The Legend of Ogopogo
Before the white man came to the Massawippi Valley, the Indians knew of a
lake monster which they called "N'ha-a-tik". This monster lived in a cave close to Quebec Lodge at a place called Black
Point.
Indians would never paddle a canoe or raft near this area because often a
storm would spring up and from the water would rise N'ha-a-tik to claim another life. If it was necessary to go within
the area, it was better to carry a small animal and throw it overboard as a sacrifice to appease the monster.
The first white settlers heard of N'ha-a-tik from the Indians. These
sturdy citizens were not superstitious; however, many of them saw the monster and experienced the phenomena that were rather
unusual.
One instance tells of two horses swimming behind a boat and mysteriously
being pulled beneath the waves; another of a girl and her horse getting the scare of their lives as a huge black serpent-like
creature slithered off the rocks into the lake.
In 1942, at a banquet in Mead Lodge, a little song was composed and sung,
and from it a meaningless word, "Ogopogo" caught on and has become as famous as Scotland's Loch Ness Monster.
In the past thirty years many reputable persons have seen Ogopogo,
but many of these sightings are from the roads high above the lake, it is almost impossible to photograph anything one might
see.
In a two year period, twenty-one reputable citizens has seen our friendly
lake monster and the general descriptions all agree; at least twenty feet long, with a heavy snake's body, a horse's or goat's
head - well bearded, traveling at a fast speed or lazily sunning itself.
This is about all we know of Ogopogo, perhaps someday we may see him
ourselves, but in the meantime, it's nice to know he's there keeping a benevolent eye on his favourite swimming hole.