MothmanAppalachian Folklore and West Virginia Legend

An Appalachian legend and mystery: Mothman is a winged creature with glowing red eyes, first reported in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966. Witnesses described it as man-sized or larger, with wings that spread like a giant bird, appearing around the time of the Silver Bridge disaster.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

Mothman is nothin' I ever wanna see.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Mothman is nothin' I ever wanna see.

Origin

The first widely reported sightings came in November 1966, when gravediggers claimed to see a huge winged figure flying overhead. Within days, couples and townsfolk reported similar encounters near the old TNT plant outside Point Pleasant. The creature was soon dubbed "Mothman" by local newspapers.

In December 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed, killing 46 people. Many locals linked the tragedy to the Mothman sightings, believing the creature was either a harbinger of doom or somehow connected to the disaster. Over time, the story spread far beyond Appalachia, cementing Mothman as a legend.

Notes

Even today, Point Pleasant celebrates the legend with an annual Mothman Festival, drawing visitors from all over the country. Locals tell the story as both a cautionary tale and a badge of Appalachian identity. Mothman has appeared in books, documentaries, and even Hollywood films, but in the hills of West Virginia, it remains a tale passed down like any other piece of folklore.

Legacy

Mothman is now one of Appalachia’s most famous legends. The Mothman Museum and statue in Point Pleasant make the creature part of daily life in the region. For some, it’s just a curious bit of local color; for others, it’s a genuine mystery tied to unexplained events. Either way, the Mothman has become a permanent figure in Appalachian and American folklore.

Kin Topics

Southern Ghost Stories and Legends

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 1). MothmanAppalachian Folklore and West Virginia Legend. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/mothman-west-virginia-legend
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "MothmanAppalachian Folklore and West Virginia Legend." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/mothman-west-virginia-legend.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "MothmanAppalachian Folklore and West Virginia Legend." HillbillySlang.com. October 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/mothman-west-virginia-legend.

Dislaimer

What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.

If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.

Learn more on the Folklore hub page.

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