Van Meter Visitor is a cryptid that is said to have been sighted in Van Meter, Iowa, in 1903. According to reports, several members of the community claimed to have seen a mysterious winged creature that terrorized some of the town’s residents during several nights in October of that year. The creature was described as being half-man, half-animal, with the ability to spew light from its horn.
The Van Meter Visitor continues to be a topic of interest among cryptozoologists and enthusiasts of the paranormal. Some believe that the creature was a physical manifestation of a supernatural entity, while others speculate that it may have been an extraterrestrial being. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the legend of the Van Meter Visitor has persisted for over a century, and has become an integral part of the lore of the town of Van Meter.
Historical Background
First Sightings
The Van Meter Visitor is a cryptid that was first sighted in the small town of Van Meter, Iowa, in 1903. The sightings began on September 1st, 1903, when a group of local businessmen claimed to have seen a large, winged creature with glowing eyes. The creature was described as being roughly 8 feet tall, with bat-like wings and a horn on its head. The creature was said to have a pungent odor and was able to emit a blinding light from its horn.
Over the course of the next few days, several other sightings were reported by townspeople, including police officers and other respected members of the community. The creature was said to be able to fly at incredible speeds and was impervious to bullets.
Van Meter Town History
Van Meter is a small town located in Dallas County, Iowa, with a population of around 1,000 people. The town was founded in the late 1800s and was primarily a coal mining town. The coal mines in the area were eventually closed, and the town became a center for agriculture.
The town is known for its historic buildings, including the Van Meter Library, which was built in 1908, and the Van Meter State Bank, which was built in 1915. The town also has a rich history of paranormal activity, with several other cryptid sightings reported in the area over the years. The Van Meter Visitor remains one of the most famous and intriguing cryptids in Iowa’s history.
Physical Description
Reported Features
The Van Meter Visitor, also known as the Van Meter Monster, is a flying cryptid that was first sighted in Van Meter, Iowa in 1903. According to eyewitness accounts, the creature was about 7 to 9 feet tall, with a bat-like appearance and wingspan of up to 12 feet. It had a horn on its forehead that glowed, and some reports suggest that it had claw-like hands attached to its wings. Witnesses also reported a foul smell emanating from the creature.
Comparisons to Other Cryptids
The Van Meter Visitor has been compared to other cryptids, such as the Mothman and the Jersey Devil, due to its flying abilities and strange appearance. However, the Van Meter Visitor is unique in its reported horn and foul odor. Some have suggested that the creature may have been a surviving species of pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile, while others believe it may have been an extraterrestrial being.
Despite numerous sightings and reports, the Van Meter Visitor has never been captured or officially identified. The mystery surrounding this cryptid continues to intrigue and fascinate both believers and skeptics alike.
Theories and Explanations
Supernatural Theories
The Van Meter Visitor remains a mystery to this day, with many supernatural theories attempting to explain the creature’s existence. Some believe that the cryptid is a demon or other supernatural entity that was summoned to the town, while others speculate that it is an extraterrestrial being that landed in Van Meter. However, there is little concrete evidence to support these theories, and they remain largely speculative.
Scientific Speculations
Some scientists have attempted to explain the Van Meter Visitor using scientific principles. One theory is that the creature is a previously unknown species of animal, perhaps a large bat or bird. Another theory is that it is a surviving pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile that was thought to have gone extinct millions of years ago. However, there is little evidence to support either of these theories, and they remain largely speculative.
Hoax Considerations
While some have suggested that the Van Meter Visitor was a hoax perpetrated by the townspeople, this theory has been largely dismissed. Witnesses described the creature as being much larger than any human, and it was reportedly shot at multiple times without any effect. Additionally, the sightings were reported by multiple people in the town, making it unlikely that it was a coordinated effort to deceive others. Despite this, some still believe that the Van Meter Visitor was a hoax, and the mystery remains unsolved.
Cultural Impact
Media Representation
The Van Meter Visitor has been featured in various media forms, including books, podcasts, and TV shows. In 2013, Chad Lewis and Kevin Lee Nelson wrote a book titled “The Van Meter Visitor: A True and Mysterious Encounter with the Unknown.” The book explores the history and sightings of the cryptid, making it an excellent resource for those interested in learning more.
