In 2017, Chicago Started Reporting Something Huge in the Sky

A woman was walking her dog near Oz Park in Chicago when she noticed something unusual beside the path.

At first, she couldn’t make sense of what she was looking at. The figure was enormous, standing roughly seven feet tall, with what appeared to be huge wings folded against its body.

According to her account, the creature seemed to be watching her. Her dog, normally full of energy, suddenly became frightened and refused to approach.

Before she could get a better look, the figure spread its wings and flew away. It was April 7, 2017, and Chicago was about to experience a series of strange sightings that would attract attention far beyond the city.

Something Was Flying Over Chicago

Reports of unusual winged figures had circulated around Chicago before, but during 2017, the sightings became much more frequent. Witnesses described enormous dark shapes passing over streets, parks and buildings. Some reported wings resembling those of a giant bat, while others remembered long legs, broad shoulders or a body that looked almost human.

Several people initially believed they were watching a large bird. That impression changed when they noticed its unusual proportions or movements.

The stories attracted the attention of paranormal researcher Lon Strickler, who began collecting accounts from people claiming to have encountered the mysterious figures. By the end of 2017, Strickler had gathered 55 reports from the Chicago area. The creature soon acquired a nickname borrowed from another famous American mystery: the Chicago Mothman.

A Security Guard Spots Something Overhead

One of the witnesses was John Amitrano, who worked security at The Owl, a bar in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Amitrano reported seeing an unusual flying figure beneath an airplane passing overhead.

He compared its appearance to a pterodactyl, with large wings and powerful-looking legs hanging beneath its body. What caught his attention was the way it flew. Instead of moving like a familiar bird, the figure appeared to rise and fall through the air in an unusual pattern.

Amitrano watched until it disappeared from sight, leaving him wondering what he had seen. His account became one of several named witness reports that brought wider attention to the sightings.

A Strange Sound Near the Harbor

On August 21, 2017, thousands of Chicago residents were outside watching a partial solar eclipse. Near Northerly Island, another unusual encounter reportedly took place.

A witness described hearing a loud squealing noise near Burnham Harbor. The sound reminded them of a truck braking suddenly.

When it happened again, they looked toward the water and reportedly spotted an enormous black figure flying low above the docks. It resembled a giant bat, but the witness also described what appeared to be long arms and legs. The figure moved through the harbor area before disappearing.

For investigators following the sightings, the location was interesting. Several encounters had been reported near Lake Michigan, including waterfront paths and harbors.

More Witnesses Come Forward

Chicago public radio station WBEZ eventually investigated the reports through its Curious City program. The investigation included accounts from several people who said they had seen unusual flying figures around Chicago. One witness, Erin Drain, described seeing a strange object moving slowly above West Town in August.

Another witness, identified as Jeff, reported an encounter near Fulton Market in October. He initially thought he was watching a bird, but its movements began to seem increasingly unusual. The sightings came from different neighborhoods and involved people going about their ordinary routines.

Some happened during the day, while others occurred after dark. The figures were sometimes seen high overhead and occasionally much closer to the ground. The growing collection of reports attracted people interested in strange creatures, especially those familiar with an older American legend.

The Legend of the Mothman

The name Mothman originated decades earlier in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. During 1966 and 1967, residents reported encounters with a mysterious winged creature, sometimes described as having glowing red eyes and a body resembling a tall human. The Point Pleasant sightings became famous following the collapse of the Silver Bridge in December 1967, a tragedy that killed 46 people.

Over time, stories about the creature became connected with the disaster. Some people came to believe its appearances might have been a warning. Chicago’s reported visitor reminded people of the original Mothman, especially because witnesses sometimes described an almost human shape.

But the setting was very different. Instead of appearing along quiet country roads, the creature was reportedly flying over one of America’s largest cities, surrounded by apartment buildings, traffic and millions of residents.

The Lakefront Sightings

As investigators compared reports, they noticed that several encounters happened near water. Figures were reportedly seen moving toward Lake Michigan, crossing sections of the shoreline or flying near harbors. Chicago’s waterfront stretches for miles, with parks, beaches and marinas offering open views of the sky.

Some witnesses reported seeing the figure close to buildings or rooftops. Others described watching it pass across open areas near the lake.

These locations gave investigators specific places to revisit and compare with the original accounts. People interested in the sightings began paying closer attention to the lakefront, hoping they might catch a glimpse of whatever had frightened or puzzled the witnesses.

Chicago’s Newest Urban Legend

The reports continued attracting attention after 2017, turning the Chicago Mothman into a familiar name among paranormal enthusiasts. Witness accounts appeared in podcasts, articles and discussions devoted to unexplained creatures. The sightings also gave Chicago an unusual addition to its collection of local legends.

People began looking differently at familiar places such as Oz Park, Logan Square and the waterfront, wondering what might have passed overhead without anyone noticing. Some even began watching the skies themselves, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious creature.

Chicago has thousands of security cameras pointed at its streets.

Maybe a few of them should be pointed up.