By Riley Fontana
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The Dover Demon is a legendary creature that has mystified and intrigued Massachusetts residents since it was initially sighted in 1977. The Dover Demon is one of the most commonly searched cryptids in America and local to the area. It is most frequently described as having a large, misshapen head and glowing orange eyes, though one eyewitness reported green eyes.
Renowned historian and professional sports announcer John Horrigan noted that the first documented sighting of the Dover Demon was made by teenager William Bartlett. Bartlett claimed to have encountered a creature with "tendril-like fingers" while on a broken wall on Farm Street in Dover. Within the following 24 hours, two other teenagers also reported seeing the creature. Loren Coleman, as mentioned by Horrigan, affectionately bestowed the moniker "Dover Demon" upon it.
While there have been only sporadic sightings since those initial three, the allure of searching for this enigmatic entity remains undiminished. In 2009, it garnered attention through its appearance on the Animal Planet show "Lost Tapes" and the Travel Channel's "Most Unexplained." Additionally, it has been featured in numerous books dedicated to the subjects of cryptozoology and unexplained phenomena in New England.
Since its first appearance in 1997, the Dover Demon has evolved into a cultural phenomenon and an iconic symbol of Massachusetts. Various figures and memorabilia have been created in its likeness. Due to the scarcity of recent sightings, depictions and descriptions of the Dover Demon continue to portray it as a hairless, alien-like entity. It appears to be a benign creature that flees from those who claim to have seen it, rendering it an ideal local cryptid.
Notably, the Dover Demon has not been substantiated by any credible reports since April 1977. Many skeptics contend that it may have been a misidentified owl or the result of teenagers playing pranks during a school vacation. However, a substantial number of individuals choose to entertain the notion that an unknown and harmless presence dwells in the woods of Dover or that it may have been an extraterrestrial being that has since returned to its place of origin. The enigma surrounding the Dover Demon persists, particularly in regards to its authenticity and continued existence.
