An Illinois Man Noticed The Sidewalk Sinking – And Then Discovered A Strange 1840s Secret Underfoot

Out on the sidewalk of Alton, Illinois, Gary Machens is carrying out repairs to his historic property. But while dismantling a stone wall, he spots something unexpected lurking on the other side. Crawling through a hole, Gary discovers a 180-year-old secret concealed beneath the city streets – and sets about solving the mystery for good.

Something Hidden Below

For months, Gary and his wife Beth had lived in the house – completely unaware of this bizarre sight hidden beneath the ground. Yet they’d had to take a closer look after discovering that their sidewalk was beginning to collapse. Though what the couple found has opened a door into Alton’s past and inspired an array of fascinating speculation!

A Baffling Discovery

Now, historians are weighing in on the mystery – trying to understand this strange secret under the Machens’ home. But what exactly did Gary stumble upon that fateful day? And how did a set of crumbling paving stones lead to one of the most astonishing discoveries that the city has ever seen?

No Stranger To Mysteries

The people of Alton are certainly no strangers to mystery and intrigue. In fact, the region has been party to weird and sinister secrets since before Europeans arrived in the Americas. As early as the 1200s, perhaps, indigenous people daubed a huge mural on the limestone cliffs close to where the city now stands.

What Does It Mean?

The mural depicted a dragon-like creature known as the Piasa Bird, though it was destroyed by quarrying in the 19th century. Despite that, historic accounts of the winged monster have continued to inspire theories and speculation over the years. And today, a modern interpretation of the artwork stands near the city – reminding Alton of its oldest mystery.