Ted Fauster
GREEN BANK, W.Va. — The universe whispers in radio waves, and if we listen carefully, we can hear its stories, but to listen, we must remain very quiet. One of the quietest places on Earth, Green Bank provided scientists the silence they needed to conduct their experiments, to listen. Green Bank, West Virginia, is home … Read more
HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name Helvetia is derived from the Helvetii, a Celtic tribe that once peopled the region now known as Switzerland. But here in the mountains of West Virginia, where fact and folklore mingle, Helvetia simply means “Little Switzerland.” It’s a small hamlet, tucked away in a remote corner … Read more
CORTLAND, W.Va. — Cross-country skiing is enjoying quite a renaissance. As snow-loving retirees, energetic youths, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventurous families search for quieter ways to explore winter landscapes, more people are looking beyond traditional downhill ski resorts. Cross-country skiing offers exercise without crowds, immersion in nature without noise, and winter activities that align with a … Read more
SUTTON, W.Va. — Many West Virginians have heard of a mysterious incident in Braxton County that involved a possibly celestial creature known as the Flatwoods Monster. It was alleged to have appeared in the darkened woods behind the local grade school in 1952, only moments after a “flying saucer” had been sighted scooting over the … Read more
FLATWOODS, W.Va. — In the annals of West Virginia lore, the Flatwoods Monster sighting of September 12, 1952, remains one of the most captivating and controversial reports of an extraterrestrial encounter—or does it? Descriptions of the event have led some to speculate that what a group of young boys encountered one night on the edge … Read more
In the late 1990s, I was asked to pen a book of West Virginia folklore. I opted instead to create my own tales based on local legends, but other legends are more closely grounded in the soil of West Virginia. Maybe you haven’t heard such tales. Perhaps you’re planning a trip to the state. Well, … Read more
PAX, W.Va. — Interest in West Virginia’s haunted places is growing, says a Web developer whose guide to West Virginia ghosts is now ranked No. 1 for hauntings in the United States. The increasing interest in spooky locales is likely a result of a hunger for the paranormal nationally as well as in-state efforts to … Read more
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The Travel Channel ranks two West Virginia landmarks among the most haunted in the United States, but ghost hunters know there are many more. The following five, ranked in 2014, are favorites of Jason Burns and Jonathan Moore, among the state’s best-known purveyors of the paranormal. No. 1: Trans-Allegheny Asylum When Virginians … Read more
