North Dakota’s Creepiest Legend Dates Back More Than 100 Years

Reader's Digest has named North Dakota's creepiest urban legend, and it's a one-eyed river monster said to haunt the Missouri River.

The legend is known as the Miniwashitu, which is described as a giant, red, hairy monster with a horn, only one eye and sharp spikes down its back. According to the outlet's survey of the scariest tale in each state, the monster is rarely seen. Now here's the real kicker: the rumor is that if you do look at it, you may go blind, insane, or even die.

Urban Legends & Monsters in North Dakota

You don't have to live in North Dakota long before you start hearing some pretty interesting and creepy urban legends. The Miniwashitu isn't the only scary story circulating in our state.

(Also Read: Haunted North Dakota: The State's Spookiest Locations - Part 1)

When I first moved here, I remember people telling me that the old Governor's mansion was haunted; of course, I had to go check it out myself. I didn't see any spirits or apparitions, but I will admit the attic area is pretty creepy.

I've also heard that Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is haunted. I'm not sure if real ghosts haunt the grounds, but it's definitely creepy now with the haunted house they do out there every year.

I've also heard about the Devils Lake Monster and the "Stairway to Hell" in Tagus. --It's actually a little disturbing how many urban legends, monsters, and superstitions we have here in the state of North Dakota.

I thought it might be interesting to see which of all the urban legends we have is the creepiest, and it just so happens that Reader's Digest conducted a survey and found the creepiest urban legend in each state.