The Great Cobra Scare of 1953 in Springfield, Missouri, is a fascinating piece of local history that has captured the imagination of residents for decades. This event, which took place in August of that year, involved a series of snake sightings and encounters that sparked mass panic and led to a city-wide snake hunt. The story of the cobra scare has become a part of Springfield’s folklore, and it continues to be remembered and celebrated to this day.
The Great Cobra Scare began when an odd-looking snake was killed and taken to an exotic pet shop for identification. The pet shop owner initially reassured the public that there was nothing to worry about. However, as more snakes began to appear and be killed in the following months, fear and paranoia spread throughout the community. The situation reached a tipping point when a student brought a snake to a science teacher at Jarrett Junior High, who identified it as a deadly cobra.
The Springfield health and police departments responded to the escalating crisis by creating a snake hunting militia. Armed with guns, rakes, hoes, and shovels, residents and officials alike took to the streets in search of the elusive snakes. The city even employed a truck with large speakers playing Indian snake charmer music in an attempt to lure the snakes out of hiding. The scene was described as something out of a comedy movie, with residents eagerly awaiting the sight of a slithering snake.
After several months of hysteria and 11 snakes meeting their fate, the Great Cobra Scare finally came to an end in late October 1953. The final cobra caught during the scare was not killed but instead preserved in a jar and placed on a professor’s desk at Drury University. It wasn’t until decades later that the truth behind the scare was revealed.
In 1988, a man named Carl Barnett came forward and admitted to releasing the snakes as an act of revenge against the pet shop owner who had cheated him in a trade. Barnett’s confession shed new light on the events of 1953 and added a layer of intrigue to the already captivating story of the cobra scare. Despite his passing in 2009, Barnett’s role in the Great Cobra Scare has been remembered and commemorated by the community.
Today, the Great Cobra Scare of 1953 remains a significant part of Springfield’s history, with events like the snake hunt hosted by Mother’s Brewery serving as a reminder of the city’s unique past. The story of the cobra scare continues to captivate residents and visitors alike, showcasing the enduring legacy of this bizarre and unforgettable chapter in Springfield’s history.
