Tales From the Silver State: Iconic Nevada Folklore

The art of the urban legend is tied to the intrinsic and historically long-lasting desire to understand the unexplainable. For centuries, communities have thrived off of sharing stories of a macabre nature that utilizes mystery as a way to explain that which we cannot or wish not to fully understand. Nevada, home to vast untamed deserts and rugged mountains, is no stranger to its very own folktales that have served to add to its lore throughout its history as a state. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic tales of Nevada folklore.

Tahoe Tessie

Perhaps one of the most beloved folktales in Nevada, Tahoe Tessie is said to have been first spotted in the mid-18th century and originated in stories shared by members of the Washoe and Paiute tribes. Over 160 years later, Tahoe’s Tessie would make headlines in the San Francisco Chronicle on July 12, 1984, when a pair of hikers reported seeing a 17-foot, snake-like, hump-backed creature surface above the water three times before diving down again. The water-residing creature has been spotted enough times throughout history that Tessie is now recognized as a true Tahoe celebrity, even appearing as a stuffed animal or on souvenirs!

Pyramid Lake Babies

Sitting just 35 miles northeast of Reno, Pyramid Lake, with its iconic pyramid-shaped rock formation, is the largest remaining remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan that spanned across Nevada at the end of the last ice age. This deep, ancient body of water has housed inhabitants for more than 4,000 years, 600 of which are said to have been to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. 

With that much history, it’s no wonder it earned some folklore over time–its most famous one being about the curse in the lake. Legends suggest that the curse stems from tales of babies born prematurely or with disabilities being cast into the depths of the lake, and now their souls haunt the area. Locals believe the souls of the deceased babies are responsible for mysterious disappearances on the lake, even claiming that those who hear the baby’s cries will be left with bad luck; however, those who respect the lake might just be allowed to leave unscathed. 

Area 51

One of Nevada’s most well-known mysteries is without a doubt, Area 51. Located 85 miles north of Las Vegas, this top-secret site was initially established during the Cold War for aircraft testing, however, the veil of secrecy surrounding its post-war operations left many wondering what might be hiding behind their tightly sealed walls. With its first acknowledged by the CIA in 2013, Area 51 had long been the focus of salacious rumors and conspiracies, some of which caught the public’s attention more than others. 

In 1989, a former employee named Robert Lazar even claimed to have worked on alien technology during his time at the top-secret base. The site was also formally accused and hit with an official citizen suit in 1996 by past employees, for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in the storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste resulting in the subsequent illness and death of at least two former employees. To this day, Area 51 remains the center of many conspiracy theories, with curious minds convinced that its ousting in 2013 held just the tip of the iceberg in regard to the secrets its walls still carry.  

Cecil the Serpent

The legend of the Walker Lake serpent, Cecil, was reportedly first written about in the early-to-mid 1800s when Nevada was first being explored by settlers. According to local legend, the native Paiute tribe told settlers harrowing tales of a giant snake-like creature that ruled the lake and devoured members of the tribe. Cecil is commonly described as a thirty-foot long, crocodile-like beast–with its feet near its neck, a long tail, and being covered in scales. Cecil is said to have been spotted many times over the years, cementing his place as a tried-and-true Nevada legend, even once securing him his very own float in the Nevada Day parade. 

Today, stories of Cecil have taken a more playful turn, claiming that he enjoys marshmallows and that tossing one out into the lake will appease him enough to leave you alone. So, if you ever find yourself at Walker Lake, you might want to pack a bag of marshmallows–just in case!

Virginia City Ghosts

Virginia City might be best known for its roots as a famous mining town, however, it is its haunted present that keeps it alive and well. This town, once booming with miners in search of silver ore, saw its fair share of tragedy–frequent fires, mining disasters, and harsh living conditions plagued its dwindling community for years. By 1930, the population had dwindled to about 500 people, with at least one person being buried daily. 

This history of death provided a foundation for rumors of its haunted nature, with it today being viewed as one of the most haunted spots in Nevada. Today, ghost tours offer visitors the chance to tour the town and its most haunted locations, such as the cemetery and the Washoe Club, where spirits are said to roam freely.

The Nevada Triangle

Nevada claims to have its very own Bermuda Triangle— a 25,000 square-mile area in the Northern Atlantic best known for its considerable amount of disappearances— dubbed the “Nevada Triangle.” Stretching between Reno, Las Vegas, and Fresno, CA, this area is said to have seen over 2000 crashes and disappearances since the 1960s. 

The most well-known case of this is that of the legendary adventurer and pilot, Steve Fossett, who was lost to the triangle in 2007 and sparked a massive search. Despite dozens of search and rescue crews setting out after he was first announced as missing, any signs of Fossett and the crash would not be discovered until September of 2008, when a hiker found some of his belongings at Ritter Ridge. It wasn’t until over a month later that Fossett’s body was found half a mile away from the crash site. 

This particular case, along with the large number of crash sites in the area, has sparked many conspiracies over the years–ranging from the influence of Area 51 to portals opening up in the sky. Whatever the cause, the Nevada Triangle has certainly earned its reputation among Nevada’s most mystifying mysteries.

Whether it’s the eerie cries of phantom babies in the night, military bases hiding proof of aliens, or scaled beasts lurking in the deepest darkest depths of our lakes–Nevada’s many myths and legends come directly from the influence of our state’s rich history and innate human curiosity. Where past Nevadans may have struggled to find answers to strange occurrences, we can gaze upon those same mysteries with fresh eyes, and a logical explanation. Of course, there may always be an explanation for something, but who among us can ever truly know for certain? So, the next time you are exploring our beloved state, make sure to keep one eye out–because behind every perfectly logical justification, something far stranger might be lurking.