CHARLOTTE — North Carolina’s northwestern neighbors are getting a spooky new license plate design that pays homage to the state’s legendary “cryptids,” but what would it look like if North Carolina made its own version?
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles unveiled the license plate this week, designed by the late artist Jesse Corlis. The license plate design features nine cryptids, including some of the more famous ones like Mothman, Bigfoot, Batboy, and the Flatwoods Monster. It also features some of the more obscure WV folklore legends, like Ogua, the Grafton Monster, and Sheepsquatch.
But while these hellacious nightmares might haunt West Virginia’s “Almost Heaven” landscape, it’s not the only state around here where cryptids may call home. Venture out into the North Carolina woods, and you just might feel the supernatural gaze of one of the Tar Heel State’s famed fiends.
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So if North Carolina decided to follow West Virginia’s lead, here are some of the mythical monsters that could be included in the design.
The Beast of Bladenboro - According to FolkBestiary.com, this cryptid gained attention in the 1950s after reports of animals found mutilated in Bladen County. Bladenboro celebrates the legend with its annual Beast Fest.
The Wampus Cat - Wander around Iredell County and the North Carolina Piedmont, and you might see what locals described as a massive mountain lion with glowing eyes, according to North Carolina Cryptids.
‘Willie’ The Wilmington Sea Serpent - The coastal waters might hide more than shipwrecks and rocks. This Wilmington-area legend says a large, snake-like creature lives among those in the Cape Fear region.
The Moon-Eyed People - This early Cherokee legend says these Appalachian inhabitants can’t see in the daytime.
Normie - Dozens have claimed that Lake Norman is the secret home to Charlotte’s own “Loch Ness Monster.”
The Cape Lookout Sea Monster - Fishermen, sailors, and lighthouse keepers near Cape Lookout shared stories of a huge serpent sliding through the water. Ships would disappear without explanation, but not every instance could be blamed on the weather.
Hootin Annie - Is she a witch? Or is she a banshee? The locals in the mountains of Haywood County say this mysterious woman can be heard crying through the woods, specifically calling from a mountain ridge to campers down below.
The Boojum - Also in the mountains of Haywood County, locals say this 8-foot-tall, hairy beast is mostly harmless.
Mermaids - These aren’t your Disney princesses. Mermaid Point is a landmark in Chatham County with a legend dating back to the 1700s. People living near the Cape Fear River claimed these mysteriously beautiful sea creatures would come from the Atlantic Ocean to rinse the salt from their hair.
Bigfoot - Let’s be honest here: Bigfoot is well-traveled. He’s been spotted in pretty much every forest across the United States, including North Carolina’s Uwharrie National Forest. But does his origin come from a Charlotte costume shop?
Right now, there’s no plan in North Carolina to design a specific license plate for the state’s cryptids. But if you want the North Carolina General Assembly to consider it or any other kind of special plate, you can file an application at this link.