The Werewolf of Grosse Pointe

The Michigan Dogman is the most famous cryptid in Michigan (aside from Bigfoot, who apparently likes to pop in from time to time.) But he isn’t the only lycan cryptid lurking in the Mitten State.

This cryptid falls squarely into the legend category with the likes of Melonheads and Giant Green Squirrels. It goes like this.

A girl named Genevieve lived in the area today known as Grosse Pointe with her father. She had plans on leaving her boyfriend to become a nun in Three Rivers, Canada. As you can imagine, her boyfriend, Jacques, didn’t want to lose her and sought out a witch (some say Native American medicine man.) He made a deal to trade his soul to the devil and in return, Genevieve wouldn’t leave.

By force, that is.

Jacques would turn into a werewolf and basically hold Genevieve hostage. (Because we all know that’s how true love works!)

Jacques attacked Genevieve, but she was able to stun him with a cross and flee to the Lake St. Clair where she had built a small alter with the Virgin Mary. She made it to the alter, collapsing at the feet of the statue and begged for help before passing out. Jacques closed in to claim his prize, but before he could grab her, he turned to stone, where he still stands today.

This tale is another that falls squarely into fiction. I didn’t find much on the origins of this legend, but a second werewolf legend I stumbled upon as I dug, talked about how in the 1500s, the French were terrified of werewolf attacks and often held trials to sus out if a person was one or not.

This has left me wondering: what is it about Michigan and werewolves? Lake monsters make sense, but lycans? What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

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