The Wisconsin alligator(s)

From Manitowoc County Historical Society 

‘Alligator Still Seen in Area’

When one thinks of an alligator, you probably picture the Everglades in Florida or an alligator encaged at a zoo. You probably wouldn’t think of coming across an alligator in the wild in Wisconsin. In 1966 however, residents of Clarks Mills were convinced an alligator was among them and just a year later that fear would resurface with reports of another in Door County.

It all started one day when a young boy came running through the streets of Clarks Mills claiming an alligator was “trying to eat his little sister”. The little girl was unharmed by the gator other than be terrified by it. Once away from the gator she reported to her mother that the animal had its tail straight up in the air and its jaws wide open as if it was ready to eat her.

The announcement by the young boy led to searches around the area for the alligator. An alligator hunt was organized which drew farmers with their shotguns and rifles. The search even brought experienced alligator hunters to the area. The search for the animal went on for weeks but only traces of an alligator were found. The actual alligator was never found.

Two weeks before the incident with the young boy and his sister, local fishermen fishing in Lower Cato Falls said they saw either a large catfish or an alligator in the river. Due to the proximity of the two sightings it is quite possible the alligator could have wandered from one place to another. In the weeks and months following the sighting in Clarks Mills, sightings would be reported around the area.

The story made headlines across the state from Appleton to Rhinelander to Waukesha. Not only did the story make statewide headlines but it also attracted national headlines, since alligators are supposed to be in Wisconsin. Postcards began coming in from around the country to a local reporter who had been writing on the events occurring about the alligator. The senders of the postcards became very creative. One said, “Am spending the winter here but will see you again next spring”. The sender of that postcard was from Miami, Florida and signed it “Guess Who”. They even put a little green alligator in the corner.

The story was brought to life again in July 1967 when an alligator was photographed on a beach in Door County by a conservation officer. The gator was eventually captured. Residents of Clarks Mills began to worry again after this sighting and capture in Door County that the alligator which had terrified the young boy might still be around.

So, where did the alligator from Clarks Mills come from? According to an article in the Appleton Post Crescent from August 1966 three small alligators who were being raised as pets disappeared from their owner’s backyard a few months back. It was speculated that the one which terrified the young children may have been one of them.

https://www.manitowoccountyhistory.org/stories/alligator

Link from Detritus of Empire and Borepatch.

(What about the other two? Frozen in a Wisconsin winter? Hopped the Orange Blossom Special to Florida? Inquiring minds want to know.)