Different states have their legends and folklore. Many residents will swear that beast-like creatures exist and aren’t only figments of imagination. Alaskan residents believe in Nantiinaq. Maryland is the home of the Snallygaster. Wisconsin also has its own humanoid: the Beast of Bray Road. This werewolf-like creature has terrorized people in southeastern Wisconsin for decades. Let’s learn more about the history behind this Wisconsin legend!
Where Is the Beast Of Bray Road?
Residents of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, have reported seeing a wolf-like creature for almost 100 years. Witnesses claim this beast has haunted Bray Road, a 17-mile stretch outside the city, since the 1930s. There’s nothing special about Bray Road. It’s a typical highway, except for the presence of this Wisconsin Werewolf.
Elkhorn lies southwest of Milwaukee and southeast of Madison. I-43 runs through the city. Bray Road is east of the city, stretching from Highway 12 in Elkhorn to Highway 11 in Bowers.
What Does the Beast Of Bray Road Look Like?
Witnesses report that the Beast of Bray Road is tall and hairy, standing six to seven feet tall. It has glowing eyes and long claws. This terrifying creature appears both humanlike and wolflike and carries a stench of rotting meat.
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When Was the First Encounter With the Beast Of Bray Road?
Linda Godfrey wrote The Beast of Bray Road after interviewing residents and researching previous encounters. In her research, she discovered that Mark Shackleman, a night watchman at a Catholic convent, encountered the Beast of Bray Road for the first time in 1936. He explained that it was wolf-like, but it stood upright.
The next night, Shackleman saw the beast again. It growled and stood six or seven feet tall, looking straight at the night watchman. Then, it walked away. Shackleman never saw the Beast of Bray Road again.
Have There Been Recent Sightings Of the Beast Of Bray Road?
It seemed this encounter was a single event, as the wolf-like creature disappeared and wasn’t seen again for more than 40 years. But in the 1980s and 90s, residents started reporting sightings again.
Lori Endrizzi claimed to see the beast while driving along Bray Road in 1989. It crouched on the side of the road and only stared at the car as she went past. Two years later, Doris Gipson drove along Bray Road on Halloween night. She hit something on the road and stopped to check out the damage when this beast came running at her. She jumped in the car and sped away before it grabbed her with its long claws. Gipson reported having claw marks on her trunk.
When Endrizzi’s and Gipson’s stories were published in the local newspaper, others came forward, sharing their encounters with the Beast of Bray Road. Since the 1990s, these reports have become fewer. But there are still locals who are certain the beast still haunts this stretch of highway in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Other Places To Stop Near Bray Road
If you’re traveling in southeast Wisconsin and want to explore Bray Road for yourself, be prepared for a sighting of the Wisconsin Werewolf. You may want to check out a few other sights in the area. Here are our suggestions!
Lake Geneva Ice Castles
Located south of Elkhorn is Lake Geneva. The ice castles here are spectacular. Guests can meet the winter fairy and snow queen, book a sleigh ride, walk through a grove of glowing trees, and race down an ice slide. A trip to the ice castles is truly a magical experience! It’s a place of happiness, laughter, and unforgettable memories. This adventure is only available seasonally, so check out the website for more information and to purchase tickets.
One happy visitor shared, “What a fantastic way to spend an evening in the winter! The ice castles are gorgeous, the ice slides are fun for people of all ages, and the concession stands sell the perfect items for the occasion…Our entire extended family had a great time!”
Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum
Nat 20 anyone? Located in Lake Geneva is the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum. In 1976, Dungeons & Dragons creator Gary Gygax opened the original shop. At the museum, guests can see vintage D&D memorabilia and participate in fantasy adventure fun for game nights. You’ll learn about the history of different logos, from the lizardman in the mid-70s to the TSR dragon logo in the 90s.
A D&D fan reviewed, “A friend and I decided to visit after joining our first DnD campaign. Before it started, we wanted to learn a bit about the game. The man who was there was super friendly, gave us a tour, and talked about the history of DnD and other board games…The staff was helpful and friendly; the place was small but packed with DnD memorabilia. We even got a map of DnD landmarks in Lake Geneva to explore later. Overall, it was a great experience and a good spot to meet up with friends and talk about DnD.”
Alpine Valley Resort
If you’re looking for a place to spend an entire day, Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn is a year-round resort with family fun activities, outdoor recreation, and lodging options. There’s an 18-hole golf course, an 18-hole disc golf course, and an 8.1-mile mountain bike track. Special events throughout the year include Oktoberfest, movie nights, glow-in-the-dark disc golf, murder mysteries, and more. During the winter, visitors enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the slopes.
One golfer shared, “I played 18 here, and the course was in great shape. The greens were fast, and the pin placement was challenging. I could not have asked for a better scenic view…it’s a gem of a course.”
Another guest wrote, “We had a really good time there! There was plenty of snow and slopes to ski and snowboard on. We stayed in the resort during the week for 2 days for less than $300. Our equipment (snowboard/boots rental) and lift tickets totaled $160 for 2 people. The resort doesn’t have a complimentary breakfast, but they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times.”
Walk Of Terror
The Walk of Terror is part of the Alpine Valley Resort. Like the ice castles, it’s open seasonally. It offers a frightening maze experience for visitors looking for a scare during the fall. The haunted attraction is 6,000 square feet. Locals love the experience; it was voted #1 on Haunted Wisconsin in 2021.
One Google reviewer shared, “The workers were in character the whole time. It was fun to watch my girls freak out inside the house. It’s very well done and timed nicely for some jump scares. Recommend for some laughs and screams.”
Wisconsin’s Legend Of the Beast Of Bray Road Isn’t Only Folklore For Many Who Live In the Badger State
If you live in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, the Beast of Bray Road isn’t only a legend. The terror of driving this stretch at night is very real. So, if you venture to southeast Wisconsin on your next road trip, you might want to avoid Bray Road after sunset unless you want to add to the list of encounters with this tall, hairy creature with long claws and a rotten meat stench.
Do you believe in folklore like the Beast of Bray Road?
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