The Mothman Prophecies

Introduction

On a cold November night in 1966, two couples driving near the TNT area—an abandoned munitions plant outside Point Pleasant, West Virginia—reported a terrifying encounter. They claimed their car was chased by a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes. This single report ignited a year-long phenomenon that would blend mass hysteria, cryptozoology, and genuine tragedy into one of America's most enduring modern myths.

Background

Point Pleasant was a quiet industrial town on the Ohio River. The "Mothman," as the press dubbed it (inspired by the Batman villain), was described consistently by witnesses: a humanoid figure roughly seven feet tall, grey in color, with large wings folded against its back and brilliant red eyes set in its chest. Over the next year, more than 100 people would report seeing the creature.

Known Facts

• The Scarberry/Mallette Sighting: The first major police report filed on Nov 15, 1966. The witnesses were visibly shaken, and police found strange dust on their vehicle.
• Animal Explanations: Skeptics, including local sheriff George Johnson, believed the sightings were of a large Sandhill Crane, which can stand almost as tall as a man and has red patches around its eyes.
• Silver Bridge Collapse: On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Ohio collapsed during rush hour, killing 46 people. Following this tragedy, sightings of the Mothman ceased immediately.

The Mystery

The temporal connection between the creature's appearance and the bridge collapse birthed the legend that the Mothman was a harbinger of doom—or perhaps a warning. Journalist John Keel, who investigated the case, popularized these theories in his book The Mothman Prophecies, suggesting paranormal and extraterrestrial elements. While the bridge collapse was definitively proven to be caused by a structural failure (a cleavage fracture in an eyebar), the folklore persists.

Current Status

Today, the Mothman is a cultural icon in Point Pleasant. An annual festival is held in its honor, and a metallic statue of the creature stands in the town center. It remains a fascinating case study in how folklore evolves in the modern age.

Sources

• The Mothman Prophecies by John Keel (1975).
• West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Archives.
• Point Pleasant Register archives (1966-1967).
• "The Mothman of Point Pleasant" - Documentary.

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