The lore of Bigfoot has been the topic of many stovefront discussions in Willow Creek in the past quarter century.

The story began with the local Native Americans and their lore regarding a huge man-like creature and his family that dwell in the Bluff Creek area along the Klamath River.

The earliest known report of this man-animal was probably recorded in Crescent City in 1886. There were numerous reports from the area between Willow Creek and Happy Camp of large human-like creatures seven to eight feet tall and weighing from 350 to 800 lbs. These creatures were reported to be man-like, with a light covering of hair on their bodies. These prehistoric-looking man-apes faded away for many years only to appear again in 1935 when huge tracks were found in snow on a nearby mountain.

In 1958, in the Bluff Creek area, an entire new epic of Bigfoot was begun. Heavy equipment was moved, loaded drums were tossed about, foot prints were everywhere, and workers were followed about through the dense underbrush by foul-smelling, haunting visages.

In 1960, there were sightings by reliable people and over 50 sightings have taken place since that time.

Out of respect to the legend of Bigfoot, the community of Willow Creek has erected a large Bigfoot statue in the heart of town.

Willow Creek is known as the Gateway to Bigfoot Country.