Glocester Ghoul: Legend of Fiendish Cryptid Still Breathing Fire in Rhode Island

The fearsome creature was first spotted in 1833 and residents believe it still haunts the woods

August 9, 2024

Rhode Island folklore is filled with stories about cryptids, a mysterious creature that residents have claimed to see but whose existence has never been proven.

Reports of the legendary, fire-breathing Glocester Ghoul were first documented in 1833 by Albert Hicks, a notorious pirate who was searching for Capt. Kidd’s lost treasure.

Some believe the beast was a hellhound sent to guard Kidd’s treasure. Others said it was only a bear wandering through the woods.

Get the full story in the reel below.

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Allison Magnus Allison Magnus is the Social Media & Digital Producer for Rhode Island PBS. She runs all of the stations’ social media accounts and YouTube channels, creating graphics, thumbnails, reels, and trending promotional content. Allison graduated from The University of Rhode Island with a dual Film and English degree. She has been writing, directing, editing, and producing all forms of media content from short films to social media videos for almost a decade now. Previously, Allison was a radio host and general manager for WRIU 90.3 FM. In her free time, you can find Allison traveling around the world documenting her explorations.