Lore and Legend
Was the Flatwoods Monster of central West Virginia actually a demon?
FLATWOODS, W.Va. — In the annals of West Virginia lore, the
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Lore and Legend
West Virginia is a land steeped in rich lore and enduring legends that captivate the imagination of visitors and locals alike. From the mysterious Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant to the ghostly tales surrounding the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia is a treasure trove of Appalachian folklore. Deep in its misty hollows and rugged mountains, stories of supernatural creatures, haunted locations, and mysteries have been passed down through generations. These chilling yet fascinating tales make West Virginia a top destination for paranormal enthusiasts and fans of folklore. Whether exploring ancient Native American myths or Civil War ghost stories, West Virginia’s legends add an eerie charm to its scenic beauty.
Lore and Legend
Haunting near Summersville Lake in W.Va. lives on in local memory
SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — The tale of the “Ford Ghost” southwest of Summersville, West Virginia, appears several times in local lore. This telling by J.W. Benjamin, published in the W.Va. Heritage Encyclopedia, couches the story in a manner that captures the essence of a good ghost story with the help of Lonnie E. Legge, who might … Read more
Lore and Legend
Four true ghostly tales recommended for your next West Virginia campfire
PAX, W.Va. — West Virginia is warm enough to welcome family camping at least six months out of the year, and there’s little more exciting about a night under the stars than campfire tales told over roasted marshmallows. As the embers dim, inexplicable sounds come out of the darkness. The crash of a falling branch! … Read more
Lore and Legend
Lilacs are associated with this well-known West Virginia ghost story
ELKINS, W.Va. — Lilacs bloom in April and May in West Virginia, which may be a good time to recall one of its best-known ghost stories — that of the tell-tale lilac bush, a story that’s grown into legend, thanks to the late folklorist Ruth Ann Musick. In 1965, Dr. Musick, who taught folklore at … Read more
Lore and Legend
Notorious bank robber “Pretty Boy Floyd” hid out in West Virginia
SAINT MARYS, W.Va. — West Virginia has always been reasonably peaceful. Violence erupts occasionally, though one might say it’s sleepy in a home-spun Andy Griffith Show way. It had been remarkably free of violent crime during the Great Depression when most folks were too occupied with the business of surviving to carry out a murder. … Read more
Lore and Legend
Bizarre tale of “Moon Man” lives on in remote Braxton County valley
CENTRALIA, W.Va. — The ghost town of Centralia, with no more than a dozen houses and a country store, might seem one of the most isolated communities in West Virginia (though it’s a drive of only 20 miles from the nearest interstate). Now the site of a popular campground bordering the backwaters of scenic Sutton … Read more
Lore and Legend
West Virginia museum curator: locals know there’s a Bigfoot out there
SUTTON, W.Va. — Locals know there’s a Bigfoot, or several of the creatures, living in the forests of central West Virginia, according to the curator of the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum in Sutton, West Virginia. David Petolicchio says that when he established the museum in the town’s historic district in 2021, he had only a … Read more
Lore and Legend
Ghostly tale of Burnt House lives through strange W.Va. town name
BURNT HOUSE, W.Va. — Motorists traveling WV-47 between Weston and Parkersburg are sure to have noticed the sign for the village of Burnt House and wondered about the name. Like every good town name in West Virginia, there’s a story behind it. In this case, it’s a ghost story. The tale goes something like this: … Read more
Lore and Legend
A silver rush in the Ohio Valley near Ravenswood, W.Va., came to naught
SILVER VALLEY, W.Va. — Is there silver in the hills of West Virginia? Parts of what’s now western West Virginia enjoyed a kind of silver rush in the late 1800s, and many prospectors opened mines, though geologists say their efforts were for naught. Geologists seem to agree that strata underlying the valley of the Ohio … Read more
Lore and Legend
Though a rarity in West Virginia, this Clarksburg duel was fought in 1810
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Possibly because of a resurgence of ideas about chivalry and codes of conduct, dueling surged in popularity in the U.S. in the late 1700s, especially in the Deep South. Alexander Hamilton was infamously killed in a duel with sitting vice-president Aaron Burr in 1804 as a result of the trend. But dueling … Read more