Legendary Python of Peninsula

In the summer of 1944, a snake measuring between fifteen and twenty feet long made its appearance in Summit County, Ohio. Fondly dubbed the “Peninsula Python,” it wasn’t spotted in the town itself but rather in the surrounding rural areas. Despite this, its legendary status grew, and the catchy name endured.

The saga began when Clarence Mitchell noticed his dogs behaving unusually skittish for several days, reluctant to venture into the cornfields of his farm near Everett Swamp, just three and a half miles south of Peninsula. On Wednesday, June 8, 1944, Mitchell decided to investigate and unexpectedly came face-to-face with the enormous snake slithering in his cornfield near the Cuyahoga River. “He was thick as my thigh,” Mitchell later reported, “right here, and every bit of fifteen feet long—more like eighteen—sort of brownish spotted.”

Mitchell wasn’t alone in his encounter; others reported sightings as well, sparking a frenzy among reporters, sightseers, and locals eager to catch a glimpse of the python. Just as swiftly as it appeared, however, the snake vanished into obscurity.

Many attributed its existence to a tragic incident involving a circus truck. On June 18, 1942, a King Brothers Circus truck, loaded with tent canvas and driven by Cornelius Ford, lost control on a steep hill, crashed into the nearby Ira Cemetery along Ira-Hammond Corners Road, and overturned amidst the headstones. The driver was killed in the accident, leading some to speculate that there may have been more than just tents in the truck.

Parking/Trailhead

The Town of Peninsula and Trailhead Parking
Mill Street W
Peninsula, OH 44264
(41.243359, -81.549963)

The Village of Peninsula serves as a prominent gateway to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, strategically situated along the Cuyahoga River. This location is surrounded by some of Ohio’s most cherished parks and trails. One notable walking route is along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which leads south to Deep Lock Quarry Park. This site features an intriguing abandoned 19th-century Berea sandstone quarry that offers opportunities for exploration.

As you continue along the towpath trail, you can access various points of interest, including the Peninsula Python territory, Everett Swamp, the historic Everett Covered Bridge, and Indigo Lake.

For those heading north along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Peninsula, there is the Lonesome Lock, a site reputed to have ghostly legends associated with it.

Additionally, nearby attractions include the distinct trails available at Blue Hen Falls, accessible from the Boston Mill Visitor Center, and Brandywine Falls, both of which offer scenic views and hiking experiences.