Colorado History: Petrified Man Discovered + Found to Be a Hoax

In 1887, a bizarre discovery was made in Colorado, which led many to believe that they were witnessing an actual petrified human being as it traveled across the country as a sideshow attraction.

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However, this was later determined to be an elaborate hoax.

Keep scrolling to learn about Solid Muldoon, Colorado's alleged petrified man.

Colorado's Supposed Petrified Man Was Discovered

In 1887, a politician and merchant known as William Augustus Conant discovered a foot-shaped stone sticking out of the ground, and after further inspection, determined that it was attached to what appeared to be a petrified human being.

The discovery, which was made near Beulah, Colorado, prompted Conant to bring it to the largest nearby city at the time, Pueblo, to put it on display.

Colorado's Petrified Man Became Famous

After word spread about the discovery, the alleged petrified man was given the name Solid Muldoon, and Conant took it on the road, reaching as far as New York City before suspicions that the sideshow attraction was a hoax became overwhelming.

Colorado's Petrified Man Was Found to Be a Hoax

After taking Solid Muldoon on the road, it was discovered that Conant's discovery wasn't a petrified man at all, but was created by notorious trixter George Hull, the same man behind the Cardiff Giant hoax, out of various materials including stone, mortar, clay, and even bones and meat.

Colorado's Petrified Man Was Buried

After being revealed as being fake, Solid Muldoon was buried near the area in which it was found.

Read More: Bizarre Colorado: Famous Potter Whose Death Mask is on Display

The gravesite still exists today along Highway 78 between Beulah and Pueblo, Colorado.