Misty of Chincoteague

Died 1972 - Chincoteague, Virginia

When author Marguerite Henry published "Misty of Chincoteague" in 1947, she could hardly have envisioned creating an enduring cult of young girls who would worship the book and its real-life equine heroine. Today, these grown-up gals (with daughters and granddaughters in tow) make the Pilgrimage to Chincoteague Island, and adjacent Assateague Island, where wild ponies still wander.

There they will see a commemorative plaque and a statue, commissioned by the Misty of Chincoteague Foundation and erected in 1997. On Main Street, at the Island Roxy Theater, fans can find two horseshoe prints set in concrete, a relic from the 1962 movie premiere that Misty attended.

Big deal. The real attraction on the island is that the actual carcass of Misty has been preserved and mounted.

At the Beebe Ranch, after a hiatus in storage, Misty, and her foal, Stormy -- also mounted -- are back on display in the house. The Beebe property is bloated with sacred spots -- like the kitchen where a pregnant Misty was harbored during something known as the "Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962." The Beebe family is working to restore more Misty sites for the public to enjoy.

The stuffed carcasses are fairly unusual tributes to animals romanticized by their young, impressionable fans. We wonder if little girls are thrilled -- or horrified -- to finally come face-to-face with the stiff, glass-eyed Misty of Chincoteague.

Hey, no complaints... we'd take our daughters.

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