MothmanMothman is a popular cryptid from Point Pleasant West

Moth-man

Moth-man is a popular cryptid from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The easiest way to describe this creature is as a man-sized bird creature. He was first seen in November of 1966. There are multiple accounts of the first sighting. Some sources say it was by gravediggers in Clendenin, WV. Other sources say the first sighting was by two couples when they were driving by an abandoned TNT plant. Both were among the first sightings of Moth-man who was described as a “large flying man with 10-foot wings and glowing red eyes.

” (Dinan) When the creature was reported newspapers dubbed it Moth-man. He became a national sensation.

The Moth-man sightings continued for a little over a year. Alongside the Moth-man sightings were reports of UFOs and men in black. In December of 1967, the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant, WV to Gallipolis, OH collapsed killing forty-six people. The collapse made headlines all over the country. The citizens of both cities were shocked with horror and disbelief, the affects of the tragedy still felt.

Apparently, some people claimed to see Moth-man at the bridge. They believed that his presence there was as a harbinger since it was right before the collapse.

Too many people have witnessed this creature to lay down the claim that Moth-man is a hoax. There are plausible explanations for the sightings but nearly (if not all) are rejected. Some of the cases could have been hoaxes but not all of them.

Many believe that the collapse of the bridge and the sightings of Moth-man are connected the legendary Cornstalk curse.

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That Chief Cornstalk can now rest in piece as he and his people were finally avenged due to the deaths of some of those on the bridge.

In other areas of the world a moth-man like creature has been reported to be seen before disasters. The world may never know the truth behind Moth-man because there haven’t been any sightings of him in the Appalachian area since the collapse of the bridge.

Cold Man

Indrid Cold, also known as the Grinning Man. He was first encountered around the time that Moth-man was first being sighted. He is described to be wearing a green suit and is over six feet tall with a dark complexion and far apart beady eyes. Others describe him to be wearing a blue suit instead of green.

The first sighting of this man is in 1966. Two boys in New Jersey were walking down a street when they saw him standing behind a fence. The man turned around, stared at them with a huge grin and then proceeded to chase them until they got away.

The second sighting was a month later in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Woodrow Derenberger was driving on Interstate 77 when he heard a crash. A strange vehicle described as an old-fashioned kerosene lamp landed in front of his truck. The man came out of the vehicle and proceeded to have a telepathic conversation with Woodrow. Telling him that he wanted to know more about mankind. Afterwards he said that he would visit Woodrow again.

A third sighting happened in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. At the home of the Lilly family there were reports of poltergeist activity. The daughter, Linda, woke up one night to see a grinning man standing over her. He disappeared after she screamed and hid under the covers.

There are many different theories as to what Cold is or what he is associated with. Some believe he is an alien due to the UFO activity that he is commonly associated with. Others believe that he is connected with the Men In Black. Woodrow claims that he was told that Cold is from an alien species of grinning men. Many are of the belief that he is a normal man and that the fear of moth-man created this cryptid.

The Bell Witch

This tale begins in 1803, with John and Lucy Bell. The Bells were farmers who settled in 1803 and living peacefully on their land for fourteen years. In 1817 they started experiencing the unexplained in their home. Hearing noises such as scratching, knocking, and chains dragged across the floor. Over time these noises became more frequent and intense. Then these things became focused on the Bell’s two daughters.

They remained quiet for a while and then later told their neighbor. The news spread like wildfire. People all over started to come to the Bell farm to experience these things for themselves. As the being gained more and more attention, it became stronger. Strong enough to develop a voice. Many had taken accounts as to what this being would speak of, some saying that it liked to argue over religion and to make fun of people. Except Lucy Bell for some reason. At some point it said that its purpose was to kill John Bell.

When John Bell died on December 20, 1820 the being claimed to have killed him and then seemingly left the family. Things returned to normal, at least until Betsy Bell became engaged in 1821. The being started up all the unknown things again until the engagement was broken off. After that, it promised to return in seven years and then vanished.

After seven years passed it was John Bell Jr.’s turn to be haunted by the being. Now known as the Bell Witch, they talked for three nights about the past, present and future. Then the witch promised to return in 107 years and bid farewell.

No one knows if the witch did return in 1935, there were mixed answers when some were asked. Some said she did others said she didn’t. The true story was never uncovered. And like any tale of the paranormal there are those who believe and those who would do anything to disprove it.

