The Greater Cleveland area is full of creepy local lore. Clevelanders have grown up hearing tales of Crybaby Bridge, the horrors of the Torso Murders, and the ghost of Joc-O-Sot that purportedly haunts Erie Street Cemetery (and possibly even Progressive Field). While many of our local legends are at least partially rooted in historical happenings, many are incredibly bizarre and their origins are purely inexplicable. Yet, these tales continue to circulate and captivate locals, rooting themselves deeper in local culture. One such story is of bizarre beings that dwell in the Kirtland area, and it is perhaps the most unusual example of Cleveland-area lore.

Kirtland is a city that loves to celebrate history.

This quaint community is one of the more charming cities in the Cleveland area. Not only is it historic, but its scenery is stupendous. One of its more remarkable attractions is a stunning canopy walk that takes visitors on a treetop tour.

And there's a long and fascinating history to appreciate here.

In 1831, Joseph Smith, publisher of The Book of Mormon and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, moved his church headquarters to this unlikely town, where it remained until 1838. Today, Kirtland is famous for being the site of the first Mormon Temple.

This sleepy community is serene and peaceful...

The town has a population of about 7,000, and its residents enjoy a slow and steady pace of life. With beautiful scenery and a friendly small town vibe, Kirtland offers a serene escape from the fast-paced adventure in Cleveland.

...For the most part.

Locals whisper of a man that once lived in a home off of Wisner Road. The man, Dr. Crowe, was either unlicensed or stripped of his medical license, and for good reason: he was devoid of ethics or morality.

Kirtland was exposed to pure evil when the doctor decided to open his home to orphans.

Some say that the doctor's wife was unable to conceive, while others say that they did, in fact, have a child, but it was born with hydrocephalus, a condition known colloquially as "water on the brain." This unfortunate fate causes the brain and skull to swell.

Strangely, the orphans that lived with Dr. Crowe also seemed to suffer of hydrocephalus. While there are no records of an orphanage existing in the area, stories of these poor souls' tormented silhouettes have been circulated for generations. Crowe does seem to be a local name though, as there are a number of individuals of a Crowe family interred in the local cemetery.

While the orphans all seemed to display symptoms of hydrocephalus, it seems that their ailments were not of natural circumstances.

The doctor is said to have performed awful experiments on the children, perhaps in an attempt to find a cure. He carried out painful procedures, such as injecting fluid into their brains, that caused the cranial malformation that is purportedly so prominent in the legendary "Melon Heads."

As the doctor's last threads of sanity broke away, the children also began to lose their minds.

After years of suffering, the children went mad. They revolted, killing the doctor and burning down his home. In another version of the story, some claim that he truly was a loving father to the children and was trying to find a cure, but upon his sudden death, the children—scared, mad, and rejected by society due to their appearance—went mad and burned down their home. Either way, the children were left without a home and retreated into the woods of Kirtland.

Years passed, yet sightings of these unusual individuals continued.

Feral and mad, these beings are said to be more creature than man and can be aggressive or evasive when encountered. Whether the local sightings are an encounter with the offspring of the original orphans or are the wandering spirits of tormented souls is undecided, but the legend hangs over the Kirtland area like a dark cloud.

The creepiest part? The myth may be rooted in a bit of truth.

According to Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, a 2009 compilation of incredible legends, there is evidence of a man named Kroh that performed experiments on children and eventually dropped them off at the side of the road in Kirtland. Another possible source of the legend is a young individual that lived in Kirtland in the 1950s and 60s. This boy did suffer from hydrocephalus, but he was not a victim of evil experiments. He was simply a local boy that liked to sneak up on people to scare them. He was eventually laid to rest in the Kirtland South Cemetery.

The question remains: is the legend a culmination of social occurrences that rooted themselves in local memory? Or could there truly have been a Dr. Crowe who carried out unspeakable deeds in the area?

While the legend may be a mere myth, it may be best to check out Kirtland's during the day time...

You know, just in case there are truly vengeful beings hanging about.

While Kirtland's scenery may be truly enchanting, the city's most haunting legend is anything but. Next time you find yourself in the area at night, you may catch yourself glancing around for suspicious silhouettes.

For a more lighthearted look at this area, check out the beautiful Farmpark in Kirtland.