Bigfoot and the Chupacabra are legendary cryptid figures here in Texas — but what about the tales of legendary creatures more tied to local communities in the state?
Gather ‘round, tighten the hold on your coffee mug, and read on for local legends that may be too close to home.
The Donkey lady
Did you know that San Antonio’s Donkey Lady Bridge has quite the legend behind it? There are a few different tales, but the main story involves a family’s farmhouse being burned down. According to some stories, a woman in the farmhouse became disfigured in the accident and eventually came to resemble a donkey. She’s known to haunt the bridge at night; apparently, the best way to get her attention is by honking, if you dare.
The Hairy Man
Legend has it that this Round Rock cryptid haunting the Bushy Creek area came about many years ago when a family was traveling via wagon and a child fell off. The family never returned for the young boy, and he grew up in the woods — growing hair all over his body to mitigate weather + holding a grudge against all humans due to his family’s negligence. Folks say that he’s dead now, but continues to haunt the area as a cryptid.
The Lake Worth Monster
What’s half man, half goat, stands at seven feet tall, and is known for loud, mournful cries? The Lake Worth Monster, aka the Goatman. The cryptid found near Fort Worth was first popularized thanks to a story from July 1969 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Check out this video from the vault on Lake Worth Monster sightings.
Fascinated by local legends and lore like this? Austin’s Museum of the Weird dives into even more cryptid tales and oddities.
