Urban Legends in Wyoming

Legends are folklore that have been passed down, usually orally, through many generations. The stories are fun and intriguing but at the same time they leave you wondering if there could be just a little bit of truth to them. Some of these legends in Wyoming will keep you awake at night wondering this very thing.

San Pedro Mountain Mummy And The "Little People"

The Shoshone Indians believed that "little people," who were between 20" and 3 feet tall, existed and that they attacked the Native Americans with miniature bows and poisonous arrows. This is mostly believed to be a legend but a 14" mummy was discovered in the San Pedro Mountains in 1932 by two gold prospectors. When dynamite was used to blast the mountainside, a cave was discovered with a 6 1/2" mummy. Anthropologists determined that the mummy was a 65 year old adult. Is this legend or reality?

The Death Ship of the Platte River

Legend has it that a "Ship of Death" appears from a thick mist and sails upon the Platte River. Apparently, the ship and crew are covered with frost. The ship is said to foreshadow the death of someone on the same day the ship is seen. In fact, the person's corpse is apparently seen on the deck of the ship.

Jackalopes

The Jackalope is said to be a rabbit with antlers. Allegedly, there are occasional sightings of this extinct animal in Wyoming that is extremely fast, can mimic human sounds and can be very vicious.

Big Nose George Becomes A Pair Of Shoes

George Parrot was an outlaw, known for his big nose, who was a robber, horse thief, and murderer. All of that soon caught up with him which resulted in him being jailed and later hanged. Big Nose George's skin was used to make a pair of shoes. He is the only man to become a pair of shoes after his death.

The Legend of Devils Tower

Legend has it that some girls were out playing and several giant bears started chasing them. The girls climbed a rock and began to pray for help. The Great Spirit then made the rock grow towards the heavens so the bears could not get to the girls. The bears clawed at the rock leaving claw marks along the sides causing the cracks you see today on the monument.

The Lady In Green

Legend has it that when Fort Laramie was a trading post, the person in charge brought his daughter along with him to the post. His daughter slipped away on her horse while her father was away and horse and rider completely vanished. Years later, the legend grew among the Indians and traders that her ghost appears every seven years and rides along the old trail at Fort Laramie.

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