Posted in West Virginia Attractions February 26, 2022 by

Here’s The Story Behind The Iconic Mothman Statue In West Virginia

What’s the most famous statue in West Virginia? If we had to pick one, we’d probably have to go with the Mothman Statue in Point Pleasant. What other iconic Mountain State status e appears so frequently in the selfies of visitors to West Virginia from far and wide? None, that we can think of! And if you’ve ever been curious about this statue’s backstory, here’s your chance to learn it.

But before we tell you about the statue, let's get you up to speed on Mothman himself. This creepy West Virginia apparition was spotted in November of 1966.
estt / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
Seven feet tall, a ten-foot wingspan, glowing red eyes - this humanoid was a nightmare personified for the five grave diggers who first spotted him in Clendenin, West Virginia.
A few days later, Mothman made another appearance, this time in the old TNT area of Mount Pleasant, West Virginia, to two young couples out for a night drive.
TravelerELO / Tripadvisor
Over the next year, more than 100 sightings of Mothman were reported in the Point Pleasant area, including several of him standing on the Silver Bridge as it collapsed. Interestingly, that same year, several more unusual encounters with other spirits or extraterrestrials were also reported in the state.
Legends of Mothman continue to fascinate to this day, almost sixty years later. So much so, that Point Pleasant has an entire museum devoted to Mothman.
Wil E / Tripadvisor
And in Gunn Park just outside that museum is the famed Mothman Statue, formed around 20 years ago by local steel artist Bob Roach.
671perlan / Tripadvisor
The statue wasn't Roach's idea, though - it was the brainchild of his friend, local businessman Charles Humphreys. Humphreys knew that Roach's talent with stainless steel would be well-suited for such a challenging project as capturing the elusive Mothman legend in physical form.
TravelerELO / Tripadvisor
The two researched Mothman's appearance extensively before Roach began to handcraft what would become his most well-known piece.
And well-known it is. People come from all over the world to get a picture with Mothman.
sweetsugartree / Tripadvisor
A festival is held each fall here around the base of the statue. A moth-cam has been set up so that fans can check in on Mothman even when they're not in Point Pleasant.
Mothman isn't the only local example of Roach's art, either.
Cristy / OIYS
The artist also created the statues in Point Pleasant's nearby Riverfront Park: Chief Cornstalk, Colonel Lewis, Daniel Boone, Mad Anne Bailey, and Lord Dunmore. He crafted the sculpture of Jesus Christ that's on display at the Heights United Methodist Church on North Main Street. And other examples of his art can be found in New Haven, West Virginia.

Did you or someone you know see Mothman? What’s your theory about this creature? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Believe it or not, M othman isn’t the only paranormal figure in West Virginia lore, either.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Mothman Statue and Marker, 201 4th St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA