You might not be aware that the character known in folklore as The Green Man, who is also referred to as Charlie No-Face, is actually based on a real individual.
He was a man from Pennsylvania named Raymond Robinson.
You might not be aware that the character known in folklore as The Green Man, who is also referred to as Charlie No-Face, is actually based on a real individual.
He was a man from Pennsylvania named Raymond Robinson.
If you were a child or a young adult during the 1950s and 60s in Western Pennsylvania, it's quite likely that you've come across the story of The Green Man.
This is the tale of a man without a face who is said to wander secluded roads at night.
It's a lesser-known fact that The Green Man, who is sometimes called Charlie No-Face, was indeed a real person.
His real name was Raymond Robinson.
According to the legend surrounding The Green Man, his skin emits a greenish glow, which people say could be due to a lightning strike or an electrical accident in a factory.
The story also tells of him haunting areas like South Park, the North Hills, or the rural roads near Washington, Pennsylvania.
Marie Werner, who grew up in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania during the 1960s, shares a common rendition of the tale.
She says, "The legend goes that he roams that hollow late at night and chases the parkers and the loafers."
Although the aspect of the legend that suggests he intentionally frightens people is a made-up part, the story is somewhat accurate in other respects.
Raymond Robinson experienced a tragic accident in 1919, when he was just eight years old.
He was climbing an electrical pole to reach a bird’s nest when he was struck by a massive electrical shock of 11,000 volts.
This incident threw him to the ground amidst a blinding flash of light.
The severe shock burned his face and arms severely, leaving him without his eyes and nose.
Despite this horrible injury, reports indicate that Robinson remained cheerful, and he retained his ability to hear and speak.
For the following 65 years, he lived a reclusive life in his family's house in Koppel, Pennsylvania.
There, he crafted belts, wallets, and doormats, selling them to earn a modest income.
Raymond only ventured out of his house for nighttime walks, choosing times when he was less likely to startle people with his appearance.
These nocturnal strolls are what sparked the legend of The Green Man, especially when teenagers would catch glimpses of him from their cars as he walked along State Route 351.
The nickname "Green Man" is thought to have originated from how the headlights of cars would reflect off Raymond Robinson’s clothing during these night walks.
A Koppel local from that era recounted an encounter with Raymond Robinson on her way back from a swimming spot. She remembers feeling an intense fear upon seeing him.
While some reacted to him with fear or unkindness, others extended their friendship to the injured man. They would often bring him beer and cigarettes during his nightly excursions.
Pete Pavlovic, who was 60 years old in 1998, recalled in an interview with the Post-Gazette how they would give him beer.
He mentioned that people would gather at the diner where he worked, then set off to try and find The Green Man.
Pavlovic explained that those who were unfamiliar with Robinson would be shocked and terrified upon seeing him, sometimes wanting to call the police.
They would often have to be reassured and then would usually head back out to search for him.
Some people would give Raymond Robinson a lift in their car, only to leave him in unfamiliar places as a cruel prank, taking advantage of his blindness.
Phil Ortega, who grew up in Koppel and knew Robinson’s sister, remembered him fondly.
He said, "Helluva a nice guy," and recalled how he would bring dates to meet Robinson and give him Lucky Strikes cigarettes.
Beyond these accounts, not much is known about Raymond Robinson's life, which was largely spent in solitude.
Raymond Robinson passed away in 1985 at 74 years old due to natural causes.
However, the legend of The Green Man and Charlie No-Face continues to live on, as vibrant today as it ever was.
Warner reflects on the enduring nature of the Charlie No-Face myth, noting, "Right now, it’s a big topic in the high school. The legend is still strong."