On a quiet, moonlit night in Wisconsin, something lurks in the shadows along Bray Road—a creature of legend feared by locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. As the third most haunted road in the U.S, Bray Road lies at the heart of Wisconsin’s rural landscape. Tales of a mysterious beast, rumored to roam the countryside near Elkhorn, Wisconsin, have captivated locals for decades, becoming one of America’s most intriguing legends. At SIXT, we’re delving into the origins, sightings, and theories around the Beast of Bray Road.
Elkhorn, Wisconsin, also known as “Christmas Card Town” due to its charming, postcard-like buildings, seems an unlikely setting for such an extraordinary tale. Populated by around 6,500 residents, this peaceful town became the focus of national attention in the 1990s when Wisconsin-based journalist Linda Godfrey uncovered the complex story of the Beast of Bray Road. Although sightings of the creature date back to the late 1930s, Godfrey’s research and books brought widespread attention to the phenomenon, inspiring countless investigators as well as books and movies.
While popularized in the late 20th century, the first sighting of the beast was over 50 years earlier. In 1936, Mark Shackleman, a night watchman at St. Coletta School in Wisconsin, had an encounter that formed the foundations for local legend. While patrolling a nearby burial ground, Shackleman noticed a large, shadowy figure digging into one of the mounds. At first glance, it appeared to be a wolf, but as it stood upright, Shackleman realized he was face-to-face with something far stranger and greater in stature. The creature rose to over six feet tall, with a muscular, human-like body covered in thick fur, long nails, a grizzly face, and glowing eyes. The air was thick with the stench of rotting meat. Shackleman instinctively backed away, watching as the creature slunk into the darkness. The beast returned the next night, growling a terrifying half-human, half-animal snarl before disappearing once again. Though never seen again by the watchman, the story passed into local folklore, only to resurface decades later with a new wave of sightings.
In the 1980s and 1990s, sightings of the creature began to emerge. Some accounts have witnessed the creature standing on all fours, running through local corn fields, pursuing animals, and trying to invade local homes.
In the fall of 1989, one of the first sightings in over 50 years occurred when Lori Endrizzi was driving home after her shift as manager of a local bar and grill. As she made her way down Bray Road in the early morning hours, she noticed a large figure crouched by the roadside. As she continued driving, she looked back and caught a glimpse of the beast with roadkill clenched in its long claws. Unwavered by the shine from the headlights, the creature stood strong, locking eyes with Endrizzi before she sped away. A similar notable incident occurred in 1992 when high school student, Tom Brichta, reported a beast-like figure colliding with his car. Similarly, in 1999 a young woman driving near Bray Road claimed her car struck something. Upon inspecting the road, she saw a towering wolf-like creature standing on two legs. As she sped away, the beast jumped onto her car but slid off in the rainfall.
Despite years of research and numerous investigations, the true nature of the Beast of Bray Road remains a mystery. While skeptics often attribute the sightings to mistaken identification or elaborate hoaxes, those who believe in the creature continue to seek proof of its existence. Over time, the legend has become an integral part of local folklore. Whether the story stems from misinterpretation, mythology, or the presence of an unknown entity, it continues to captivate the imagination. As long as the woods and fields of Wisconsin remain unsurveyed, the legend will persist, keeping both believers and skeptics intrigued. For those curious enough to explore this mystery firsthand, a trip down Bray Road in one of our rental cars may prove to be an exciting adventure. But be sure to stay vigilant—you never know what might be hiding in the dark corners of rural Wisconsin.
