On the night of July 13, 1855, in Perry, New York, two boys and a few men were fishing from a boat on Silver Lake. After several hours of fishing, the men grew tired and wanted to head in for the day. Besides, it was getting late and the sun was going to set. As they began to row the boat in, each passenger watched as a nearby floating log began to move, dipping in and out of the water. Then without notice, the beast leaped from the water, showing itself in all its glory before splashing back into the murky water and disappearing. The men and boys who were struck with awe rushed back to shore and alerted the local authorities. They had witnessed a massive, scaly, dinosaur like creature. The legend of the Silver Lake Serpent was born.
Silver Lake Serpent Drawing 1855
It didn’t take long for word to spread, and people came from far and wide to get a chance to search for the monster. Several expeditions were launched, including a whaleman with a harpoon, a crazed society of men armed with guns, and even companies who spend thousands on employees bent on capturing the creature.
Sadly,nothing was ever found, and the popularity of the creature died with time. It wasn’t until 1857, when a fire broke out at Artemus B. Walker’s house, a local of the lake. Within the burned wreckage of the house was found a serpent like wire frame and some green mesh. It was at this time that Mr. Walker confessed that he has created the monster to attract popularity to the town and its hotels.
Silver Lake 1870
Is the Silver Lake Serpent Real?
Since the release of the hoax however, there has been doubt in the minds of many of the locals. How was a hoax possible in 1855, as it would have been an engineering feat to create a swimming monster in the lake? Furthermore, there were multiple eyewitness accounts years before the incident of 1855, many of which were dismissed on the grounds of insanity or darkness by the police.
Many modern locals still believe that there is a creature in the lake, one so large that it could take out an entire boat. There have been hundreds of unknown sightings throughout the 1900’s and early 2000’s that cannot be explained.
You’ll just have to head there to find out for yourself!
Try to Scare me is NOT intended as a guide to trespassing. We present these sites, locations and stories as local unwritten history and the legends surrounding it that are told to us while traveling. Although we provide locations, and some directions, these articles are intended to be read with the knowledge that some places cannot be visited. We do not encourage trespassing onto private property and do not encourage trespassing to obtain articles, videos, pictures and other evidence to be submitted. Trespassing is illegal and those who disregard this advice will (in most cases) be arrested and charged.