
Name: Chatawa Monster
Location: Chatawa, Mississippi (Pike County)
Type: Swamp Ape / Southern Bigfoot Variant
Description: 7–10 feet tall, covered in dark or grayish fur, glowing eyes, foul odor, ape-like face
First Reports: Early 1900s (following alleged circus train wreck)
Behavior: Elusive, territorial, occasionally aggressive; leaves claw marks and tracks
Possible Explanations: Escaped animal, misidentification of bears or primates, local folklore
Folklore or Fact?
Like most regional cryptid tales, the Chatawa Monster blurs the line between reality and myth. Some believe the creature is Mississippi’s own version of Bigfoot, while others see it as nothing more than an enduring ghost story told around campfires.
Whether a remnant of a tragic train accident, an escaped zoo animal, or simply a figment of collective imagination, the Chatawa Monster continues to give Chatawa its mysterious charm. It’s one of those legends that define a place—a reminder that even in the most peaceful corners of the Deep South, the unknown is never too far away.
