INTRODUCTION

Introduction

The Dewey Lake Monster is the name given to a large biped creature approximately 10 feet tall (3.048 meters) and weighing about 500 pounds (226.7 kilograms), which first came to national prominence in June 1964 after several reported sightings near Dewey Lake in Dowagiac, Michigan.  It is also referred to as the Michigan Bigfoot and Sister Lakes Sasquatch.

The beast had already been known to locals in the area for several years prior to the June 1964 events and was rumored to exist primarily along a 15-mile stretch of swamp-land extending from Dowagiac/Sister Lakes toward Decatur Michigan (along Dewey Lake Street); however in 1964 it gained national attention after several notable attacks and spottings initiated investigation by authorities, which prompted coverage by national newspapers and caused a flood of curious thrill-seekers and monster hunters to besiege the local community in the Summer of ’64.

Though the monster was never captured nor the mystery resolved, footprints were photographed and plaster casts taken as well as sketches rendered.

Former Cass County Sheriff, Paul Parrish, was quoted as saying “it was one of the strangest times” in his "33 years of southwestern Michigan law enforcement.”  He added “We investigated it long and hard, but were never able to come up with whatever it was. But some good, honest, legitimate people” reported it.

The mystery remains to this day as do the sightings; and perhaps the most curious aspect of all is the people who witnessed the “beast” are still reluctant to discuss what they saw. They only want to forget it and are not interested in having their names associated with the “thing” they encountered.