I found this story lumped in with cryptids…so I present it as such. It is definitely more creepy pasta type stuff though. I will publish the full story of these dudes at the end… for now I just want you to appreciate the weirdness of this pen and ink drawing.
9×12 Pen and ink on watercolor paper of a group of armed Melonheads outside of Felt Mansion in Saugatuck Michigan.
Nothing but creepy. The worst part is that it is based on a real birth defect. It is allegedly at least partially true…and it can’t be as horrible as it seems. Then again, humans are cruel animals.
Here is the story.
The Melonheads of Felt Mansion
The legend of the Melon Heads in Saugatuck, Michigan, particularly associated with Felt Mansion, is a chilling tale that has been passed down through generations. This urban legend blends elements of local history, mystery, and horror.
The Legend:
According to the story, the Melon Heads are said to be small, humanoid creatures with large, bulbous heads. These beings are believed to inhabit the woods surrounding the Felt Mansion, which was originally built in 1928 by inventor and businessman Dorr E. Felt as a summer home for his family.
The legend varies, but one common version of the story involves a doctor named Dr. Crowe (or Dr. Crow), who was allegedly conducting secret, unethical experiments on children with hydrocephalus (a condition that causes an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain, leading to an enlarged head). The doctor supposedly kept these children in an isolated facility near the Felt Mansion, subjecting them to cruel treatments and experiments that left them deformed and mentally unstable.
The Escape:
The story continues that the children, driven to desperation by the horrific conditions, eventually rebelled against Dr. Crowe. They are said to have killed the doctor and escaped into the surrounding woods. Unable to integrate back into society due to their deformities and mental state, they are believed to have lived in hiding, becoming feral and developing a taste for violence.
Encounters and Sightings:
Local lore claims that the Melon Heads lurk in the forest, occasionally emerging to frighten or attack unsuspecting visitors. People have reported hearing strange noises, seeing shadowy figures with large heads, and even encountering the Melon Heads themselves. These stories are often shared around campfires and during ghost tours, adding to the eerie reputation of the Felt Mansion.
Historical Context:
While there is no verifiable evidence to support the existence of the Melon Heads or Dr. Crowe’s experiments, the legend persists as part of local folklore. The Felt Mansion itself has a rich history. Dorr E. Felt, who invented the Comptometer (an early mechanical calculator), built the mansion for his family. After his death and various changes in ownership, the mansion served different purposes, including as a seminary and a state police post.
In recent years, the mansion has been restored and is now a popular historical site and event venue. The legend of the Melon Heads, however, continues to captivate the imagination of locals and visitors alike, blending the lines between myth and reality.
It actually gets worse.
There were more times this may have happened.
Urban legends and eerie tales similar to the story of the Melon Heads at Felt Mansion can be found in various locations across the United States. Here are a few notable examples:
1. The Melon Heads of Ohio
- Location: Kirtland, Ohio
- Legend: Similar to the Michigan version, Ohio’s Melon Heads are said to be children who were subjected to horrific experiments at the hands of a Dr. Crowe (sometimes spelled Crow). These children escaped into the woods after killing the doctor and now haunt the area, attacking those who venture too close.
2. The Melon Heads of Connecticut
- Location: Fairfield County, Connecticut
- Legend: In Connecticut, the Melon Heads are believed to be descendants of colonial-era family lineages suffering from inbreeding, resulting in their distinctive large heads and feral behavior. They are said to live in secluded areas and occasionally terrorize passersby.
I may draw weird stuff, but at least I don’t actually do this messed up stuff. hahaha
