Investigating Bigfoot

Volume 1-Whitehall, NY -Bigfoot Capital of NY State

As a person who loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, I often wonder what lurks in the woods. I hear strange noises. Most likely the wind. Could it be Bigfoot? Welcome to my investigative series on Bigfoot.

Bigfoot has always fueled my imagination. With all the reports and sightings over the years, you would think some have to be true. Are some reports hoaxes? Of course. However, I think it is very possible that these creatures exist.

Whitehall, NY-Bigfoot Capital

In Northeastern NY State, East of Lake George and close to the Vermont border is the village of Whitehall. This village of 4,000 people, originally known as Skenesborough, is known as the birthplace of the U.S. Navy. But wait, there is more.

In July 2020, this town named an official mascot. You guessed it. Bigfoot! The self-proclaimed Bigfoot Sighting Capital of the East Coast. Home to the Annual Sasquatch Appreciation Day.

Dating back to the 1960s, this town has a rich history of bigfoot sightings. According to newyorkupstate.com, one of the most famous occurred in August 1976 when 3 teens spotted a tall hairy beast on a rural road. They reported the sighting to the police, and upon investigation, the police (both NY State Troopers and local police) also spotted the creature that night and the following day. There were at least 10 witnesses who saw the creature over the next week.

This sighting leads to other residents coming forward regarding their spotting Bigfoot. This was very significant because at the time people were ridiculed for sharing such stories. Over the years there have been many other sightings in Whitehall involving both citizens and law enforcement personnel.

Local resident Paul Bartholomew was 12 years old. This incident sparked what would become a lifetime of interest and research on this topic. He attended college in Vermont and studied under an anthropology professor who collected research on Bigfoot. The rest is history. Bartholomew and his brother Robert have written at least 3 books on Bigfoot and many other mysterious sightings in the Adirondacks Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

In 2004, the town enacted laws outlawing the hunting of these creatures.

In 2015, the Animal Planet show Finding Bigfoot aired an episode on Whitehall. There also have been shows on the History Channel’s Ancient Monsterquest and the now-defunct Outdoor Life Network featuring the phenomenon.

A Long History

Throughout history, most cultures have told of encounters with Bigfoot-type creatures, even though the term Bigfoot wasn’t coined until the late 1950s by a group of loggers in California who discovered huge footprints and discovered that heavy objects had been unexplainably moved. These creatures have also been known by many other names, including the Skunk Ape in Florida and countless others.

According to Wikipedia, about one-third of Bigfoot sightings occur in the Pacific Northwest, while most of US states and Canada have reported sightings.

Have You Heard Them?

Supposedly these creatures exhibit behaviors including wood knocks, rock-throwing, and various vocalizations including screaming, howling, and even types of languages.

The concept of Bigfoot or Sasquatch is fascinating. People who have reported sightings often comment on their size, showing they stand 8 feet or more tall and have shoulders 4 feet wide. And of course the enormous feet.

Is It a Hoax?

As with any phenomenon, hoaxes occur. Bigfoot is no different. From people in ape suits to fake corpses and photos, there have been many hoax attempts. However, many genuine sightings have occurred and continue to take place.

Patterson-Gimlin Film

This one-minute video from 1967 is considered the gold standard of Bigfoot footage. Shot in Northern California, it has been scrutinized ever since to determine if the creature filmed was real or a hoax. The jury is still out.

In my series of articles, I will take a further look into this interesting topic, including several podcasts I have been following, and also recent sightings, etc. Of course, many times the creatures are heard and not seen, which is also fascinating.

Come along with me on this journey into the intriguing topic of Bigfoot.