There are several Urban Legends that people have heard.  Like the guy in your back seat just waiting to pounce, the razor blade in Halloween candy, so only go to places where you know the people who live there, or the idea that you shouldn't flash your headlights at someone who doesn't have theirs on because then you'd become the target of a possible murder.

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Urban Legends.

But when these stories are told enough, and they have gone back enough years, are they somewhat based on some truth?  Maybe?  Probably not.. but possibly.

Here are some of the Minnesota Urban Legends.  Some you may have heard, and some you may not have.  Only in Your State helped out with this.

KENSINGTON RUNESTONE

Honestly, I have never heard this one, but apparently I am in the minority.  Here's the gist:

The Kensington Runestone was originally discovered in 1898 by Olof Ohman. Inscribed with mysterious runic markings, it was first alleged to be left behind by Scandinavian explorers in the 1300s. But after extensive study, the stone is largely accepted as a 19th century hoax. 

You can see this "artifact" at the Runestone Museum in Alexandria.

HAIRY MAN OF VERGAS

This one would creep me out if I were on any of the hiking trails in the area.  You can check out the entire story of this Urban Legend here.  

The Hairy Man of Vergas Trails has been fascinating - or horrifying, depending on who you are - people in the area for decades.

DEAD MAN'S TRAIL

I feel like I must be living under a rock or just very sheltered.  I haven't heard of this one either.

The most commonly told urban legend, however, is that of a Native American who lost her baby in the water of the rushing river. When she saw that her baby had been washed away, she cursed the "thief" river. Today, it is said that she wanders the trail looking for her lost child. If you listen closely, you can hear her cries

Seriously, what is the deal?  Here's another "famous" story out of Minnesota that I have never heard of.  Maybe it's because I usually try and stay away from creepy stories?  I don't like horror movies and I'm basically a wuss when it comes to that stuff.  But here it is.

GREY CLOUD ISLAND

Basically it's about a truck.  One that shows up and follows people.  Reminds me of the movie Duel.  That was about some crazed/demonic semi truck driver... or not... that was terrorizing some dude.  Anyway, here's the story:

...many claim to have been followed by a mysterious white pickup truck that later disappears. Another common sighting is of a man wearing a flannel shirt holding a hunting rifle. He appears at random and seems to be translucent. Many naysayers claim these are merely locals going about their business, but still the rumors persist.

LAKE PEPIN SERPENT

This one I have heard, and it's one of the reason I don't want anything to do with this lake.  Yuck! I might be on my own island, but I don't like anything to do with serpents of any kind.

Pepie, as she is called by some, has been spotted swimming around the lake for decades. But if this is one of your favorite swimming spots, don’t worry. Pepie is friendly. So friendly, in fact, that there have been festivals held in her honor.

And finally - THIS ONE! YIKES!  Have you heard of a Wendigo?  Well, now you have.  This thing apparently feasts on human flesh.

He's often described as gigantic - up to 15 feet tall - and some say he's too thin to be seen from the side. But when you view him head-on, you'll be met with horror. This legend derives from similar Native American tales, but you have to wonder: if so many people tell the same story, couldn't there be some kernel of truth in it?

And now I'm never going in the woods again.  NOPE!

LOOK: Classic Halloween costumes from 1865 to today

Stacker scoured the archives to find 50 photos of Halloween costumes from 1865 to today.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: How Halloween has changed in the past 100 years

Stacker compiled a list of ways that Halloween has changed over the last 100 years, from how we celebrate it on the day to the costumes we wear trick-or-treating. We’ve included events, inventions, and trends that changed the ways that Halloween was celebrated over time. Many of these traditions were phased out over time. But just like fake blood in a carpet, every bit of Halloween’s history left an impression we can see traces of today.

Gallery Credit: Brit McGinnis

 

 

 

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