Sycamore Creek Giant

The Sycamore Creek Giant was an alleged giant skeleton that was claimed to have been excavated somewhere along the Verde Valley Railroad line near the Sycamore Creek in Yavapai County, Arizona during 1913, described in press reports as having an estimated height of at least 8 feet (2.44 m.) with a correspondingly large skull. The skeleton was said to have been in the possession of C. W. Corbin, a rail conductor, and the site of the find had also contained beads that were thought to be from the Toltec period (900-1521 AD), but that these had been taken away by the rail labourers. No further information has been found regarding the claim at this time.

Press Coverage

• "ANCIENT BURYING GROUND UNCOVERED; Skeletons Found Indicate That Race Of Giants Once Lives on Banks of Sycamore Creek", Weekly Journal Miner (Prescott, AZ): 5, 12 Feb. 1913, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85032923/1913-02-12/ed-1/seq-5/, "A prehistoric graveyard on Sycamore creek, where the grade of the Verde railway passes through, has been uncovered by a crew of laborers under the direction of Conductor C. W. Corbin, in performing certain excavations to improve the roadway. There has thus been revealed a very interesting situation that prevailed at some time or another, in the physical make-up of a race as is reflected in the massive remains that have been recovered, and which are indisputable of a giant type of humanity that is bewildering to those of this generation. The skull of a human is in the possession of Mr. Corbin together with a portion of the frame, that would indicate one who in life must have attained a height of at least eight feet. The sides of the face have been severed, but when placed in their natural position, on the head of the living they were so massive as to shield the features like unto a perfect mask. The bones of the legs likewise are of greater length and heavier than any of this day. That a prehistoric burying place has been determined is proven in the finding of a handful of beads, which archaeologists trace to the Toltec period. These precious ornaments were kept by the Mexican laborers, and cannot be secured. Mr. Corbin, however, verifies the discovery made, and at the time did not appreciate what their possession meant, else would have secured the the lot."