On the Trail of the Mothman
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and all major podcast apps. Amanda McGowan : Every small town has that one spot where people sneak off to at night. In Point Pleasant, West Virginia, back in the 1960s, that place was the McClintic Wildlife Management Area. The locals called it the TNT area. During World War II, this had been a giant munitions factory that produced explosives,…
On the Trail of the Mothman: A Legend Born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
In the sleepy town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, nestled within the McClintic Wildlife Management Area, a dark legend took root. This story began on a fateful evening in November 1966, when two young married couples—the Mallettes and the Scarberrys—ventured into the TNT area, an abandoned munitions factory turned public park.
As the couples parked their car near the old power plant, a chilling encounter unfolded. Linda Scarberry, the wife of one of the couples, spotted an 8-foot-tall creature with black wings and red glowing eyes perched in a tree. Terrified, the group panicked and sped away, only to find the creature pursuing them.
The following day, the Point Pleasant Register featured a headline declaring, "Couples See Man-Sized Bird, Creature, Something," igniting a frenzy in the town. The enigmatic creature soon came to be known as the Mothman, a name that replaced its original moniker, the Birdman.
Over the years, the Mothman legend grew, intertwining with the town's history of tragedy and triumph. Today, the creature is a symbol of Point Pleasant, its likeness gracing a giant statue in the heart of downtown. Visitors flock to the town to witness the Mothman, many embarking on guided tours through the TNT area led by Sherri Brake, the owner of Haunted Heartland Tours and author of "Point Pleasant: A Haunted History."
As the legend persists, the TNT area remains a place of intrigue and unease. Guided by flashlight, visitors navigate the overgrown concrete bunkers and eerie woods, searching for glimpses of the elusive Mothman. While some may dismiss the creature as mere folklore, the Mothman's enduring presence in Point Pleasant's story serves as a reminder of the mysteries that still lurk in the shadows of our world.
Written by urgent.news from Atlas Obscura's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
