Sasquatch research represents one of cryptozoology's most enduring pursuits, with dedicated investigators continuing to document evidence of these elusive creatures. A particularly noteworthy researcher has contributed over six decades to this field, beginning his journey in 1958 as a 15-year-old high school student. His connection to the famous Jerry Crew incident—which introduced the term "Bigfoot" to print media—provides historical significance to his ongoing investigations.

With thirteen published books and continuous field research, Tom Cantrell approaches his work with a straightforward philosophy regarding evidence and proof. Rather than insisting on definitive conclusions, he presents documented findings and allows individuals to form their own interpretations based on the accumulated data. This methodical approach has earned respect even among skeptics who appreciate his commitment to transparent research protocols and evidence preservation.

Key Takeaways

Tom Cantrell has investigated Sasquatch for over 65 years, beginning with the 1958 incident that first popularized the term "Bigfoot" in print media.
Cantrell's background in logging engineering provided unique opportunities to conduct field research in the Olympic Peninsula, considered prime Sasquatch territory.

Tom Cantrell's Background

Key Accomplishments

Tom Cantrell stands as a prominent researcher in the field of Sasquatch investigations with over six decades of experience. His journey began in 1958 as a high school sophomore when he first learned about mysterious 16-inch footprints discovered by road worker Jerry Crew in Northern California. This encounter sparked a lifelong passion for investigating unexplained phenomena.

After serving nine years in the Navy on submarines, Cantrell settled in Washington state in 1968, specifically choosing the Olympic Peninsula—an area he identifies as "prime real estate" for Sasquatch sightings. His military background and subsequent education in logging engineering provided him with valuable skills for fieldwork in remote wilderness areas.

Literary Works

Cantrell has authored thirteen books focused on Sasquatch research. These publications document his extensive fieldwork and firsthand encounters over several decades. His works can be found on his official website, TomCantrell.com, where readers can access his complete collection.

His writing approach emphasizes direct reporting of observed phenomena without embellishment. As he often states, "I report it as I see it," acknowledging that while evidence can be presented, determining what constitutes proof remains a personal threshold for each individual.

Investigation Methodology

Cantrell employs a methodical approach to his research, combining:

Field investigations - Particularly in the Pacific Northwest
Historical documentation - Including analysis of early Sasquatch reports like the 1958 case that first appeared in print using the term "Bigfoot"
Environmental knowledge - Leveraging his logging engineering expertise to navigate remote areas

His professional background proved unexpectedly valuable to his research. While working as a logging consultant, Cantrell would spend extended periods alone in remote wilderness areas documenting stream crossings and environmental factors. These solitary sessions in Sasquatch territory provided unique observation opportunities that informed his investigative work.

Cantrell maintains that researchers can only "offer evidence" rather than definitive proof, allowing individuals to reach their own conclusions based on the available information.

Historical Context of Sasquatch Research

First Documented Sightings in 1958

On August 25, 1958, a significant event occurred that would shape Sasquatch research for decades to come. A road construction worker discovered 16-inch footprints surrounding his equipment on a job site in Northern California. The tracks appeared to come down from the mountain, circle around the machinery, and continue upward before disappearing into the wilderness. This wasn't an isolated incident—the tracks reappeared every few days, suggesting ongoing activity.

The mysterious visitor demonstrated remarkable strength during these appearances. Objects including a fuel barrel, a heavy excavator tire, and even a 200+ pound steel culvert pipe (24 inches in diameter and 20 feet long) were found tossed into a nearby canyon. These displays suggested the entity wasn't pleased with the construction work disrupting the area.

Jerry Crew's Pivotal Discovery

Jerry Crew, the road builder who first spotted the tracks, took the initiative to document the evidence by creating plaster casts of the footprints. Initially, local newspaper editor Andrew Genzoli dismissed reports when contacted by a crew member's wife, suggesting they were mistaken about "wild men wandering the mountains."

The situation changed when Crew traveled to Eureka and brought his plaster casts with him. Genzoli arranged to meet with Crew and photographed him holding the large footprint casts. These photographs would become iconic in Sasquatch research history. The documentation of this evidence marked a turning point, shifting the phenomenon from campfire stories to something worthy of scientific inquiry.

Coining of the "Bigfoot" Term

The newspaper article published on October 4, 1958—over a month after the initial sightings—contained something historically significant beyond just reporting the incident. This article marked the first use in print of the term "Bigfoot" to describe the mysterious forest creature. Editor Andrew Genzoli introduced this term, which would quickly become the standard name in American culture.

