Restored Piasa Bird carving along the Mississippi River near the junction with the Illinois River. Meet Brad McGregor, the fearless monster hunter on a quest to uncover the truth behind the legendary Piasa Bird lurking in the Midwest!

St. Louis Man On A Mission: Missouri Monster Hunter Seeks The Truth About The Piasa Bird!

Meet Brad McGregor, the fearless monster hunter on a quest to uncover the truth behind the legendary Piasa Bird lurking in the Midwest! 🦅 #News #Missouri #MonsterHunter

The Enigmatic Piasa Bird: Myth or Monster?

ST. LOUIS, MO – Brad McGregor, a self-proclaimed monster hunter from St. Louis, Missouri, has dedicated his life to uncovering the truth behind the legendary Piasa Bird.

“I’ve always been fascinated by cryptids and the unknown,” McGregor says. “The Piasa Bird has haunted my dreams since I first heard about it as a kid.”

Armed with his research, McGregor recently embarked on a journey to Alton, Illinois, where he hopes to prove the creature’s existence once and for all.

The Piasa Bird’s Haunting Legacy

The Piasa Bird is a creature of Native American legend, captured in a mural on the cliffs above the Mississippi River. This eerie figure was first painted on limestone bluffs in what is now Alton, Illinois.

Though the original mural no longer exists, a 20th-century replica based on 19th-century sketches and lithographs now graces the bluffs. This modern version, however, needs regular upkeep due to the poor quality of the limestone rock.

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“I was blown away when I first saw the replica,” McGregor recalls. “It’s like staring into the eyes of a legend.”

Piasa Bird on cliffs NW of Alton, IL.

Ancient Roots and Murals

The original mural predates European exploration. It was located at the edge of the American Bottom floodplain, possibly connected to the Mississippian culture of Cahokia. Cahokia, a massive prehistoric city, thrived around 1200 CE, boasting 20,000 to 30,000 residents. This culture was known for its iconic imagery, including falcons, thunderbirds, and monstrous snakes.

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In 1921, the Alton Evening Telegraph reported the discovery of seven additional ancient murals upriver from the Piasa Bird’s location. These depictions included animals like owls, squirrels, and lions, further showcasing the artistic legacy of the region’s ancient inhabitants.

“This discovery just adds to the mystery,” McGregor says. “It’s like pieces of a puzzle that I need to solve.”

The Encounter of 1673

The Piasa Bird was first documented by Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. Marquette described it as a monstrous creature with horns, a tiger-like beard, and a scaled body. The image, painted in vivid greens, reds, and blacks, left a lasting impression on him. Later explorers noted the mural’s gradual deterioration, attributed to local Native Americans shooting at the image as they passed.

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“You can almost feel Marquette’s fear when you read his account,” McGregor notes. “It’s like the creature was alive.”

Artist depiction of Piasa Bird. Original art by Kai Kim for Jack and Kitty Media Group.
Artist depiction of Piasa Bird. Original art by Kai Kim for Jack and Kitty Media Group.

The Legend Grows

John Russell, a professor at Shurtleff College, first referred to the mural’s creature as the “Piasa Bird” in 1836. He wove a tale of the Piasa Bird as a monstrous entity that terrorized local Native American villages.

According to Russell, a brave chief named Ouatoga lured the beast into an ambush, where warriors felled it with poisoned arrows. This story, though likely fabricated, added layers of intrigue to the Piasa Bird’s legend.

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“Russell’s story is captivating,” McGregor admits. “Even if it’s not true, it keeps the legend alive.”

The Underwater Panther Connection

Recent research links the Piasa Bird to the Underwater Panther, a supernatural being in Native American mythology. The term “Piasa” may have evolved from “Payiihsa,” meaning a small supernatural being. This connection further deepens the mystery surrounding the Piasa Bird, blending myth and historical interpretation.

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“Learning about the Underwater Panther connection blew my mind,” McGregor says. “It shows how legends evolve over time.”

Piasa Bird Historic Site marker. Alton, Illinois

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A Myth That Endures

Despite its murky origins, the Piasa Bird remains a captivating figure in Midwestern folklore. Whether a misinterpreted Native American symbol or a monstrous creature of legend, the Piasa Bird continues to intrigue and mystify. Its story, painted on the cliffs of Illinois, endures as a haunting reminder of the region’s rich and enigmatic past.

The Hunt Continues

For McGregor, the journey doesn’t end in Alton.

“I’m planning another expedition to explore the area around Cahokia,” he reveals. “There’s still so much to discover.”

As he continues his quest, McGregor hopes to shed light on the truth behind the Piasa Bird and other cryptids.

“Every legend has some basis in reality,” he says. “I’m determined to find it.”

With his unwavering dedication, Brad McGregor keeps the legend of the Piasa Bird alive, inspiring others to look beyond the ordinary and embrace the mysteries of the past.

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