Columbus’ Cryptid Legend: The Mill Race Monster & Fall Frights Await

Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana, is best known today for its scenic river views and family-friendly trails.

But in November 1974, it became the center of one of the most bizarre and chilling events in local history: multiple reports of a hairy green-faced monster lurking in the woods.

What followed was panic, a massive search effort, and one of the largest monster hunts in U.S. history, a legend that still echoes through Columbus folklore today.

We thought we were going to die.

– Tyra Cataline, eyewitness

Quick summary of the November 1974 sightings and events

  • Nov. 1: Two separate groups of women report sightings; one group claims the creature jumped on their car and clawed the hood.
  • Nov. 5: Two men see a hairy figure near the park’s covered bridge; UFO sightings reported in the region.
  • Nov. 8: Dogcatcher Rick Duckworth spots a tall figure wrapped in green blankets; frightened cats bolt from the scene.
  • Nov. 12: The Republic runs editorial “Enough’s Enough,” calling for calm.
  • Mid-November: Park closed from dusk to dawn; monster hunters continue searches; footprints reported.
  • Nov. 20: “Monster Roast” humorously placed on city agenda; sightings taper off.

November 1, 1974 – The First Sightings

The first call to the Columbus Police Department came around 3:00 p.m. when two women driving near the boat ramp to the White River reported seeing “a monster.” They described it as six or seven foot tall, upright, with dark fur and a pale green face. Police rushed to the scene but found nothing.

That same evening, a second group of women had a terrifying encounter. A hairy figure with long claws reportedly jumped onto the hood of their car, pounding on the windshield before fleeing into the woods where the Driftwood and Flatrock rivers meet. Their car bore deep scratches, lending credibility to their story.

November 5, 1974 – UFOs and More Sightings

Two men claimed to see the creature near the park’s covered bridge, first in daylight and later at night when they returned with binoculars. One speculated it might have been left behind by extraterrestrials, pointing to simultaneous UFO sightings reported throughout the Midwest.

This theory only fueled the public imagination, with some insisting it was Bigfoot and others suggesting a prankster or even a publicity stunt by a political candidate.

November 8, 1974 – The Dogcatcher’s Report

City dogcatcher Rick Duckworth and colleague John Brown were dispatched to rescue two cats stuck in a tree. What they saw instead startled them: a tall figure wrapped in green blankets with long reddish hair, which bolted into the woods “as fast as a deer.”

Even the rescued cats ran off “like bolts of lightning,” Duckworth later recalled. That same day, a local woman called police after hearing noises in her garage; her son claimed he saw the creature there.

Mid-November – And the Hunt Begins

Within days, Mill Race Park was overrun, not by monsters, but by monster hunters. Dozens of people, some carrying flashlights and others armed with clubs, knives, or guns, combed the woods each night.

Authorities feared the situation more than the creature itself. The park was soon barricaded and closed from dusk to dawn, and Police Officer Kenneth St. John was humorously named “Monster Control Officer” to handle a flood of media inquiries.

The Republic, Columbus’ daily newspaper, published an editorial titled “Enough’s Enough,” criticizing the hysteria and calling for calm. A letter to the editor soon followed, mocking the hunt and urging people to stay home.

Pictured: Image from the Indy Star’s article on the Mill Race Monster

Late November – The End?

By mid-November, the park committee jokingly placed a “Monster Roast” on its agenda, signaling the end of the hysteria. While police suspected a prank, no one ever admitted responsibility. Despite skepticism, reports of strange footprints and lingering fear kept the legend alive.

Decades later, local newspaper editor and county historian, Harry McCawley recalled the incident for the TV show Monsters and Mysteries in America, calling it “the largest monster hunt in U.S. history.”

Some eyewitnesses, like Tyra Cataline, never wavered in their testimony:

We thought we were going to die. All three of us thought we were going to die.

It was something. I don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t somebody wearing a costume.

But the Mill Race Monster isn’t the only scary tale in Columbus

Columbus is home to several haunted sites. The historic Crump Theatre, once a vaudeville and opera house, is said to be the most haunted, with reports of “The Lady in Black,” ghostly children, mysterious touches, and eerie music. Columbus’ own celebrity ghost hunter, Matthew Jackson, has explored the mysteries of The Crump, sharing his findings on his website, Paraholics.com. The historic venue has also drawn national attention, appearing on the TV show Paranormal Encounters, and even catching the interest of The Ghost Brothers who made a guest apperance at the 2024 ParaCon at The Crump, and joined with countless amateur ghost hunters eager to experience its paranormal allure.

Other spooky spots include the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, where doors open on their own, and Viewpoint Books, where books fly off shelves and phantom footsteps echo after dark.

Whether you believe the Mill Race Monster was a prank, a cryptid, or something out of this world, the legend still lingers in the quiet corners of the park.

This fall, why not come see for yourself?

Keep scrolling and get the inside scoop on all the scary events happening in town.

Come for the monster, stay for the scares.

Spooky Happenings in town

Talking Tombstones II

Join us and our partner, The Hope Yellow Trail Museum, for a fun experience learning about county ancestors through first person actors.

