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.
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — America’s quintessential Atomic Age monster, Mothman continues to attract attention in the Ohio Valley, so much so that more than 30,000 visitors attended the annual Mothman Festival in West Virginia. As much as people might know or suspect about the legendary beast, which made its first recorded appearance in 1966, three … Read more
PINCH, W.Va. — The legend of a now well-publicized West Virginia monster known regionally as the “White Thing” may have first been documented by a folklore student from Kanawha County in the late 1950s. The tale of the mysterious “malevolent” creature, which was alleged to haunt the hills of western West Virginia, appeared to defy … Read more
SUTTON, W.Va. — Sightings of a bigfoot alleged in the wilderness surrounding Sutton Lake in central West Virginia may have a historical precedent. According to Andrew Smith, executive director of the Braxton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, old news clippings that refer to a “wildman” and more recent stories of an ape-like creature imply that … Read more
PROCIOUS, W.Va. — The strange name of Twistabout Creek in the mountains of central West Virginia may still be a mystery, says a historian questioning a popular local origin story. Cascading down from Twistabout Ridge to join the Elk River in a particularly scenic stretch, the uniquely named stream has been attracting the attention of … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One enduring West Virginia legend posits that the first person of European descent to visit the land now within the boundaries of the Mountain State was a “lunatic.” The late Jim Comstock, publisher of the celebrated West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, briefly mentioned the tale in his work, though little is known of … Read more
CRANY, W.Va. — How did the grave of a soldier from the Shenandoah Valley wind up in one of the most remote and rugged mountain regions in southern West Virginia? According to the legend, as it’s come to be told, a band of marauding Shawnee burned Ralph Stewart’s father at the stake, and so no … Read more
GLEN FERRIS, W.Va. — The arrival of spring in what would become West Virginia in the late 1700s was not met with the enthusiasm with which we might greet it today, for fair weather also increased the potential for attack by native tribes. While the Iroquois and Cherokee had ceded their claim to the region … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Could the body of an unfortunate ship’s clerk lie buried in a murky vault beneath the Ohio River? If the full tale of the horrific Wreck of the Kanawha in the early 1900s is true, there’s a chance it could. However, tracking down the details of that terrible night is problematic. The … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Driven by tourists’ fascination with the eerie and unexplained, West Virginia has developed a statewide paranormal trail, guiding thrill-seekers to its most haunted and spine-chilling destinations. Chelsea Ruby, director of the W.Va. Department of Tourism, says a trail system’s digital passport lets visitors check in at haunted sites, earn points, and unlock … Read more
SUTTON, W.Va. — Sharp-eyed travelers visiting the historic district in downtown Sutton may observe two streams tumbling out of the hills to join the Elk River there. The uppermost stream is “Old Woman Run,” and the lower is “Granny Creek.” According to the late John Davison Sutton, one might suppose they were named for two … Read more
