Exploring the Legend of Hamburger Man at Sandhills State Park

By Torie Price
Opinion Page Edtior
IG: torielprice

Perhaps the most unsettling urban legend local to Hutchinson is that of the Sand Hills Hamburger Man.

Rumors passed on by word of mouth for decades describe this figure as wearing torn clothing, an apron covered in blood and a hood. His face is said to be disfigured, and his hands are always full of hamburgers made from his last victims.

Lisa Hefner Heitz, the author of “Haunted Kansas,” was one of the first to blow the whistle on Hamburger Man’s heinous deeds. Since the publication of her book, Hutchinson residents have been both in awe and terror of coming face-to-deformed-face with the Hamburger Man.

Many escape to the beauty of Sandhills State Park, located just northeast of Hutchinson on 56th Avenue, to get away from the stress of everyday life. Whether it be hiking, looking for wild sage, or simply enjoying nature’s beauty, the sandhills are a hot spot for all. Between looking at the beauty of nature and enjoying the fresh air, one has to remember to keep their wits about them and hope to not stumble across the Hamburger Man’s shelter.

“Shunned by society and scorned as a monstrous creature, the Hamburger Man fled to the sand hills and built his pathetic abode,” Heitz wrote in her 1997 book.

He is also said to inhabit many shelters around the 1,123 acres that the sandhills consist of, but most of the sightings have been off of the trails. Legends say that if you drive on the roads surrounding the sand hills land, then you just might see a hooded figure in your rearview mirror, hunting for his next meal.

This time of year brings out all the goblins and ghouls, but apparently, the human monsters are here year-round. There is “not a dramatic change” in crime during this time of year, according to Captain Dayton Gates of the Hutchinson Police Department.

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