Turns out, the famous Silver Lake Sea Serpent that’s become a quirky part of Perry, NY’s identity was actually a clever 1855 marketing stunt! A struggling hotel owner built the monster out of wire and canvas to attract visitors, and it worked—people flocked to the lake, eager for a glimpse. Even after the hoax was revealed, the legend stuck around. Now, you’ll spot sea serpent symbols all over town. It’s wild how a little local mischief can shape a community’s culture for generations. What other local legends do you think started as pranks? #Science #SilverLake #LocalLegends