If you chose to stop for gas in Point Pleasant, you might be shocked to see a 12-foot-tall metallic statue of the mythological creature Mothman. Both because it’s shocking that a town would erect such a statue on their main crossroad and because it’s an utterly terrifying statue. Nestled on the West Virginia and Ohio border, Point Pleasant boasts scenic views of the Ohio River and the Western Appalachian Mountains. The town is host to a long history dating back to the United States’ earliest days. However, it was one event on the night of November 16, 1966, that lives on in infamy for the people of Point Pleasant. It was the day the Mothman first arrived.
The First Sighting of the Mothman
On the evening of November 15, 1966, two young couples went for a drive outside the town of Point Pleasant, WV. While taking in the evening air, the group witnessed something they wouldn’t soon forget. Flying above their car was a large black birdlike figure. It had glowing red eyes and a wingspan of at least 6-feet. Startlingly the creature kept speed with the vehicle. Even when, in a state of panic, the driver accelerated to 100 mph the monster kept up.
Once back in town, the group, Roger and Linda Scarberry, and Steve and Mary Mallette, hurried to the local police station to report what they had witnessed. Interestingly enough, the police took the report seriously. After filing an official statement and composing sketches of the creature, deputies were dispatched in an attempt to locate the monster. Unfortunately, however, the Scarberry’s and Mallette’s were the last to see the Mothman for a while.
The Silver Bridge Disaster
A year and one month to the day later, the Silver Bridge collapsed on December 15, 1967. The eye-bar suspension bridge was crippled under the weight of rush hour traffic resulting in the deaths of 46 people. Multiple witnesses claim they had seen Mothman at the Silver Bridge Disaster. Theories for why the beast was there range from sabotage to prophecy. After this event, the town of Point Pleasant’s interest in the Moth Man seemed to wane.
Capitalizing on a Mythical Creature
Years later, many books were written about the Mothman as the monster swelled in and out of popularity both locally and nationally. However, the 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies propelled the creature into higher critical acclaim. The newfound popularity transformed Point Pleasant into a tourist destination, and locals adapted well. The town constructed monuments to the cryptid opened a museum in its honor, and created a festival that brings in millions each year.
Conclusion
There are many theories of what was seen by those two couples that cold night in November 1966. Everything from a sand crane to an owl to a demon has been offered as a solution. While we may never know what was seen in the sky that night, we know that the Mothman has created a revenue stream for an otherwise nondescript town in rural West Virginia. For that, we are sure the locals are thankful.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. If you like learning and laughing a lot while you do, you’ll love TILLN. Watch or listen to this episode right now!
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