Bigfoot

Bigfoot is a common tale across the world. There are multiple sightings from all over, so this particular creature isn’t limited to the Appalachian region. He is known around the world as Sasquatch or Yeti and locally has received the names Boojum and Wood Booger. Bigfoot is an ape-like creature who likes to hide in deep, dark forests leaving only gigantic footprints behind.

The tale of Bigfoot can be traced back to Europe’s tale of the Wild Man, a mythical figure with hair all over it’s body who lives like a beast. Just like Bigfoot, the Wild Man can be found in literature as early as the second century BC. (Dinan) Bigfoot is also found in the oral stories of the Native Americans. He also has constantly been studied and scrutinized by scientists and the internet.

Brown Mountain Lights

Above Brown Mountain, North Carolina eerie lights have been spotted in the sky for over a century. They are glowing orbs that suddenly disappear or soundlessly explode after a certain amount of time. Though the lights can be traced back to the Cherokee and Catawba Indians, the first reported sighting was in 1913 by a fisherman who saw red lights dancing above the horizon. Over the years the sightings continued. In 1922, the U.S. Geological Society investigated and wrote it off as headlights of cars or trains. Soon after the study, a major flood struck the area and wiped out the roads and all electrical power. Trains were inoperative in the area for a while afterwards. The lights continued to be seen.

Many theories have spawned about the lights. Some claim they are the ghosts of slaves looking for a lost master. Others claim that they are caused by UFOs. Native American folklore suggests that they are the ghosts of women searching the mountainside for fallen warriors after a battle between the Cherokee and the Catawba.

There are some scientific explanations for these lights however. Though there isn’t a definitive explanation, ball lightning and natural mountain gases are two theories that are wildly accepted. Whatever they are, they are a popular tourist attraction for North Carolina. They can be seen from the Brown Mountain Overlook on Highway 181.

Flat Woods Monster

The Flat Woods Monster is reported to be a 10-foot monster with blood red skin and a glowing green body. First and last seen in the later half of summer in 1952, Edward and Fred May witnessed a UFO fly across the sky and land on a farm. Intrigued the head out to the farm. Near dusk they come across the UFO. An odd shaped thing that was glowing red with smoke and steam. There one of the others shined a light on the monster who hissed and moved towards the group causing the group to panic, faint, or throw up. A little bit later, several men with shotguns returned. They didn’t find much aside from a horrible smell and slight heat waves. What could be gathered was sent to D.C. and never seen again. This incident was the second or third of its kind, and the first with so many witnesses. Now there is a sign commemorating the event and claiming the town as the home of the monster.

The Moon Eyed People

According to Cherokee legend, the moon eyed people were a race of small, white skinned beings with bearded faces and large blue eyes. They were only active by the light of the moon. This being due to supposed sun sensitivity. The legend says that they either abandoned or were driven from their home, never to be seen again. Though thought to have gone underground.

There are those who believe that these people were Welsh in origins being the descendants of voyagers that were never heard from again. In the area, a soapstone carving of conjoined twins was found. Now displayed in the Cherokee County Historical Museum the carving features a two headed figure with eyes to large for their faces. This carving is thought to depict the Moon-Eyed people.

The White Things

The White Things are cryptids that take on many forms; mostly taking on the form of hellhounds. Reports always state at them having a spectral quality. They are more spirit than animal viciously attacking without leaving a mark. Native American folklore states that they hint at imminent death akin to the American banshee. They are also thought to be related to Europe’s omens of death and misfortune, the black dogs or Grimm.

Some have reported to seeing them around the same time as the Moth-man sightings. A possible origin story comes from a South Carolina folktale. This tale starts with a man and his white dog who were traveling when they came across a murder. The locals, after falsely accusing him, killed him. His dog tried to defend his master but was shot and wounded. The locals eventually figured out that they’d attacked the wrong man but it was too late. The dog and his master’s body had disappeared. Later a ghostly dog began attacking the locals who were responsible. Either seriously wounding them or killing family members.

Conclusion

Paranormal activity has been reported all over the world for centuries. From stories of creatures passed down generation after generation to those spawned from curses or fairy tales. Appalachia is no different. The Appalachian Mountains are the perfect place to find evidence of the paranormal.