White River

Newport, Arkansas has a version of the Loch Ness Monster which is widely accepted as being real by the townspeople. The White River Monster even has his own game preserve!

From about 1915 to the late 1970's, residents of Newport reported seeing a monster in the White River. This monster, nicknamed "Whitey", was described as being snake-like and at least thirty feet long. Witnesses reported that it made a loud bellowing noise and had a spiny backbone. Many reports were made by fisherman and campers along the river. In 1971, two men reported that they saw three-toed tracks along the muddy river banks and a places where the trees and vegetation had been broken because of the monster's size. 

The creature was  photographed in 1971 by Cloyce Warren of the White River Lumber Company.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this legend happened in 1973. The Arkansas State Legislature created the White River Monster Refuge along the area of the White River that runs adjacent to Jacksonport State Park. They enacted a resolution which made it illegal to "molest, kill, trample, or harm the White River Monster while he is in the retreat". 

There are many explanations for Whitey. Biologists generally believe Whitey was actually a lost elephant seal who somehow migrated incorrectly and ended up in Newport. However, some townspeople believe that it was an elaborate plot to gain attention by farmers in the area.

The monster hasn't been seen much in recent years but many of the people living around the White River still believe he is there. Some think that he has died because the river has gotten shallower.  There is a lot of monster memorabilia around the White River (T-shirts, etc.) so even if you don't see the real monster, you can get a T-shirt that says you're brave enough to look for him.