From deep within the dark woods of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, emerges a creature… or does it? Is it real? Is it fantasy? Is it a figment of your imagination? Born from the tall tales of lumberjacks, the Hodag creature is a mythical beast with horns, spikes, and large, bulging eyes.
What started as a tale to sell lumber has become a legend that now inspires artists drawn to its captivating charm. This is especially true for those of us, like myself, who grew up with the Hodag woven into the landscape of everyday life.
So, let’s learn what is a Hodag, what its story is, and how this mystical creature continues to inspire and create connection.
What is a Hodag?
Folklorist Charles E. Brown described the Hodag as a ferocious beast. It emerges from the shadows, its head adorned with menacing horns and large, bulging eyes, sending shivers down your spine. Along the ridge of its back and tail run sharp, jagged spikes, making it a frightening sight. Close your eyes and listen, and you may hear its low, growling roar echo through the forest. Should you hear its roar, you may want to retreat as it is neither confirmed nor denied of its taste for human flesh.
Tales of the Hodag Mythical Creature
The Rise of the Hodag
Tales of the Hodag myth began, of all places, with lumberjacks. In the 1850s, the lumber industry in Wisconsin was booming, including in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Logging was not for the faint of heart, especially in the long and often deadly winters of Wisconsin. Despite the obstacles, logging became the backbone of many towns.
The lumber industry in Wisconsin began to decline in the 1890s for a variety of reasons, including poor logging practices and the 1893 financial crisis. Sawmills shut down, and loggers were out of work. The city of Rhinelander felt the sting of this economic loss and sought other industries to support its income.
The Hoax
To combat the downturn of the lumber industry in Rhinelander, E.S. “Gene” Shepard, a timber cruiser, hatched a plan in 1893. He claimed that he had captured a live Hodag. Imagine hearing this: a beast as large as a bear, with horns on its head and spikes running along its back. Shepherd also claimed he blew it up with dynamite and took a photograph of the remains. The picture made national news.
Three years later, Shepard claimed to have captured another Hodag and put it on display at the Oneida County Fair. Advertisements for the Centralia Lumber Company used illustrations of the Hodag. People were skeptical. I mean, wouldn’t you be, but Shepard had a plan for that, too.
To win over the minds of people, Shepard decided to show a captive Hodag at the 1896 Oneida County Fair. Luke Kearney, a woodcarver, carved his own Hodag. You may have thought you saw the Hodag move, but it was just an illusion, created by wires that made it appear to move its head.
It was a hit, and the story of Rhinelander’s Hodag creature gained momentum.
From Hoax to Hodag Myth
Shepard spun his tales to bring attention to Rhinelander and its logging industry, and he got his wish. It eventually drew the attention of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. When scientists announced plans to travel to Rhinelander to see the Hodag, the truth came out: the Hodag was a hoax, a creation of pulleys, wires, and wood.
Read more on the Hodag here in The Hodag and The Myth of the Hodag in Rhinelander.
The Hodag Beyond the Myth
We may know what a Hodag is and where it came from, but it’s more than just a mythical creature. Tales like the Hodag captivate us, mesmerizing us with the story. Our hearts believe before our minds will.
Creatures like the Hodag continue to live on in storytelling and art because it embraces the blending of the natural and supernatural.
Even after the truth came out, people were still fascinated by this mythical creature. Rhinelander adopted the Hodag mythical creature as its mascot, and today a statue of it stands outside the Chamber of Commerce in Rhinelander, as well as others throughout the city.
As a Wisconsin icon, there are festivals and local celebrations in its honor. A favorite of mine is the Hodag Heritage Festival: https://www.rhinelanderchamber.com/hodagheritagefestival/.
The story of the Hodag also stays alive through artistic interpretation. Artists like me continue to be enthralled by this creature and use it as inspiration.
The Hodag Through My Eyes
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, hearing the word Hodag was just as ordinary as hearing the word cow. It was part of the landscape, part of the vocabulary, and part of the mystery woven into everyday life.
It’s that unique blend of myth and familiarity that draws me in. The Hodag myth is both fantastical and deeply rooted, a creature that feels like it belongs in a medieval bestiary, but is yet undeniably ours.
The Hodag represents home in a way few creatures can. My artwork often bridges medieval tradition with regional folklore, and the Hodag is a perfect vessel for that union. It lets me honor Wisconsin’s storytelling heritage through the lens of woodcut textures, illuminated manuscripts, and old-world printmaking.
When I interpret the Hodag through my style of blending medieval artistry and printmaking, it becomes something timeless, an echo of the old world and the new. It acts as a bridge between the lore I grew up hearing and the artistic lineage I now choose to stand within.
Its presence in my work reminds me that mythmaking is alive, not preserved in dusty manuscripts but breathing in the forests around us. When I carve the Hodag’s horns or silhouette, it feels like I’m carving the bark of a tree I grew up under, reminiscent of the stories that Hodags slept against the trunks of trees.
Re-Emerging From the Woods
The story of the Hodag may have begun as a hoax, but its impact has grown far beyond that. Most notably, it sparks conversation. People see it and immediately tell their own Hodag stories or childhood memories. It creates a connection. It reminds us that folklore is not just entertainment; it weaves itself into the core of a community.
The Hodag is rare because it is a monster born from storytelling rather than fear. It carries a mischievous, playful energy that sets it apart from the darker and more foreboding creatures of folklore. It can be fearsome, yes, but it also holds a knowing grin that suggests it is in on the joke.
So when people ask, “What is a Hodag?” my answer is simple. It is Wisconsin personified. It is rugged, humorous, wild, and full of personality. It carries the scent of pine and campfire smoke. It feels like long drives through forest roads and the hush of winter nights. It continues to inspire my art.
If you enjoy folklore, medieval art, or the magic of mystical creatures, let’s stay connected. Be the first to know about new launches, lore insights, and behind-the-scenes work when you join the newsletter. You can also explore my collections at Modern Medieval Press.