Snallygaster Points North Frederick Maryland
Snallygaster is an “oicotype” from the Frederick County region of Maryland, USA.
Most likely corrupted German “schnell geiste”, a Pennsylvania Dutch lore term meaning “quick spirit” often associated with those draughts that slam doors, topple lightweight objects, or scatter papers.
The visual or physical appearance of the Snallygaster is confusing since there are several variations, some of oral tradition, having roots in the dragonlore of the early settlers.
The Snallygaster more often has similarities to dragons, green scaled, and winged.
Snallygaster is a monstrous bird that preys on children. Literary accounts of the Snallygaster were printed in local newspapers. These narratives were most likely invented tales by two rival editors. To end the rivalry caused the Snallygaster demise; sent plummeting headlong into a boiling vat of whiskey. Such a just end for this unseen spirit. Of interest to scholars is the nature of the various tales likely invented, those which were patterned after Dragonlore, the absence of Native American influence (owing to the region once inhabited by Leni Lenape, Susquehannocks, Cherokee and other Northeast tribes), and its connection to Pennsylvania Dutch lore.
The Snallygaster is a legendary creature rooted in the folklore of Frederick County, Maryland. The term is believed to be a corruption of the German “Schneller Geist,” meaning “quick spirit,” reflecting the area’s early German immigrant influences. Descriptions of the Snallygaster vary, but it is commonly depicted as a monstrous, dragon-like bird with green scales and wings, preying on children. Some accounts suggest it possesses a metallic beak lined with razor-sharp teeth and occasionally features octopus-like tentacles. The creature was said to swoop silently from the sky to capture its victims, and seven-pointed stars were painted on barns to ward it off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/Snallygaster
In the early 1900s, local newspapers published sensationalized stories about the Snallygaster, describing it as having “enormous wings, a long pointed bill, claws like steel hooks, and an eye in the center of its forehead,” with screeches “like a locomotive whistle.” These reports were later revealed to be hoaxes by newspaper editors aiming to boost readership.
The Snallygaster legend has persisted into modern times, inspiring various cultural references. In 2011, an annual beer festival named “Snallygaster” was established in Washington, D.C. The creature has also appeared in video games like “Fallout 76” and is featured in J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Additionally, the American Snallygaster Museum opened in 2021 in Libertytown, Maryland, dedicated to preserving and exploring the legend.
The Snallygaster remains a fascinating aspect of Maryland’s cultural history, blending early settler superstitions with modern interpretations.
