From the dense forests of West Virginia, a legend has emerged, bringing terror and mystery to this region. The Mothman, a cryptid described as standing seven feet tall with massive wings and glowing red eyes, first appeared in the 1960s and quickly became an inseparable part of West Virginia folklore. However, this creature is more than just a tale; it is linked to tragic events that have instilled fear and curiosity for decades.
The first recorded sighting of the Mothman occurred on November 12, 1966, in Clendenin, West Virginia. A group of gravediggers working in a cemetery witnessed something strange: a massive figure flew over their heads, swiftly moving from tree to tree. These men later described the figure as a “brown human being.” This was the beginning of a series of eerie Mothman sightings.
Just three days later, in the nearby town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, two couples encountered a white-winged creature about six or seven feet tall standing in front of their car. The witnesses described the creature as having bright red eyes spaced about six inches apart, a wingspan of ten feet, and the ability to fly at incredible speeds — possibly up to 100 miles per hour. On the ground, however, the creature was said to be a clumsy runner.
Initially, these reports were dismissed as fictional, but the number of Mothman sightings continued to grow, particularly in the Point Pleasant area. Stories about the creature were soon picked up by local and national media, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. Some even began to believe that the Mothman was not just an unusual creature but a harbinger of impending disaster.
One of the most tragic events associated with the Mothman is the Silver Bridge collapse on December 15, 1967. The bridge, connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed during rush hour, killing 46 people. Just one year after the Mothman’s initial appearance, this disaster fueled many theories about a connection between the creature and the catastrophe.
Scientists and experts have offered various explanations for the Mothman sightings. Some believe it was simply a misidentified sandhill crane, possibly deformed, living near the “TNT area,” a former World War II munitions plant. Others suggest that Mothman was a product of mass hysteria or even a prank.
Yet, the Mothman has undeniably become a permanent part of American folklore, especially after John Keel’s 1975 book “The Mothman Prophecies.” This book, along with its 2002 film adaptation, turned the Mothman into an icon of mystery and fear, associated with UFOs and other paranormal phenomena.
Although Mothman sightings have dwindled since the 1960s, the creature still lives on in the minds of the people of Point Pleasant. Today, visitors can explore the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, admire a 12-foot-tall statue with massive steel wings and glowing red eyes, or participate in the annual Mothman Festival each September. Whether real or imagined, the Mothman remains a vivid part of West Virginia’s folklore, sparking curiosity and fear whenever mentioned.