Hurray! You found the Mothman cryptid cache at Herrick District Library Main Branch!
History of the Mothman:
On November 15th, 1966, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, several young adults told police that they had seen a large, human-shaped creature with glowing red eyes and white wings near a former WWII munitions plant. When the group attempted to flee, the creature took flight and chased them until they reached town. Over the next few days, several other people reported seeing a large flying creature with red tinted eyes. Other reports mentioned pets going missing during this timeframe as well. The county sheriff at the time believed these sightings could be chalked up to a big heron or crane, which have a red tint to their eyes. Not everyone accepted that explanation. Some folklore considers the Mothman to be a sign of a impending disaster, because one month after the first reported sighting, a local bridge called Silver Bridge collapsed and killed nearly fifty people.
Modern day:
Modern adaptations of the Mothman legend include documentaries, fictional films, and appearances in video games. The most prominent adaptations are The Monthman Prophesies (2002), The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017) and The Mothman Legacy (2020).
Fun facts about the Mothman:
- The popular character, Batman, may have influenced the name "Mothman" in the local newspapers, since there was a villain in the iconic comic series called Killer Moth.
- An annual Mothman Festival is held in downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia. It features live music, merchandise from various vendors, food trucks, cosplay, and speakers. This year’s festival is September 20th and 21st.
- Over 100 people are believed to have seen the Mothman during that first year of sightings.
Want more Mothman?
