Cryptids are animals that some believe may exist but are not believed to exist by mainstream science. Think Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster, but here in the Midlands of SC, we have a few urban legend creatures of our own — some that still receive international attention.

Let’s take a quick look at these beings that have been making hairs stand on end for decades.

The Lake Murray Monster “Messie” | Somewhere in the depths of the 763 billion gallons of water in Lake Murray swims a creature (or creatures) that have been sparking urban legends for nearly 100 years. First spotted in 1933, just four years after the lake was created, the Lake Murray Monster gained more attention in 1980 when something attacked Buddy and Shirley Browning while they were out fishing.

Since then, many locals have reported sightings of “Messie” and the legend has grown. What could it be? Some think a landlocked surgeon, some say it’s a giant garfish, and others think it could be an alligator. One thing is for sure, there are a lot of unexpected things within Lake Murray.

The Lizard Man |The Lizard Man took the world by storm in the summer of 1988 when teenager Chris Davis spotted a seven-foot-tall green monster with red eyes in Scape Ore Swamp, just south of Bishopville.

Two weeks later, the Lizard Man reportedly chewed and scratched the Ford truck of a couple who drove near the swamp. By August of 1988, Lizard Man was an international celebrity and calls came in from around the world to the Lee County Sheriff’s office. The search was on when a million-dollar reward for its capture was offered by radio station WCOS. Governor Carroll Campbell called the Lizard Man a “very elusive sort of fellow,” something it still is to this day.

In fact, Soda Citizens Gavin Jackson and A. T. Shire, hosts of SC Public Radio podcast "South of Spooky," recently went on a swamp search. Tune in here to see what they found.

Have any Cola cryptid stories of your own? We’d love to hear them.