Dragon-like Creature Seen in the Rock River Near Rockford, Illinois

While taking a walk along the Rock River in Rockford over the weekend, I noticed something strange poking out of the water just north of the Auburn Street bridge.

A Green Dragon Lurking in the Rock River

If you've been along the riverbanks recently, or been out on the Rock for a boat ride, you may have spotted something that looks like it belongs in a fantasy movie.

A green dragon appears to be rising from the water, complete with eyeballs, back spines, a red tongue, and even a bushy tail. While it looks like a mythical river monster, the body is actually made from a piece of driftwood sticking out of the water.

Johnny Vincent

Someone clearly decided that an ordinary piece of wood wasn't interesting enough and transformed it into a colorful attraction for boaters passing by.

Meet Rockford's 'Rockness Monster'

The creature that I just saw for the first time on the Rock River has a history much longer than I realized.

According to Steven Lucas, who posted the creature's history on the Rock River Homeowners Association Facebook page, the tradition of painting driftwood in the river began in 1983, when Jim "Pickle" Anderson created the first dragon, known as Nessie the River Dragon, at the Spring Creek Rock Bar.

Over the years, river floods have carried Nessie away, taking pieces of the creation with them. When no trees were available for his "dragon," Pickle once built one from 2x12 lumber and secured it with a pole.