Frame 352 of the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film, which allegedly depicts a Sasquatch walking in Northern California.

Frame 352 of the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film, which allegedly depicts a Sasquatch walking in Northern California.

Bigfoot eludes state recognition yet again

A twice-failed bill would have named the mythic creature as the official state cryptid.

The mythical Sasquatch, an integral piece of Pacific Northwest folklore, got another shot at recognition this year with a bill that would name the creature Washington’s official state cryptid. But just as it has done to so many explorers and scientists, the furry, bipedal creature once again evaded legislative capture.

In case you didn’t know, a cryptid is a creature of folklore or myth whose existence has not been verified.

Senate Bill 5816 was introduced last year by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, but has not made it past the committee stage in either of the past two legislative sessions. The bill is one of two pieces of Bigfoot legislation, along with another Rivers bill that would create a Bigfoot license plate.

The Sasquatch would join other local greats like the apple, the steelhead trout and the bluebunch wheatgrass as Washington state emblems.

Rivers said a third-grader in her district asked her to create the bill, but a public hearing was postponed until the senator could bring the child to Olympia to testify. The bill missed the cutoff date for committee hearings and will have to wait until next year to earn another chance at passing.

Bigfoot’s relationship with the Pacific Northwest has been prominent since long before Rivers filed bills addressing the mysterious hominid.

Native American and First Nations tribes in the United States and Canada have told of various creatures resembling Sasquatch, and the name itself is derived from a word in the Halkomelem language spoken by tribes in British Columbia.

According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, Washington state is home to more Sasquatch sightings than any other state or province in North America, by a substantial margin.

Washington has another connection to the popular myth through the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, where Bigfoot allegedly walks across the screen. The encounter was filmed in Northern California by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, locals of the Yakima Valley.

Patterson died of cancer in 1972 and always maintained the authenticity of the film, as has Gimlin, 86, who resides today in Union Gap.

Gimlin said he would be excited to see the Sasquatch become an official symbol of his home state, callingit a “special being.” Gimlin today is something of a legend to members Sasquatch believers, as he continues to tour North America, signing autographs and speaking to thousands of attendees at Bigfoot festivals.

Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, cited the Patterson-Gimlin film as “evidence” of Bigfoot’s existence when speaking in the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 29. Chase serves as a member of the committee, which heard Rivers’ license plate bill.

Although SB 5816 would classify Sasquatch as the official state “cryptid” or “crypto-animal,” Gimlin said he doesn’t see the creatures as animals at all, and likened them instead to hominid “beings,” similar to humans.

“I’m no scientist,” Gimlin said. “I just believe that we have a ways to go to understand what they really are.”

Washington state has already honored Bigfoot at least once, as former Gov. Dan Evans in 1970 proclaimed “the Great Sasquatch” to be state monster. Evans wrote in his proclamation that Washington was the only state capable of claiming the creature to be its own.

Gimlin made reference to the vast number of brands, images and merchandise in Washington state that utilize the Bigfoot name or likeness, cementing the cryptid’s iconic status in the Pacific Northwest. He said if the state could come together to bring official recognition to the legend, it would put a smile on his face.

“That would make me, as an old man, very very happy,” Gimlin said. “I think it means a lot to Washington state.”

This report was produced by the Olympia bureau of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

The state Capitol on April 18. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
New state law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police or other public safety options

Gov. Ferguson signs bill that provides local sales tax option

t
Man, 18, dies in shooting at Federal Way apartments

An 11-year-old injured by a stray bullet in May 17 incident

Officer Richard “Rick” Klein being inducted as a Federal Way officer in Sept. 2018. File photo.
Federal Way settles in harassment case against police officer

Lawsuit alleges that officer sexually harassed a student during basic training academy.

Demographics of crime victims in King County from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Courtesy photo.
King Co. 2024 crime stats show more women victims

County prosecutor supports more funding for crime victims.

Photo courtesy of the Washington State Governor’s Office
John Houston, right, as Gov. Bob Ferguson signs the bill into law.
New state law inspired by Renton family’s fight for land justice

The Houston Eminent Domain Fairness Act is a new state law 60 years in the making.

t
Three Renton residents die in Okanogan County climbing fall

The cause of the accident is presumed to be an anchor failure while rappelling.

t
Ex-Auburn officer convicted of murder is moved to out-of-state prison

Jeffrey Nelson is serving a sentence of 16 years and eight months.

t
Renton preps downtown for hosting World Cup action

Legacy Square will be used for public events and watch parties during the World Cup.

Leesa Manion. COURTESY PHOTO, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
King County shots fired incidents drop dramatically in first quarter

Lowest numbers in first quarter since 2021 for shots fired, shot injuries and homicides

t
3 dead in Newcastle townhouse identified

King County Sheriff’s Office has not released any information on the April 24 shooting.

File Photo
Child, 12, dead, mother arrested after Enumclaw fatal crash

King County deputies say the Auburn woman hit a ditch, causing the car to go airborne and roll.

Dash Point State Park. Washington State Parks photo
WA Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45

The increase would take effect on Oct. 1, 2025.