West Hickory Giant

The West Hickory Giant was an alleged giant skeleton that was claimed to have been excavated at the property of William Thompson near West Hickory, Pennsylvania during 1870. It was described in a newspaper report of the Oil City Times as measuring 18 feet (5.48 m.) in height and adorned with an iron helmet, compared to those "found among the ruins of Nineveh," and nine foot (2.5 m.) sword. The skeleton and associated artefacts were reportedly taken to Tionesta, Pennslyvania and put on display, after which they were to have been shipped to New York. No further information has been found regarding the claim at this time.

Press Coverage

• "THE CARDIFF GIANT OUTDONE.", Elk County Advocate (Ridgway, PA): 1, 15 Jan. 1870, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026259/1870-01-15/ed-1/seq-1/ 
  

  The Oil City Times of Friday is responsible for the following: On Tuesday morning last, while Mr. Wm. Thompson, assisted by Robert R. Smith, was engaged in making an excavation near the house of the former, about half a mile north of West Hickory, preparatory to erecting a derrick, they exhumed an enormous helmet of iron, which was corroded with dust. Further digging brought to light a sword which measured nine feet in length. Curiosity incited them to enlarge the hole, and after some little time they discovered the bones of two enormous feet. Following up the “lead” they had so unexpectedly struck, in a few hours’ time they had unearthed a well-preserved skeleton of an enormous giant, belonging to a species of the human family which probably inhabited this and other parts of the world at that time of which the Bible speaks, when it says, “ And there were some giants in those days.” The helmet is said to be of the shape of those found among the ruins of Nineveh. The bones of the skeleton are remarkably white. The teeth are all in their places, and all of them are double, and of extraordinary size. These relics have been taken to Tionesta, where they are visited by large numbers of people daily. When his giantship was in the flesh, he must have stood eighteen feet in his stockings. These remarkable relics will be forwarded to New York early next week. The joints of the skeleton are now being glued together. These remains were found about twelve feet below the surface of a mound which had been thrown up probably centuries ago, and which was not more than three feet above the level of the ground around it. Here is another nut for antiquarians to crack.