In looking for captivating conspiracy theories, Erik went to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and discovered Mothman.
By Erik Bearman
One of the biggest draws of conspiracy theories is that they attempt to explain sudden, large events. When disasters happen with no apparent warning, it is natural to be scared as well as wonder whether in fact there is a larger scheme at work. We tend to be less concerned about large events when we receive a hard-to-miss warning. But, what happens when the warning itself is the center of a conspiracy theory? Meet the Mothman.
The legend truly begins on November 15th, 1966, on the outskirts of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, at the Ordnance Works Munitions Plant (commonly called the “TNT area”). Two young couples, Steve and Mary Mallette and Roger and Linda Scarberry were driving near the TNT area when they spotted what they described as a winged man in the middle of the road. Steve Mallette claimed the creature was six to seven feet tall, with red eyes, and a ten-foot wingspan. The winged man, seeming to shy away from the car’s headlights, quickly disappeared. Naturally, the couples were scared and sped away from the scene. But, around Route 62, shortly after the first sighting, the man reappeared. This time he followed the car in flight. Even after the car reached speed in excess of 100 miles per hour, the couples could not escape the man. Finally, after the creature had flown away, the couples drove straight to the sheriff’s office and filed a report. It was 2:00 A.M. Officials set out to investigate, and although no trace of the man was found, scratches were discovered on the roof of the car.
Since then, more and more people have claimed to have sighted the “Mothman.” A total of eight sightings were reported within the following three days of the November 15th, 1966, incident. And, over 100 eyewitnesses reported Mothman sightings in the course of that year.
Many believe the origin of the Mothman is tied to the TNT area where it was spotted by the Mallettes and the Scarberrys. This area has come under speculation for several reasons. The first being its original purpose. The TNT area was a top-secret munitions factory during WWII. Little was known about the facilities (even by those who worked there). The factory closed and was abandoned on August 6th, 1945. In case that date doesn’t seem familiar to you, it is the same day the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Since its abandonment, most of the buildings have become home to nesting pigeons. The only building that hasn’t become home to pigeons is an old boiler room that is devoid of all life and is suspected by many as the most likely home of Mothman. Many townsfolk, camera crews, and graffiti artists have explored the entire TNT area but have yet to discover proof of Mothman’s existence.
Another explanation for Mothman’s existence is a case of mistaken identity. Biologists have stated that the description presented in many Mothman sightings also matches the descriptions of the Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis). The most incriminating evidence being that Sandhill cranes have large red patches around their eyes which could be mistaken for glowing red eyes from a distance. In light of this, many people thought that it was a mutant Sandhill crane that had been transformed by toxins from the TNT area that had been dumped into a nearby lake.
Mothman transformed from a spooky legend into an Angel of Death on December 15, 1967, when the Silver Bridge connecting Ohio to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, collapsed killing 46 people. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Mothman on the Silver Bridge just a few days prior to the tragedy. The question began to circulate: was Mothman a warning to the townspeople or a demonic being who brought destruction wherever he flew?
Mothman has transformed Point Pleasant into a tourist destination. Statues and merchandise can be seen throughout the small town. Although sightings have pretty much ceased, the Mothman has left his impression.
What do you think? Was Mothman an elaborate hoax or a simple case of mistaken identity? Or, is Mothman a warning of oncoming destruction?
Conspiracy Theories Editor: Jake Sonderman
Sources referenced:
“An Aerial Mystery.” The New York Times, Sept. 12, 1880.
Elbein, Asher. “Is the Mothman of West Virginia an Owl?” Audubon.org, Oct. 26, 2018.
Reimann, Matt. “The deadliest bridge disaster in US history was caused by a tiny crack just three millimeters deep.” Timeline, July 31, 2017. https://timeline.com/the-deadliest-bridge-disaster-in-us-history-was-caused-by-a-tiny-crack-just-3-millimeters-deep-ca5404c4dffa
West Virginia Ordinance Works. US Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District, 2019.https://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/DERP-FUDS-WVOW-PBOW-WVMA-/West-Virginia-Ordnance-Works/
Wright, Dean. “Recovering remains of Silver Bridge Collapse.” Point Pleasant Register, Jun. 11, 2019.
Wow, more interesting & exciting than a Bigfoot sighting! An great dive into this mythology…
also a great marketing gimmick! Good work!