New Jersey has an interesting history, with Revolutionary War battles, famous duels, unique inventions, scientific discoveries, and more all happening in the state. One of the darkest events that’s happened in New Jersey though was so strange and terrifying, it inspired one of the most famous horror films of all time.
It’s possible you haven’t seen “Jaws,” but you’ve definitely heard of it.
Stephen Frink via Getty Images It’s one of the most famous movies of all time! In the film, a massive Great White Shark terrorizes a Cape Cod town.
But while the movie is set in Massachusetts, it’s actually based on real events that happened in New Jersey.
I, Kmusser/Wikimedia Commons “Jaws” the movie is based on a book about the New Jersey shark attacks of 1916, which were just as frightening and odd as they sound.
In July 1916, over the course of 12 days, one shark killed four people and seriously injured another in New Jersey.
Deborah Milliken / EyeEm via Getty Images The shark made its way from Beach Haven up to Spring Lake before heading into a freshwater creek in Matawan to kill its final two victims.
A 12-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man were both killed by the shark while hanging out in Matawan Creek.
Mr. Matté /Wikimedia Commons This is the entrance to Matawan Creek. Here, it looks ocean-y, but up where the shark attacks occurred? You never would’ve guessed something like that could happen there.
The shark was eventually caught, though. When they killed and dissected it, it had 15 pounds of human remains inside.
Bronx Home News/Wikimedia Commons It was not a great white shark, though. It was a bull shark, as it was able to live in freshwater, too.
As a monument to this infamous tragedy, an artist has created the Matawan Man-Eater Mural.
ZA/Google Local A giant portrait of a shark now stands roughly where the creek attacks occurred. It’s an interesting addition to the area and a warning of what could possibly happen in this innocent-looking creek.
Of course, sharks are rarely dangerous to humans and tend to stay out of our way. That’s what made these shark attacks so shocking — it was so bizarre and unusual for a shark to act in such a way. You should be fine in Matawan by the water!
Stephen Frink via Getty Images
It’s one of the most famous movies of all time! In the film, a massive Great White Shark terrorizes a Cape Cod town.
I, Kmusser/Wikimedia Commons
“Jaws” the movie is based on a book about the New Jersey shark attacks of 1916, which were just as frightening and odd as they sound.
Deborah Milliken / EyeEm via Getty Images
The shark made its way from Beach Haven up to Spring Lake before heading into a freshwater creek in Matawan to kill its final two victims.
Mr. Matté /Wikimedia Commons
This is the entrance to Matawan Creek. Here, it looks ocean-y, but up where the shark attacks occurred? You never would’ve guessed something like that could happen there.
Bronx Home News/Wikimedia Commons
It was not a great white shark, though. It was a bull shark, as it was able to live in freshwater, too.
ZA/Google Local
A giant portrait of a shark now stands roughly where the creek attacks occurred. It’s an interesting addition to the area and a warning of what could possibly happen in this innocent-looking creek.
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Address: Matawan Man-Eater Mural, 24 Angelica Ct, Matawan, NJ 07747, USA
