Someone wants to make the Loveland Frogman our state cryptid
So look—we talk a lot about Cincinnati's unique identity, right? The chili wars, the historic architecture in Over-the-Rhine, the view from Eden Park. But sometimes, it's the *really* weird stuff that reminds you just how special Ohio, and by extension, our corner of it, truly is. I'm talking about the Loveland Frogman, please. This new bill floating around the Statehouse? It wants to make this amphibious dude Ohio's official state cryptid. If you’re not from around here, you might be scratching your head, but folks who grew up listening to late-night radio shows or camping out in the woods know exactly what I'm talking about.
### What’s the Story with This Frogman?
Lemme paint the picture for you: The Loveland Frogman is basically our local Bigfoot, but slimier and with frog eyes. The legend dates back to the 1950s, with a couple of alleged sightings, most famously by a police officer in Loveland back in '72. Picture this: a tall, bipedal creature, kinda frog-like, popping out near the Miami River. It's the kind of story that gets passed around bonfires out in Clermont County, or whispered about late at night in those old German homes up in the Western Hills. For a long time, it was just one of those fun, creepy local tales.
* The creature is described as standing about 4 feet tall. * It allegedly has leathery skin and a frog-like head. * The most famous encounter involved a police officer in Loveland in 1972. * Another sighting reportedly happened in 2016, adding a new chapter to the legend.
Now, a state cryptid might sound like a joke, but think about what it actually *means*. It's about owning our eccentricities, celebrating the stories that make us, us. It’s a nod to the fact that while we’re busy building new towers downtown and cheering on FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium, there's still a bit of that wild, untamed Ohio spirit bubbling just beneath the surface. It grounds us in that unique, slightly mysterious Midwestern charm.
Nati on the wire — if you know, you know.
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