Is PA really as innocent and cute as it seems? Some legends, history, and interesting sites might prove the devious demeanor of our home state…
“On my 16th birthday this year, I was in the car when an intense wind happened. It felt like the car was going to fly away,” said junior Neveah Jacksec.
Though PA has experienced quite a few tornado warnings, the most remarkable year was 1985. According to Scott Harbaugh, WPXI-TV writer, 43 tornadoes supposedly “tore through” the state, killing 75 people.
A very unfortunate event, nonetheless, but maybe there’s something scarier…like the GREEN MAN!
“Is he a real person or a part of folklore?” Jacksec asked.
Junior Jack Rekard also added, “He sounds like a really scary guy.”
The Green Man is based on a real, quite sad story. In 1919, a child named Raymond Robinson was electrocuted by a downed power line. He was attempting to explore a trestle. This accident resulted in the loss of his nose, eyes, one arm, and some unfortunate disfiguring. At night, Robinson took long walks near his home in Beaver County to avoid public harassment.
The Green Man appearance was created by the way his skin looked green under the headlights of cars. People who knew him labeled him as kind and gentle. The legend started after his death. It was passed down as a ghost or monster that haunted local roads. Some varying myths claimed that Robinson was a utility worker who went insane, or a victim of a radioactive spill.
As for PA creatures near us that are not based on true stories, the Cabot Yeti seems to be a popular term around here, although there might be a scarier version out there.
Rekard said, “The name rings a bell. I think I’ve heard some campfire stories about him,” while Jacksec said, “I haven’t. Maybe a bigfoot?”
There is no evidence of this legend, however, The Pennsylvania White Bigfoot was first spotted in 1970. An eye-witness by the name of Annette B. described the creature as tall, with a broad build and dirty white fur. A similarly described creature was sighted by two girls in 1973 near Beaver County. Except, this creature had red glowing eyes and was carrying a glowing orb in its hands. During that same year, two bigfoot-like creatures were seen in a pasture at the same time. According to Cryptid Wiki, a glowing orb landed near Uniontown, and some luminous object floated above the nearby woods.
Jacksec said, “My favorite legend is about ‘The Lady in White’ who was the only civilian killed in the battle of Gettysburg. She is often seen roaming the battlefield.”
According to The Ghosts of Gettysburg, “The ‘Lady in White’ is another famous Gettysburg specter, known for her ethereal presence and sorrowful demeanor. Legend has it that the Lady in White roams the battlefield and the historic town, her figure draped in a flowing white dress that seems to glow in the moonlight. Witnesses describe her as appearing lost and forlorn, her face etched with sadness. Some believe she is the ghost of a woman who lost her beloved during the Civil War, forever searching for him among the countless graves and battle sites.
Rekard said, “There’s a fable about a Phantom Drummer. [He’s] some soldier that fell for a girl during a war, but [he] dies.”
Though Rekard summarized the story well, the American Folklore website tells the entire story in depth. Go check it out!
If you haven’t heard any of these stories, or if you have, you might have seen some suspicious activity in person.
Reckard said, “I haven’t seen anything scary, but I have definitely seen some scary people walking down and around Butler.”
Butler isn’t exactly what some would picture as scary, but some people have experienced some scary Halloween decor!
Jacksec said, “My grandma has a black wire cat statue from the 90’s and it jumps-scares me every time!”
If this article hasn’t spooked you yet, Reckard has one last thing to say to you…