After appearing in local papers, wire services picked up the story the following day, spreading it nationwide. This wider distribution ignited public curiosity and interest in the phenomenon. The name "Bigfoot" resonated with the public and established itself as the predominant term for the creature in North America.

Media's Role in Research Development

Following the initial reports, renowned paleontologist Ivan T. Sanderson conducted investigations into the incidents and published his findings in popular magazines of the era, including Argosy and True. During the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, these magazines served as the primary information distribution network—essentially functioning as the "internet" of their time.

Tom Cantrell's Personal Journey

Early Fascination with Sasquatch

Tom Cantrell first became intrigued by Sasquatch in 1958 when he was just 15 years old. As a sophomore in high school, he read about unusual 16-inch tracks discovered by a road construction worker named Jerry Crew in Northern California. These tracks appeared repeatedly around construction equipment, suggesting something large was visiting the site.

The incident gained significant attention when a newspaper editor named Andrew Janelli published an article on October 4, 1958—marking the first time the term "Bigfoot" appeared in print. This story quickly spread through wire services, catching young Tom's attention and igniting his curiosity.

Renowned paleontologist Ian P. Sanderson investigated the incident and wrote articles for magazines like Argosy and True. These publications became Tom's primary sources of information on the subject, as they were the equivalent of today's internet for distributing such knowledge.

Military Experience and Research Development

After graduating high school in 1961, Tom joined the Navy and served nine years on submarines. This period provided a foundation for his later fieldwork and investigative skills. When he arrived in Washington state in April 1968, he faced a severe housing shortage but eventually settled in an annex on the peninsula.

This location proved ideal for his growing research interests. The remote setting with only eight houses on the entire island gave Tom unprecedented access to wilderness areas. During this time, he began conducting serious field research rather than simply reading about Sasquatch.

Tom followed major developments in the field during his military service, including:

The Tom Slick Expeditions
The Patterson-Gimlin film (1967), which he didn't see until 1968 due to being on patrol

He completed his naval service in March 1970, transitioning to civilian life with a clearer focus on his Sasquatch investigations.

Transition to Washington State

After leaving the Navy, Tom enrolled in college and earned a degree in logging engineering. Rather than traditional employment, he established his own logging company and provided specialized consulting services. His work involved creating water management plans for road construction projects crossing streams used by migratory fish.

These consulting projects regularly took Tom deep into the Olympic Peninsula wilderness—an area he identifies as "prime real estate for Sasquatch." His work required hiking 5-7 miles into remote timber areas, where he would create detailed site assessments and measurements.

During these solitary field sessions, Tom occasionally noticed unusual activity, including glimpses of eyes watching him from behind trees. These experiences in Washington's forests provided numerous opportunities for unexpected encounters and observations that would inform his research for decades to come.

Professional Experience

Forestry Education Background

Tom Cantrell graduated with a degree in Logging Engineering after completing his college education in the early 1970s. His academic journey began following his nine-year service in the Navy, where he served on submarines until 1970. Though formally trained in logging engineering, he chose an independent career path rather than traditional employment with logging companies.

Independent Consulting Services

Following his graduation, Cantrell established himself as a consultant specializing in environmental compliance for logging operations in Washington state. His expertise focused on developing comprehensive plans for road construction projects that crossed streams containing anadromous fish - those that migrate between saltwater and freshwater for spawning. These specialized services required detailed permitting work with state authorities. Cantrell's consulting business proved highly lucrative, often generating more income from a single weekend contract than a month's salary as a company engineer would have provided.

Field Research Methods

Cantrell's fieldwork involved extensive hiking into remote timber areas, typically 5-7 miles from established roads. His methodical approach to data collection included:

Stream measurements and analysis
Soil type classification
Water flow calculations
Infrastructure planning for stream crossings

While conducting these technical assessments, he would create preliminary drawings on-site to ensure all necessary measurements were captured before departing. This careful field methodology prevented wasted return trips and allowed him to produce comprehensive reports for logging companies seeking environmental permits. During these solitary field sessions in the Olympic Peninsula wilderness, Cantrell occasionally experienced unusual encounters that later informed his research interests beyond logging engineering.

Sasquatch Telepathy: Tom Cantrell's 60+ Years of Bigfoot Research & Encounters