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.
BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on Wednesday to look up, the full moon that rises over West Virginia will be more than a pale, familiar globe. It’s the closest and brightest full moon of the year—a supermoon popularly known as the “Beaver Moon.” Its name carries echoes of state history stretching back … Read more
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary Mountain State cryptid is still capturing the imagination of West Virginians a half century later. On a warm July day in 1968, in the hills near Grant Town, West Virginia, Jennings Frederick was hunting for groundhogs when he heard a high-pitched noise that morphed into a … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite Halloween traditions in the U.S. have been brewing for thousands of years, according to two West Virginia University religious scholars. Aaron Gale and Alex Snow, associate professors of religious studies in the university’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in Morgantown, West Virginia, say that modern … Read more
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of all Appalachian legends is that of the tale of the Lost Silver Mine of Johnathan Swift. More than 200 years after the alleged events in this story transpired, treasure hunters continue to search for the vein of silver that Swift claimed to have lost. Many believe … Read more
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that almost anyone who has listened to or read the history of American folk songs is familiar with the haunting melody and words of the “Shenandoah” folk song. “Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, Roll away, you rolling river Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, … Read more
RIFFLE, W.Va.— The blockbuster Men in Black film franchise might seem a world away from the hills of West Virginia, but the legend starts here in a quiet corner of the Mountain State where an obscure and mysterious writer sat pecking away on his typewriter. Gray Barker, born 100 years ago in Riffle, in Braxton … Read more
LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a procession of billions of ravenous “worms” passed through the hills of eastern Wetzel County, spreading disorder wherever it traveled. Some who saw it claim to have been attacked in the march. Others claimed to have lost crops and, seemingly, cattle. Wetzel County worm invasion shocks residents … Read more
BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000 motorists speed past the turn-offs onto Polemic Run Road in central West Virginia, but few leave the expressway and wander into the wooded hills to the west. Those who do gain access to a world few others see. The one-lane road mounts steeply up Barnett Hill, … Read more
GREEN BANK, W.Va. — A renowned paranormal investigator says West Virginia has a remarkable association with UFO activity because of its role in the search for extraterrestrial life and because it was the location of many early alleged UFO encounters. Dave Spinks, perhaps best known for his appearances on the Travel Channel, the History Channel, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Which are the five most haunted towns in West Virginia? That’s hard to say, such things being difficult to pin down. (We encourage readers to add their favorite haunted towns in the comments at the end of the article.) By and large, West Virginians love ghost stories, and as a result of … Read more
