Michael Rugg was only 5 years old when he witnessed this stuff of legends.
Rugg, a camper with his family, had wandered off into the thick woods of Humboldt County. There he saw it: a large, manlike figure, covered in hair. The mysterious cryptidRugg was gone when he returned to the spot with his parents. However, this event ignited a passion that would last a lifetime.
As curator of the Bigfoot Discovery MuseumRugg, a Santa Cruz County resident since 1958 has a large collection of books, videos, and artifacts about the hairy hominid. He has had it on display since 2004.
The museum is a simple red, two-room shack situated on the side Highway 9 near Felton. One glance at the detailed sighting charts, primate skulls and huge footprint molds, as well as loads of Bigfoot comics, statues and other memorabilia, reveals a Sasquatchian arsenal that could flatter Bigfoot.
Rugg attempted to get credit as an undergraduate at Stanford University in 1960s to study cryptozoology, a quasi-scientific field that includes the legend of Sasquatch, but was denied. To the dismay of his professor, he wrote a 37-page paper about the creature for one class. Rugg knew that the work was not a joke.
He stated that members of learning communities and teaching communities need to be open-minded and open minded to new ideas. You shouldn’t be a stifle to people because you don’t agree with their views.
The museum has been a favorite among the locals. Rugg had to close the shop for 10 months because of COVID-19. There was concern that it might not reopen. Rugg was able to continue his mortgage payments thanks to a GoFundMe that his stepson and niece set up.
Rugg splits his time now between Capitola, where he spends his time with his 28-year-old wife, and his small home behind the quirky museum, which is open Friday through Monday from 1-5 p.m. to 5.
We went to Felton for Rugg to discuss his sightings, the environment, Santa Cruz’ weirdo reputation, and our conversation with Rugg.
The Bigfoot Discovery Museum, 5497 Highway 9 in Felton.
(Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz)
This interview was edited for clarity.
Watch out! What did your family think about Bigfoot encounters?
Michael Rugg: My parents and I were camping in Humboldt County. My dad used to own a sawmill near Laytonville. This is where the Eel River runs east. He also knew the best fishing holes so we would always go up there to fish.
He woke us up at 5:30 am and said he was going to make breakfast. The fish he caught that night was what he was using. I looked at my frying pan and saw the dead fish. I didn’t want to eat that as breakfast at age 5. I asked him to make pancakes, but he refused. I left when they were not looking. Boycotted breakfast and followed a river up about 100 meters from my parents.
I followed the river’s edge and looked downstream, then upstream. Then I turned my back towards the forest to see this huge, tall, hairy man standing there. After making eye contact for three minutes, my mom shouted for me. I returned to them, saying, Come check out that big hairy man. It was gone by the moment we got back.
They said, “Dont worry, it’s probably just an ordinary tramp,” which they called a homeless individual. They said that sometimes they stayed in the woods and didn’t shave or bathe as much, and that is probably what you saw. I was 10 feet tall and covered with hair when I discovered that a tramp is someone who is covered in hair.
Check out: Have any evidence been found around here?
Rugg: Once, I was part of an investigation in this area. Sometimes, we would wait in the middle at night in the backyards of the people conducting the investigation. We had some success with this: We recorded their screams many times and got a video. The video is distant and only shows a shape passing through trees. But if you had been there and smelled it, you’d agree that we got a video.
It is difficult to describe the smell. It smells like a bunch skunks covered in dead animals. It is very bad. They don’t always smell this bad. They only release it if they are worried about a possible encounter with another human being. Because they are aware that we have weapons of destruction and that we shoot first, and then ask questions later.
Be on the lookout for habitat conservation as one of the missions you have listed on your website. How does environmental conservation play a part in Bigfoot Discovery Museum’s mission?
Rugg: The teddy bear was a symbol of the for a while. Conservation movementIn the days of Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s assistants tied an old bear to a tree while on a hunting trip. Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear because he didnt want a tired, old bear to his guns. He would only shoot one that could kill him. The teddy bear was the name given to the stuffed animals.
(Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz)
Bigfoot is a symbol of that, in a way. The woods are their home. They don’t want us messing with them, and neither should we. It’s also in line with our actions. It’s all about conservation and awareness about wildlife and how we interact. All of these animals deserve our protection, even if they are not visible.
Nature conservation is an integral part what we do here. This is a great thing for children. We want to teach children about conservation and reverence for wildlife. Many of them will be introduced to the concept. It turns them on to cryptozoology. This will then turn them on biology. Then they will be interested in environmental issues. There are many issues that this place can connect to.
Lookout: How was the idea for the Museum born?
Rugg: The museum was a function many things. This is what I tried to study at Stanford college. They wouldn’t allow me. I did manage to write a paper on the subject. I still have it. It was supposed to have seven to twelve pages on any topic you chose. My professor denied that it was possible. I said that this was asking the question. I just wanted to provide evidence to show that it is worth further investigation. This is not something to ignore or dismiss completely.
After I showed him a bibliography, he said I could do it. Ivan SandersonBook [one of the earliest serious publications arguing for the possible existence of such creatures]He said that he would not expect a passing score, but he agreed to accept it. Instead of seven to 12 pages, he gave me 37 pages with illustrations. I received a C because I had done so much work. It is possible that the professor did not actually read it. This could have been a teaching assistant. The note says, “I don’t think you’ve made a claim; this is still within the realm of UFOs.” The only case I was trying make was that it was worthy of study. UFOs are a good example of something that is not worthy of study. The government still talks about them. To this day.
I was also the Stanford Chaparral’s humor magazine editor. I was interested in men’s adventure magazines. I was a buddy who wrote a story about a pair of men who travel to California’s Trinity Alps to find Bigfoot.
Funny enough, this story predicted that Patterson-Gimlin movieBecause later in 1967, just like the story, these two men got the first footage of Bigfoot North California. This was it!
(Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz)
Check out: Are there other cryptids of interest?
Rugg: Although I have always been interested in Loch Ness Monsters, I doubt I will be traveling to Scotland. There is a possibility that a larger marine creature could have entered the lake, as there is an ocean connection.
However, I believe that I know the answer to all lake monsters. You know the Diagram of the big fish eating smaller fish, which eats smaller fishSo, what about? In a body of water that is not accessible to the land, the largest fish will grow. The lake’s other life will be consumed and therefore will not grow.
The largest fish in the lake will eventually become a giant. These giant fish can be intimidating to people who don’t have the same size as them. It is likely that it is the highest ranking in the eating hierarchy.
Take a look at this: Did Santa Cruz’s bizarreness influence the museum?
Rugg: Since eighth grade, I have lived in Santa Cruz. I’ve been influenced by its weirdness since then. It has had a long reputation as an offbeat, edgy city. You’ve seen The Lost Boys.
I thought that this was in keeping the tradition. Also, my parents passed it to me so I have this property. It is directly across from Henry Cowell state park. You couldn’t ask for a better spot.
There are many locals who visit the area to see it. They often bring someone from out of town because it is something you won’t find anywhere else. That’s cool, and I love that Santa Cruz can offer that.
(Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz)
Consider: What are some things you don’t think people know about Bigfoot and cryptozoology?
Rugg: There are many things we don’t know about. I am trying to make it clear that refusing to study something simply because most people don’t believe in it is not the right way to go. Academics, especially those who are part of learning communities and teaching communities should be open to new ideas. It is not okay to judge people based on their beliefs.