Do you have an adventurous side? Are you looking for new and exciting attractions to explore? Then you need to add the Mothman Statue to your road trip bucket list. Half man, half moth, the Mothman is a creature of American legend and mythology.
The Mothman Statue is a monument to this mysterious hybrid. Visitors flock to view the statue and learn about the unique stories behind the Mothman. But be warned, visiting the Mothman Statue and learning about his history is not for the faint at heart!
In the 1960s, Mothman used his eerie presents to terrorize the citizens and pets in a small town in West Virginia. His story is super strange, and horrifying, and it is amazing that more people in America are not aware of it.
The Mothman is truly one of America’s most intriguing mythological creatures. He is right up there with Big Foot and Sasquatch. Which is one reason why he has a statue and museum dedicated to him.
Interested in learning more about the legend and history behind Mothman and the haunting statue he inspired? Then it is time to dive deep into the Mothman’s legend and plan your visit to view this iconic piece of art!
Before setting off on your trip to view the Mothman Statue, here is a quick guide to everything you need to know.
What City is the Mothman Statue in?
First things first, where can the Mothman Statue be found? This 12-foot metallic statue is located in beautiful Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The exact address is 201 4th St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550.
In addition to the iconic statue, Point Pleasant is also home to the Mothman Museum. Visitors to the museum can learn everything there is to know about Mothman and how he affected the town of Point Pleasant. While at the museum, visitors can explore the Mothman-themed store and shop for special souvenirs.
Who Created the Statue?
The Mothman Statue was created by sculptor Robert (or Bob as he was better known) Roach. Point Pleasant hired Bob to design and sculpt the tribute to Mothman in the early 2000s.
Even though the Mothman Statue is not all that old, it quickly became a major attraction for people interested in the bizarre tale of Mothman.
Bob was a local artist in the Point Pleasant area and he said that he got his inspiration for the Mothman Statue design by using an image of a body-builder. It is also said that Bob interviewed people who claimed to have seen the Mothman and used some of their descriptions in his final design.
Who Was John Keel?
John Keel was an American Journalist born in 1930. He was also known as a UFOlogist and he is known for his work centered around the Mothman. He is probably best known for his book, The Mothman Prophecies. His work is often credited for being the reason the Mothman story did not fade into forgotten legend or lore.
In fact, in 2002, a movie was created with John’s book being cited as the source material. The film was centered around the supernatural aspects of Mothman and starred known other than Richard Gere. The major bassist of the movie, and the legend behind the Mothman, is that he is a creature that predicts disaster.
When Was the Statue Erected?
(photo: Amy Meredith)
The Mothman Statue was erected in 2003 and unveiled to the world during the second Mothman Festival. Today, the Mothman Festival is now an annual event held in Point Pleasant.
What is the Story Behind the Mothman?
The Mothman story is truly incredible. Unlike other American mythological creatures like Big Foot, whose stories and “sightings” date back generations, Mothman did not make his entrance until the mid-1960s. Making the Mothman a relatively recent occurrence and there are many people in Point Pleasant, West Virginia who can recall the Mothman attacks or remember seeing him themselves.
In 1966, Mothman was spotted for the first time by a group of men working in a graveyard at night. From there, the sightings and attacks from the Mothman became more frequent. The Mothman was blamed for taking a pet right out of a resident’s yard and he was even blamed when a bridge collapsed and killed over 40 people.
The sightings and incidents involving the Mothman almost completely came to an end in the late 1960s. But ever so often, a rare sighting is still reported in the town of Point Pleasant.
Okay, So What is the Truth Behind Mothman?
Not sure you believe the tales of a half-man, half-moth-like creature, spreading warnings of disaster in West Virginia? Over the years, scientists and skeptics have been hypothesizing about what the sightings of the Mothman might really have been. One explanation given is that he was a local prankster dressed up, running around trying to scare people. Another explanation is that people were really seeing a disfigured bird.
Point Pleasant is near an old TNT and ammunition factory from WWII and the chemicals that might be leaking around that area could disfigure wildlife. But let’s not count out the possibility of UFOs. Author John Keel certainly didn’t.
When Should You Visit the Mothman Statue?
If you are planning a trip to the famous Mothman Statue, the best time to go is during the Mothman Festival. This year the festival is set to take place on September 17th and 18th, 2022. For future reference, this annual festival takes place the third weekend in September every year.
This festival is designed to celebrate all things Mothman and features expert guest speakers, vendor booths, live music, selfie opportunities, yummy festival food, kid and family-friendly activities, and more. But the biggest attractions to the festival are the Mothman-themed activities that include a Mothman hayride, cosplay, TNT bus tours, and even a Mothman-inspire 5k. Making the Mothman Festival an event you cannot miss.
Final Take-Aways About the Mothman Statue
The Mothman, a terrifying creature of doom, a prank that went a little too far, a UFO, or a disfigured bird? We may never know but the lore of the Mothman and his famous statue are powerful. If you find yourself in Point Pleasant West Virginia, be sure to swing by and take a selfie with the Mothman Statue, explore the museum, and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. And if you do not have any plans for the third weekend of September, check out the Mothman Festival for added fun!
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