Ria Beri ‘27
EE Editor-in-Chief
If you’ve ever driven down a dark, winding back road in Fairfield County, you might’ve heard whispers about something lurking in the trees. Some say they’re tiny, pale figures with bulging heads and glowing eyes. Others claim they dart between the woods near Velvet Street, better known as “Snake Hill Road.” These mysterious creatures are the Melon Heads, one of Connecticut’s strangest and most unsettling legends.
The story has circulated for decades, especially in towns like Trumbull, Shelton, and Monroe. According to local folklore, the Melon Heads are small, humanoid beings with oversized heads who live deep in the forest, emerging only at night to terrify travelers who wander too close. Sightings vary – some describe them as children, others as full-grown adults – but all versions agree on one thing: they’re said to be the twisted remnants of a dark past.
There are a few competing origin stories. One version claims that the Melon Heads were once patients at a mental asylum that burned down decades ago. The survivors, left disfigured and traumatized, supposedly retreated into the woods, where years of isolation caused them to become something less than human. Another version blames a shadowy figure known as Dr. Crow, a scientist rumored to have conducted experiments on children that led to their strange appearance. There’s also the theory that generations of inbreeding among reclusive families created the Melon Heads’ distinctive look.
Of course, none of these tales are supported by historical evidence. There’s no record of any asylum in the area, and “Dr. Crow” seems to exist only in the legend. But that hasn’t stopped the stories from spreading. The mystery is exactly what keeps the legend alive; every fall, groups of teens dare each other to drive down Velvet Street at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of something strange. On TikTok and YouTube, videos titled “We Found the Melon Heads” rack up thousands of views from thrill-seekers chasing a scare.
Beyond the fear factor, the Melon Heads reveal something about Connecticut itself. Our quiet, suburban towns can feel ordinary on the surface, but local legends like this remind us that every place has its own secrets and stories. The mix of curiosity, fear, and tradition keeps people talking, generation after generation.
Whether the Melon Heads are monsters, myths, or just a mirror of small-town imagination, they’ve earned a lasting place in Connecticut’s spooky folklore. So the next time you find yourself driving down a lonely road after dark, keep your eyes on the trees. You never know who, or what, might be watching.
Feature Photo Courtesy: Raz’s Midnight Macabre