Van Meter Visitor is a legendary winged bat-like cryptid creature with a glowing horn on its forehead that allegedly appeared in Van Meter, Iowa, in late September 1903. For 5 straight nights, the 9-foot-tall being terrorized the town, causing residents to fire upon it with guns that had no effect. The intruder and a possible "accomplice" eventually retreated into an abandoned coal mine, and the townsfolk sealed off the entrance, but the identity of the creature remains a mystery, with explanations ranging from undiscovered species to misidentified birds or an elaborate hoax. 

Possible Geographic Habitat

• Van Meter Visitor supposedly lives in an abandoned coal mine near Van Meter, Iowa. According to the legend, after terrorizing the town in 1903, the creature retreated into the mine, and the townsfolk later sealed off the entrance. 
• Location: Said to have emerged from and returned to an abandoned coal mine near the town of Van Meter, Iowa.

Description

• Creature was described as bat-like with giant wings, long beak, unholy stench, and a blunt horn on its forehead that emitted a bright blinding light.

History and Cultural Significance

• During the sightings in 1903, the townsfolk reportedly chased the creature to the mine entrance. There, they saw 2 creatures, which then disappeared back into the mine, which was cordoned off to contain the creature(s), and a physical depression now marks the spot where the entrance used to be. 
• Legend remains a strong part of local lore, with the town even holding an annual festival to commemorate the intruder.
• September 1903: A businessman spotted the creature perched on a building, followed by multiple sightings over several consecutive nights. 
• Human Response: Townsfolk tried to shoot the entity, but gunfire was ineffective. 
• Disappearance: On the final night, the mysterious stranger reportedly fled into an abandoned coal mine, followed by a second creature. 
• Sealing the Mine: Locals decided to block the entrance to the mine, but neither creature was ever seen again.

Theories and Explanations

• Misidentified Animals: Some theories suggest the sightings could be misidentified large birds, like sandhill cranes; turkey vultures; or California condors. 
• Undiscovered Species: Others suggest it may be an undiscovered or trapped species, possibly released from the mine. 
• Hoax: Possibility of foolery or local embellishment has also been raised.
• Paranormal: Some believe it could be a paranormal entity or something from another dimension. 

Modern Relevance

• Popular Culture: Remains a fascinating and enduring local legend, attracting paranormal enthusiasts; documentarians; and visitors. 
• Van Meter Visitor Festival: Town of Van Meter even celebrates the legend with an annual festival, complete with paranormal speakers and vendors. 
• Continued Sightings: While largely forgotten for decades, similar creature sightings, sometimes linked to the original legend, have continued to be reported in the area and nearby Boone, Iowa.