The Lake Worth Monster

In the summer of 1969, multiple witnesses in Fort Worth, Texas reported seeing a strange creature near Lake Worth - described as half-man, half-goat, covered in scales and fur. The “Goatman” sightings made headlines, sparked police investigations, and created a local legend that persists today.

The First Sighting

On July 10, 1969:

• Multiple couples at Greer Island
• Creature jumped on their car
• Described as huge and hairy
• They fled and reported to police
• Officers found 18-inch scratches on vehicle

The Creature

Witnesses described:

• 7 feet tall
• Covered in scales and fur
• Goat-like features
• Extremely strong
• Aggressive behavior

Subsequent Sightings

Over the following weeks:

• Dozens of reports
• Creature seen multiple times
• Thrown a tire at observers
• Crossed roads
• Various locations around lake

The Tire Incident

One famous night:

• Crowd gathered hoping to see creature
• Something threw a tire 500 feet
• Heavy tire from nearby area
• Required considerable strength
• Witnesses scattered

Police Response

Fort Worth police:

• Investigated multiple reports
• Took witnesses seriously
• Patrolled the area
• Never captured anything
• Couldn’t explain sightings

Media Coverage

The story received:

• Extensive newspaper coverage
• National attention
• TV coverage
• Headlines about “Goatman”
• Drew curious crowds

Theories

Proposed explanations:

• Prankster in costume
• Escaped exotic animal
• Mass hysteria
• Bobcat or bear misidentified
• Something unknown

The Hoax Question

Some claimed:

• It was teenagers pranking
• No creature really existed
• Mass excitement created sightings
• However, no definitive proof of hoax

Local Legend

Lake Worth Monster became:

• Part of local folklore
• Tourist attraction
• Subject of books
• Annual celebrations
• Enduring mystery

Significance

The Lake Worth Monster is significant for:

• Multiple credible witnesses
• Physical evidence (scratches)
• Police involvement
• Media documentation
• Creating lasting legend

Legacy

The Lake Worth Goatman represents a classic American cryptid flap - intense sightings over a short period, mass interest, and eventual fading without explanation. Whether hoax or genuine unknown, it became part of Texas folklore.