Details

September 19, 2025 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Pricing: $15 in Advance | $20 at the Gate

Emerge 91: Blood and Bones

Experience Pro Wrestling with a spooky twist

Details

Date: Friday, October 4 at 7:00PM

Pricing $10-$30

Harmony & Glow: Halloween Melodies

Experience the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic String Quartet performing in the warm glow of hundreds of candles inside the historic and possibly “haunted” Crump Theatre. This one-night-only concert blends elegance, magic, and just the right touch of the eerie for an unforgettable evening.

Details

Date: Friday, October 17 at 7:30 PM

Pricing $25

Program highlights include:

  • The haunting Phantom of the Opera
  • Saint-Saëns’ chilling Danse Macabre
  • The playful Monster Mash
  • Disney’s fantastical Night on Bald Mountain

The Haunting at Shireman Homestead

Step into our eerie Western town, explore a 160-foot-long mine, and wander through an upside-down farmhouse.

Details

Open every Fridays & Saturdays in October

When Darkness Falls

Dare to enter When Darkness Falls at CERA Sports Park & Campground, a spine-chilling haunted trail like no other!

Details

Open Friday and Saturday evenings from October 4th through November 2nd. Tickets start at $20

Black Out Nights

  • October 16th and November 1st
  • Tickets are $35/Person
  • Trail is completely dark with no lights besides a few path markers. Each person receives glow device to help navigate the dark woods.
  • First 100 Guests each night receive free gift!

Movies in the Campground

A family-friendly movie experience under the stars at Cera Sports Park & Campground

Details

Fridays & Saturdays in October at 7pm, check website for movie list.

Sammy's Ghost House

A family-friendly haunted house experience at CERA Sports Park & Campground

Details

Fridays & Saturdays in October from 6pm–9pm

Cost: $5/person (ages 4 and under are free).

Hayrides

A spooky tour for the whole group at CERA Sports Park & Campground!

Details

Open Friday and Saturday in October from 6pm–9pm

Requires Experience Bracelet

Ghouly Golf

Play a round of mini-golf with a creepy twist at CERA Sports Park & Campground!

Details

Fridays: 5pm–11pm

Saturdays: Noon–11pm

Pumpkins & Props Halloween Event

Join us for a free Halloween trick-or-treat event! We’ll invite you to wander through the darkened hallways of our Terminal and see decorated planes on the ramp. Venture across the parking lot to Propeller to ‘bob’ for donuts and create spooktacular slime!

Details

Trick or Treat Nights

Dates: October 25 & 31

Events:

  • Hayrides
  • Costume contest at 5 PM
  • Trick-or-treating from 6 PM – 8 PM
  • Campground movie at 9 PM

Halloween at the Campground

Trick or treat nights on 10/25 & 10/31 at CERA Sports Park & Campground

Details

Trick or Treat Nights

Dates: October 25 & 31

Events:

  • Hayrides
  • Costume contest at 5 PM
  • Trick-or-treating from 6 PM – 8 PM
  • Campground movie at 9 PM

kidscommons Haunted Museum

Step into the world of Grimm Nightmares with eerie tales, hands-on Halloween crafts, and creepy creativity around every corner. Costumes encouraged and imagination required!

Kid friendly.

Details

Date: October 26

Pricing:

  • $18 Member Child/$9 Member Adult
  • $24 General Admission Child/$12 General Admission Adult

Where Great Design Meets Fall Vibes: Columbus, Indiana

Where Great Design Meets Fall Vibes: Columbus, IndianaIf you love art, architecture and design, there is truly no better place to be this fall than Columbus, Indiana! For decades Columbus has stood…

Read More

Fall for… Columbus: Fall Itineraries for the perfect trip

Discover Columbus, Indiana this fall with 10 hand-picked itineraries designed for every personality. Pick one and let’s start planning something actually fun!

2025 Exhibit Columbus Preview

Yes And Exhibit Columbus is Bringing the City to Life! If you have ever wanted to see a city transform into a playground of creativity and design, Columbus, Indiana, is the place…

Read More

Date Night & Girls Guide

Henry Social ClubQUICK LINKS Brunch | Relax & Pamper Yourself | Enjoy the Show | Progressive DinnerWhether you’re embracing love, reveling in romance, or strengthening connections with friends, Columbus offers unique ways…

Read More

Explore the Architectural Wonders of Columbus, Indiana

If you have a passion for mid-century modern architecture and design, Columbus, Indiana, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Our vibrant city is home to a stunning collection of architectural…

Grab a Drink! Breweries to Discover in Columbus, IN

Grab a DrinkIf you consider yourself a craft cocktail connoisseur, or if you just like to grab an occasional brew, Columbus and Bartholomew County have you covered! From IPAs to stouts, and…

American Modern Book Launch

American Modern is the first in-depth publication about Columbus, Indiana, that demonstrates the unique blend of civic, industrial, and social forces that produced the preeminent laboratory of architectural modernism in the country.

Top Places to Shop in Downtown Columbus, Indiana

While shopping in downtown Columbus, you’ll be charmed by our historic storefronts intermingled with the modern architecture Columbus is known for.

Read More

Exhibit Columbus Cycle 5

Exhibit Columbus has launched Cycle 5! To advance and shape this cycle of Exhibit Columbus, seven Curatorial Partners form the core of the curatorial team. The Partners have extraordinary backgrounds and represent…

Read More

Signature Events for Columbus, Indiana!

Your guide to the biggest events in Columbus! Knowing us, we will more than likely come up with something cool as the year goes on so be sure to keep an eye…

You May Also Like