The Mothman Sightings of West Virginia

On of the most commonly circulated tales of paranormal activity are the Mothman sightings of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The story began on November 15, 1966, when two young couples driving near an old TNT plant realized that they were being tormented by a large creature at speeds of over a hundred miles per hour. The creature was (and still is) described as being the size of a large man, with enormous moth wings, piercing red eyes, and a chilling shriek. The couples immediately reported their experience to the deputy sheriff at the time, who believed them and was called out when the house of one of the young couples was tormented by the Mothman and other ghosts later that evening.

For the next two years, residents continued to experience Mothman sightings almost every month, and often staged “battles” against him by arming themselves and taking to the woods in and around the TNT plant where he was first spotted. The bridge on which the young couples first saw the Mothman collapsed less than a year later, adding to the mystery and suspicion surrounding this giant bird-like creature. A large statue and plaque were soon erected representative of the Mothman sightings and forever ingraining him in the culture of Point Pleasant.

Over the last few decades, ideas of the Mothman have varied but have also become exceedingly popular outside of West Virginia. Some citizens of Point Pleasant believe, in relationship to the bridge that collapsed, that the Mothman is a benevolent figure who comes to warn unknowing citizens of impending disasters. Other people believe he was the cause of the bridge collapse and that he is a menacing monster looking for ways in which to haunt and disturb people living around the abandoned TNT plant.

Regardless of his nature, Mothman sightings continue to be a prevalent attraction for West Virginia and reported sightings have been in various locations around the state, as well as some in other areas of the United States and even Great Britain. Point Pleasant still embraces the Mothman as a unique part of their culture, celebrating the Mothman festival every year on the third weekend in September. The festival proves the existence of ghosts as a cultural value, as the festival itself aims to increase attractions for the area, featuring guest speakers, hayrides and vendor marketplaces. For many travelers visiting Point Pleasant, especially during the festival, the possibility of Mothman sightings is surely an exciting one.