Did an Enormous Snake Once Attack a Town in Orange County, New York?

Local Lore and Legends of The Hudson Valley

One of the best things about the living in the Hudson Valley are the local lore and legends that give the history of the region a fun twist.

There are stories of Banshee on Bannerman Island, Bigfoot roaming the woods of Dutchess County and there's even a legend about a Ghost Train in Hyde Park carrying the body of Abraham Lincoln.

There are a handful of legends and folklore that we're all very familiar with, but sometimes we come across a local legend that takes us by surprise.

Have you heard the legend of Hoop Snake Hill?

Have You Heard of the Enormous Hoop Snake in Warwick, New York?

Legend states that the Hoop Snake dates back as far as the 1700 and many consider the Hoop Snake to be considered America's oldest terrestrial cryptid. 

For those that don't know, a cryptid is a creature that people believe exists, but the existence of said creature has yet to be proven. Think Bigfoot.

READ MORE: A Momma Sasquatch Allegedly Caught on Camera in Beacon, NY

A local twist to the Hoop Snake lore is a legend set in Orange County. More specifically in the Warwick region of the Hudson Valley. According to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation a frightening story about a Hoop Snake has been passed down for several generations.

The foundation writes:

 The hoop snake is a classic creature in American folklore, and in Warwick, the enormous snake is said to grasp its tail in its mouth, forming a hoop with its body, and roll down the hill overlooking Wickham Lake. The hoop snake rolls toward its victims, and at the final moment straightens out its body and lashes out with its spiked tail.

If you live in the Warwick area, we would love to hear if you were ever told this story of the Hoop Snake of Wickham Lake.

The Legend & Lore marker went up in Chester, New York back in 2023.

What's Your Favorite Hudson Valley Legend?

Do you have a favorite local legend? I think we can all agree the most popular is the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman.

Is there a legend that you've heard that doesn't get the recognition it deserves? You can nominate a local legend on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation website. The applications for the Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program begins on March 10th, 2025.

Head to WGPfoundation.org to learn more about the qualifications

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