When we think of cryptids, the more famous are often evoked – Bigfoot, the chupacabra, wendigos. But several rural corners around the US have their own regional folklore about some more… unique supernatural creatures. Ever heard of Eastern Ohio’s Grassman? Us neither. But you know what everyone in Athens has heard of: Mothman.
Mothman doesn’t technically belong to us, but the statue at Dutch Creek Winery and the Athens artists crafting stained glass figurines of the creature make it clear he’s been incorporated in local legend. And let’s be honest – we’re basically in West Virginia anyway.
The Man, the Moth, the Legend
The legend of Mothman began in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, which is east of Athens just across the Ohio River where it feeds the Kanawha. A short-lived, vintage cryptid, if you will, the first “sightings” of the Mothman were in 1966. Either (1) two people digging a grave or (2) young couples messing around in their cars at night saw a large black, winged figure fly overhead.
Was it actually just a large bird of prey mistaken for something else in the dark? Probably. Or was it really a 7-foot tall humanoid with giant red eyes and a 10-foot wingspan? You decide. The Mothman vibe, more than anything, is a local icon – we’ve yet to meet someone who believes in Mothman the way people believe in Bigfoot.
Anyway, over the next several months, there were many sightings, especially near the TNT area of town. And in a Westworld twist, locals also say men in black suits were randomly sighted around town during this time. In that dark vein, Mothman developed from an oddity to an omen on 15 December, 1967 when the bridge connecting Gallipolis to Point Pleasant collapsed, killing 46 people. Witnesses reported a Mothman sighting on the bridge just before the collapse. Later, a fracture in one of the suspension chains was identified as the cause of the collapse.
Did he cause the bridge to collapse? Or was he trying to point to the danger? It’s a discussion people still have. After the Silver Bridge tragedy, sightings of Mothman largely stopped, though some locals claim sightings directly before other tragedies – even 9/11.
Mothman in Modernity
Today, Mothman is a symbol of local culture – Point Pleasant devotes several shops, foods and even a coffee blend to the cryptid, and even throws a Mothman Festival each year, which is a favorite day trip of many Athens locals.
The legend of Mothman has reinvigorated the local economy because of the tourism draw; spooky season vibes are so trendy right now. Regardless, this iconic figure in our regional lore remains a mystery – Is he a villain or a warning sign? And what in the Spiderman happened to him to become a giant moth? We may never know…
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