The Van Meter Visitor has also been featured on several podcasts, including Cryptid Campfire and Astonishing Legends. These podcasts delve into the history and lore of the cryptid, providing listeners with a better understanding of its significance.
Local Lore and Tourism
The Van Meter Visitor has become a significant part of local folklore in Van Meter, Iowa. The town celebrates the cryptid every year with a festival, including a parade, food vendors, and live music. The festival is an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn more about the history and sightings of the Van Meter Visitor.
In addition to the festival, Van Meter has also become a popular tourist destination for those interested in the paranormal. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the town, visiting the sites where the cryptid was sighted. The town has also installed a statue of the Van Meter Visitor, making it a must-see attraction for tourists.
Overall, the Van Meter Visitor has had a significant cultural impact on the town of Van Meter and the wider cryptid community. Its history and sightings continue to fascinate and intrigue people, making it a valuable addition to the world of cryptozoology.
Eyewitness Accounts
Key Witnesses
Several respected members of the Van Meter community reported sightings of the strange winged creature in October of 1903. Among them were the town’s doctor, a local banker, and a police officer. They claimed that the creature was around seven feet tall, had large bat-like wings, and a horn on its head. The witnesses also reported a strange odor emanating from the creature.
Recorded Testimonies
In addition to the key witnesses, other residents of Van Meter also reported seeing the creature. Some of them claimed that it had the ability to shoot a blinding light from its horn. One witness even reported that the creature had chased him down a street before disappearing into the night.
These eyewitness accounts were recorded in local newspapers at the time, and have been passed down through generations of Van Meter residents. While some skeptics have dismissed the sightings as a hoax or a misidentification of a known animal, the consistency of the descriptions and the number of witnesses make it difficult to ignore the possibility of a real cryptid creature.
Investigations
Cryptozoological Research
Cryptozoologists have been fascinated by the Van Meter Visitor for decades. They have conducted numerous investigations in an attempt to uncover the truth behind this mysterious creature. Some cryptozoologists believe that the Van Meter Visitor is a surviving pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile that went extinct millions of years ago. Others believe that it is a completely new species that has yet to be discovered by science.
Cryptozoologists have gathered various pieces of evidence to support their claims. They have collected eyewitness accounts, plaster casts of footprints, and even photographs of the creature. However, skeptics argue that this evidence is inconclusive and does not prove the existence of the Van Meter Visitor.
Scientific Inquiries
In recent years, scientists have also taken an interest in the Van Meter Visitor. They have attempted to use scientific methods to explain the sightings and encounters with the creature. Some scientists have suggested that the Van Meter Visitor could be a misidentified bird or bat species. Others have proposed that it could be an elaborate hoax created by the residents of Van Meter.
Despite these scientific inquiries, there is still no definitive explanation for the Van Meter Visitor. The mystery surrounding this cryptid continues to intrigue researchers and enthusiasts alike.
Contemporary Sightings
Despite the Van Meter Visitor being sighted only in 1903, there have been some contemporary sightings of this cryptid. In 2023, a group of teenagers claimed to have seen a large winged creature in the outskirts of Van Meter. They described the creature as having a humanoid body with bat-like wings and a glowing horn on its head. The sighting lasted only a few seconds before the creature disappeared into the night.
Another sighting of the Van Meter Visitor was reported in 2018 by a man who was walking his dog near the Raccoon River. He claimed to have seen a large creature with wings and a horned head flying over the river. The man’s description of the creature closely matched the original sightings from 1903.
In 2015, a group of paranormal investigators visited Van Meter to search for evidence of the cryptid. They reported hearing strange noises and seeing unexplained lights in the sky. While they did not directly encounter the Van Meter Visitor, they believed that their experiences were evidence of the creature’s continued presence in the area.
Despite these contemporary sightings, the Van Meter Visitor remains a mysterious and elusive cryptid. While some believe that it is a real creature that continues to haunt the town of Van Meter, others dismiss it as a myth or a hoax. Regardless of the truth, the legend of the Van Meter Visitor continues to capture the imagination of those who are fascinated by the world of cryptids and the paranormal.