The Jersey Devil: America's Oldest Monster Explained

About this episode

For nearly three hundred years, something strange has been stalking the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey: a winged, hooved, horse-headed creature first reported in 1735 and seen by hundreds in a single terrifying week in January 1909. Schools closed, police fired their revolvers, and a Philadelphia dime museum cashed in on the chaos with a painted kangaroo. But beneath the hoaxes and newspaper hysteria, witnesses with nothing to gain kept coming out of those woods with the same description. This episode examines the historical, scientific, and supernatural theories behind America's oldest cryptid legend. Episode Sponsor: If you’ve been waiting to start therapy, BetterHelp works with more than 125 health plan networks, and eligible members have an average copay of just $23 per session with insurance. Don’t have insurance or don't live in the United States? You can still get 10% off your first month. Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/HIDDENHISTORY to explore your payment options.