The Black River Monster Sightings In Watertown and Lyons Falls, NY

In 1911, a “sea serpent” later to be known as the Black River Monster was sighted by “sober” citizens from the Court Street Bridge.  A short article detailing the events was written in the Syracuse Post-Standard.  More information, including the article, can be viewed here.

Sightings of the mythical and elusive creature, believed in 1911 to be someone’s former pet alligator, and in later years, a giant fresh-water sturgeon, continued, but the only known other publicized sighting was in Lyons Falls and was carried by the AP Wire throughout New York State as follows.  Link to one of the many printings via the Evening Leader, Corning NY, June 16, 1951, but transcribed as follows:

Black River Monster Still Puzzler To Scientists And Anglers

Lyons Falls – The Black River Monster – if there is one – presumably is happy today.  Those scientists and anglers failed to prove whether he is fish or fiction.

The special expedition, comprised of a botanist, a geologist, a conservationist, and 16 fisher-men from here and Utica, gave up yesterday after four and a half hours of angling for “The Thing” in a driving rainstorm.

Lines of heavy fish hooks, strung, across the river, and a series of nets hung from boats came up with nothing.  Hundreds of spectators jammed river banks and a small bridge.

The mysterious “monster” was reported seen last week about three miles upstream from this Lewis County Village by Wash Mellick, a local fisherman.  He said it was 15 feet long with a round and tapered body.  Other fisherman reported similar creatures in the same locality five and 20 years ago.

Some think it may be a fresh-water sturgeon.  Some of these fish grow to be 24 feet long and live 300 years.

While it remains a mystery as to what was actually in the water or whether there were any further sightings over the years, finding more information or articles is challenging due to a 1986 movie released by the same name.