New Jersey's Official State Demon

The Jersey Devil
NJ's 'Official' State Demon...or Not?

Here in West Virginia we have a lot of official state 'stuff.' Our state bird is the majestic cardinal. In 2021, pepperoni rolls finally became our state food. And, of course among several others, our state song is the world-wide favorite, Country Roads. What we don't have, however, is an official state DEMON. As far as I can tell, that honor has only been bestowed upon the state of New Jersey.  Or has it...

There's a 'fun fact' floating around the paranormal world that in 1939, the Leeds Devil, more popularly known as the Jersey Devil, became the official state demon of New Jersey. Unfortunately, when you look at the actual state laws (yeah, this official state stuff is actually presented as a bill, voted on and passed by state government) there is no mention of the Jersey Devil being the state's officially recognized demonic being. So where did this information come from?

The New Jersey State Library puts out a wonderfully informative newsletter for its employees, and in issue No. 33, covers the origin story fantastically. 

Back on October 31, 1979 The Washington Post published an article stating that the Jersey Devil/Leeds Demon had been New Jersey's official state demon since 1939. This assertion was supported by a 1970's documentary on the Jersey Devil produced by the NJ Public Broadcasting Authority, stating the same thing.  But, it all really does date back to 1939. 

That year, a book called New Jersey: A Guide to Its Present and Past was published. The book contained a chapter entitled Folklore and Folkways, which opened with: By default, the title of official State demon has rested for nearly a century with the Leeds Devil, a friendly native of Atlantic County who has traveled extensively throughout southern New Jersey.

This tongue-in-cheek commentary was accompanied by the assertion that the Jersey Devil was also at the time studying for his doctorate degree at the University of Hell, and enjoyed discussing Republican politics over breakfast. I guess just flapping around the Pine Barrens is a little too low-brow for everyone's favorite winged, horse-faced monstrosity!

So unfortunately, the Jersey Devil isn't really recognized officially as New Jersey's Official State Demon...but he's certainly their unofficial state demon! We can only hope that one day, what started as a joke in 1939 may very well be voted on for real one day. At the very least, it's given me something fun and silly to share on today's Friday Funnies blog post! I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, stay spooky!