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The Legend of the Piasa
Alton,
IL ,
USA
Latitude & Longitude:
38° 53' 52.44",
-90° 11' 56.76"
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Illinois State
Historical Marker
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In 1673 Jacques Marquette reported that he and fellow French explorer Louis Jolliet discovered a painting of what was probably two 'Water Monsters' on the bluffs of the Mississippi River near present-day Alton. By 1700 those pictographic creatures were no longer visible. In 1836 the novelist John Russell described an image cut into the bluff of a legendary dragon-like creature with wings. According to Russell, the creature was called the Piasa, 'The Bird That Devours Men.' That version of the pictograph as well as myths about the Piasa have become prominent in folklore.
Last updated: 2/14/2015 15:17:00 |
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The Legend of the Piasa Historical Marker Location Map, Alton, Illinois Map
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