Oregon’s Biggest Mystery: Finding Sasquatch
Unveiling The Mystery At The North American Bigfoot Center
By Katie and Houston Vandergriff
Downs & Towns
No trip to Oregon would be complete without visiting Houston’s all-time favorite museum: the North American Bigfoot Center. Faithful fan? Doubtful critic? Whatever side you’re on, you’ll love this hidden gem.
The North American Bigfoot Center is located in the quaint town of Boring. And when we say “quaint,” we mean “small.” Boring may be a small town, but it has big beliefs. The moment we walked through the Center’s doors, Houston was hooked.
This roadside museum is a haven for fanatics, skeptics, curious explorers and everyone in between. We’re a little of all the above, and we love it. The North American Bigfoot Center builds on the assumption that Bigfoot is alive and well — not just in the Pacific Northwest, but around the world.
Houston’s assignment was to photograph the exhibits and evidence. But he got so wrapped up in the stories that he frequently forgot about the camera hanging around his neck.
The exhibit starts with a hairy, life-size Sasquatch that moves and yells when you stand on the big footprints — and it just gets better from there. Houston compared his foot to the Bigfoot prints. Let’s just say Bigfoot doesn’t shop in the regular shoe section. That is, if he even wears shoes. He probably doesn’t.
The Center’s eclectic collection includes videos, both historic and recent. They’ve got recorded interviews and documented sightings the mysterious, furry, smelly creature. There’s also a large display of folk art based on Bigfoot-like creatures from cultures around the world.
Plaster casts of footprints. Grainy photographs. Audio recordings of supposed Bigfoot calls. Whether you believe or not, it’s all here. It’s presented as scientific, culturally significant — and real. While I remained skeptical, Houston loved the mystery of it all. And honestly, Oregon’s lush, wild terrain is the perfect setting for a Bigfoot legend to take root.
For true fans, the gift shop alone is worth the stop. Bigfoot-themed T-shirts, stickers, signage and home goods abound — many of them just as rare as the elusive creature itself.
But more than the merchandise, the museum succeeds in its mission to foster dialogue and promote curiosity. It invites guests to wonder, to question and to ponder the possibility of Bigfoot’s existence — in Oregon and around the world.
I’ve honestly never been much of a believer in the legend. But after two trips to the North American Bigfoot Museum, Houston sure is. He’s a BIG believer.
If you happen to see us in the Oregon woods, don’t be surprised if Houston has his camera ready. Maybe he’s photographing wildflowers.
Or maybe he’s waiting for something bigger.
Just in case.
Art. Adventure. Advocacy. Changing the world — one photograph at a time.
Houston Vandergriff is a globe-trotting photographer, travel leader, and creator rocking an extra 21st chromosome. Houston and Katie (mom) Vandergriff are the dynamic duo behind Downs & Towns, LLC.
Houston’s camera opens doors and builds relationships around three pillars of travel, photography, and advocacy - and the magic that happens when you combine all three. The Vandergriff family journey inspires both inside and outside the disability community. They have shared their story on local, national, and international stages. By working together, Houston and Katie are helping to redefine outdated stereotypical views on disability.
Houston’s photography and personal story have inspired a global audience. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee Houston has traveled to 30 countries and all 50 United States. Houston's camera is a voice for inclusion. His award-winning photos have been featured in books, art and travel magazines, and have been curated in gallery shows. His work has been exhibited in group and solo shows in Venice, Rome, Lisbon, Paris, New York City, Los Angeles, Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Estonia, Perth, Scotland and even on the surface of the moon.
Houston is a Nikon Creator with Nikon USA.
Using photography as a metaphor for life, their message encourages others to throw away the impossible dream of wanting “normal.” They share fun ways to break the “rules,” and embrace the crazy. Houston and Katie share the challenges and joys surrounding disability on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. The entire family works together to offer his photography and NFTs via his website DownsAndTowns.com.
Through sharing the gift of photography, they share gifts of hope and beauty.
