Point Pleasant in Mason County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
“Legend of the Mothman”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2018
1. “Legend of the Mothman” Marker
On a chilly, fall night in November 1966, two young couples drove into the TNT area north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, when they realized they were not alone.
What they saw that night has evolved into one of the great mysteries of all time; hence the Mothman Legacy began. It has grown into a phenomenon known all over the world by millions of curious people asking questions: What really happened? What did these people see? Has it been seen since?
It still sparks the world’s curiosity—the mystery behind Point Pleasant, West Virginia’s MOTHMAN.
Sculpture by:
Artist and Sculptor
Bob Roach
New Haven, West Virginia
Erected 2003 by the Town of Point Pleasant.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1966.
Location. 38° 50.554′ N, 82° 8.311′ W. Marker is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in Mason County. Marker is on 4th Street east of Main Street, in the median. Point Pleasant is 29 miles and 34 minutes via West Virginia Route 2 from Interstate 77 Exit 146 (the Ravenswood exit). It is 36 miles and 38 minutes via U.S. 35 from Interstate 64 Exit 40 (the Pt. Pleasant exit). Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mason County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); “Border Grays” (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Point Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); 330 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Lowe Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); 313 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Pleasant River Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Lord Dunmore's War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Pleasant.
Regarding “Legend of the Mothman”. The “TNT Area” refers to the former West Virginia Ordnance Works and abandoned power plant—now the McClintic Wildlife Management Area—an overgrown wildlife preserve seven miles north of town, considered the Mothman’s home or hideout.
The “young couples” refers to the two couples, Roger and Linda Scarberry, and Steve and Mary Mallette, who where the first to make the news with their sighting of the Mothman.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia Entry
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2018
2. “Legend of the Mothman” Statue and Marker
“The Mothman was introduced to a wider audience by Gray Barker in 1970 and later popularized by John Keel in his 1975 book The Mothman Prophecies, claiming that there were supernatural events related to the sightings, and a connection to the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies, starring Richard Gere, was based on Keel's book. An annual festival in Point Pleasant is devoted to the Mothman legend.” (Submitted on October 2, 2018.)
2. Scarberry and Mallette’s 1966 Mothman Sighting. Entry on TheMothMan.wikia.com. Excerpt: “When they got there next to the abandoned North Power Plant they suddenly saw two large red eyes which reflected the light from the car’s headlights. Steve noticed it first and pointed it out to the group. That is when they are said to have noticed that the glowing red eyes belonged to a strange creature. They claimed
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2018
3. “Legend of the Mothman” Statue
2003 stainless steel sculpture by Bob Roach is twelve feet tall.
3. Mothman Wiki entry for Bob Roach, sculptor. Excerpt: “Robert Roach ... is said to have created the iconic design of the statue by using an image of a bodybuilder from a magazine as a reference point. He interviewed people who claimed to have seen the Mothman and took bits and pieces of their descriptions of the creature; attempting to combine them into a single form.” (Submitted on October 2, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
4. The Mothcam. This webcam is pointed at the statue and livestreams what’s happening there 24 hours a day. (Submitted on October 2, 2018.)
5. The Mothman Documentary. 6½ minute video.
Additional keywords.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2018
4. The Mothman
The statue is polished stainless-steel-silver in color. Photographs 2, 3, and 4 show it with a golden hue because they were photographed just before sunset.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2018
5. “Legend of the Mothman” Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16,791 times since then and 1,036 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 11, 2018. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 2, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
