Chaffee Spider
The Chaffee Spider or "Buena Vista giant spider" (an informal name) is an alleged type of arachnid reported at various dates in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is said by locals to have been helpful pest control as village pets, having produced fine silk as a thread substitute, and having quality skin good for leather products[1].
Accounts
The first proper report was published in an issue of The Family Herald of London, England in 1887. Although this clipping is widely unavailable, a copy was provided to The Salida Mail (Vol. XXXII Number 37) issue by a Walter Higham and published on October 6, 1911. In this article, the original print is quoted. The Chaffee Spider is described as a "pleasant", distinct type of arachnid that inhabited a cave near to Buena Vista, Chaffee County, Colorado. As of 1887, the eldest locals are said to have "solemnly vouched" for the existence of these creatures. The cave, no name given, is reported to have been discovered in 1868 by Pioneers en route to California—who obtained and used the webs from this arachnid as a substitute for thread[1].
Description
The Chaffee Spider is described as having a numerous population ("swarming the cave"). The largest individuals have legs up to 4 inches in length, and a body as long as a canary (~4–5 inches[2]). The individuals in the cave are known to buzz loudly day and night, which is a product of the web-weaving process. In 1871, an unmentioned group of researchers are alleged to have tested the webbing, revealing it to be a fine silk. Additionally, the skins are pliable and do not require tanning, making for good material for gloves. Reports describe the capture and taming of these spiders, who were house pets and greatly admired by families. As pest control, they are superior to cats because they pursue mice into tight spaces and walls[1].
Explanations
The clipping in The Salida Mail notes that the original printing of the story is possessed by "the Salida man" (no name given, possibly Higham), and "is creating quite a deal of amusement among the people of this town and in the county"[1]. If 'amusement' is to be taken literally, it is possible that the Chaffee Spider is a joke.
Source
- This article incorporates material derived from the "Chaffee Spider" article on the cryptidarchives wiki at Fandom (formerly Wikia) and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License (5 October 2026).
References
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