Mothman: Point Pleasant VW and First Ladies National Historical Park

 Point Pleasant West Virginia

March 5th- March 7th 2024

So...Kelly and I are super crazy, and we decided to make a trip for the sole purpose of seeking out the illicit Mothman of West Virginia. 

DAY 1:

The first day was full of driving. New York on the throughway to a short stink into Pennsylvania and finally we made it into the state of Ohio! 

A few more miles down the road and I saw a sign for Fannie May Chocolate tour. We decided to at least take a look and break up the ride a little bit. Plus who can resist a chocolate tour. 

I've actually never heard of this brand of chocolate, but apparently the company has been around since the 1920's. Primarily sold in the mid-west, Founder H Teller Archibald started the company in Chicago with just a few simple recipes and the company has over 100 different candies it sells today. 

During WWII the company continued to use the same ingredients despite the difficulty of obtaining some products defining the candies quality which has sustained the brand. It is also,

according to the Union of orthodox Jewish congregation certified to be kosher. 
In 1980 the company opened its first store outside of Chicago and in 1992 the company expanded purchasing Fanny Farmer. (I do remember this candy as a kid). that same year the company had over 200 retail stores. Taking on Fanny Farmer was to much and Archibald had to file for bankruptcy. 

In 2004 Alpine Confections purchased the company and moved all production to Green, Ohio.

In 2006 the company again was sold. This time to 1-800 Flowers. Today the company is owned by Italian  confectionery giant Ferrero SpA. This might all be to much information, and now that I have typed it out, I'm feeling is really is too. Kelly and I did take the tour. It seems most people don't and they did seemed a little surprised about our desire to take it.  No pictures were allowed, but we did get a sample of chocolates. (several actually because we were the only two on the tour.) I purchased some discounted Valentines day chocolates for the kids, because the candy ain't cheep. 

We drove on finally feeling it was all a little to much to try and get to our destination today, and found a hotel in Ohio for the night. Pool, and breakfast included. 

DAY 2: Kelly and I had a rough night. I snore and apparently its bad. So she was done with me and I was irritated with her. Somehow we would have to figure out the rest of the trip. She slept in the bathtub...Wow! (hopefully I kept her up so late last night that she sleeps through anything tonight.)

Anyway, back on the road. 

Point Pleasant WV is right along the Ohio border and our hotel for the next two nights was in Ohio right across the bridge. Im not positive if it is the famous bridge, but I will give you more on that as we get into the history of Point Pleasant. 

So...Point Pleasant actually has some really interesting and tragic history. The area was originally territory of the Shawnee Natives or Chinodahichetha Indians, and as the country had grown with colonist British settlers also began to settle in the area.

In 1749 French explorer Pierre Joseph Celoron de Blainville claimed the Ohio Valley placing a plaque where the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers meet. The plaque written in French, claimed possession of the rivers and the land surrounding the banks. The inhabiting Natives and British refused to leave eventually leading to the French and Indian War (7-years War).  (If your unaware, the British basically won.)

Along the River bank is a lovely park that displays these beautiful murals that provide a picture to go with the history. 

Colonel George Washington visited Point Pleasant in 1770. He is known to have termed the area as a "pleasant point." thus the towns name. 

In 1774 The Battle of Point Pleasant was fought.  The local historians have identified this battle as the start of the Revolutionary War, but really it was part of the Lord Dunmore War. Which I have never heard of, so I had to look into this. The Dunmore War was a brief conflict between the British colony of Virginia and the Shawnee and Mingo trans Appalachia tribes. Lord Dunmore (John Murry) was the last Royal Governor of the Virginia Territory appointed by the King. 

This point was considered a conspiracy brought on by Lord Dunmore himself, as he attempted to align himself with the natives as the Revolutionary war began. 

Below is the correction that this was not really considered part of the Revolutionary War. 

(Below is the Point Pleasant Battle momument)

This battle occurred between Chief Cornstalk and General Andrew Lewis, (a member of Lord Dunmore's militia) over land disputes. Lewis had a troop of about 1,000 men while Cornstalk lead tribe members of 3,000-5,000. Both sides were anxious about the conflict. Although Cornstalk out numbers the British, they knew they did not have the gun power the British colonist had. In an attempt to prevent the battle. Cornstalk sent a non English speaking native to offer a peace agreement. It was interpreted as a declaration of war starting an intensive day long battle considered to be extremely brutal. Eventually, Cornstalks men retreat. 

75 British colonists were dead and over 140 wounded. It is unknown how many natives were killed as many bodies were thrown into the Ohio River. Cornstalk offered peace agreeing to the signing of the Camp Charlotte treaty which ended the conflict. 

As history of the country moved forward and the Revolutionary War began, Chief Cornstalk attempted to stay neutral. However, another Shawnee leader; Blue Jacket favored the British and believed the promise that should the British win, there would be no more colonial expansion. During these wars, Cornstalk and his son; Elinipsico were imprisoned and later killed by Point Pleasant colonist in retaliation for Native attacks on the colonists. Angered by his death many of the Shawnee's joined Blue Jacket and sided with the British. 

It is said that upon his death Cornstalk uttered a curse that forever haunts the town of Point Pleasant. From that point forward any tragedy that occurred in Point Pleasant was attributed to Cornstalks curse. 

In fact there was a terrible tragedy that occurred here in Point Pleasant. The Silver Bridge collapse of 1967. (details later)

Statue of Chief Cornstalk. 

Chief Cornstalks monument. 

General Andrew Lewis

Lord Dunmore

After the ending of the Revolutionary War, Point Pleasant played a significant role in the expansion of the American frontier. The location of the two rivers made for a hub of river transportation and boat building. Many people heading for the west made their way through Point Pleasant. 

Results of the Westward expansion and manifest destiny. 

Frontiersman, Daniel Boone resided in Point Pleasant in 1788 where he operated a trading post exchanging goods with settlers and native Americans. I do not have a ton of knowledge about Boone but apparently he had both legal and financial problems which eventually drove him out of the area and into Missouri.

Below is Mad Anne Bailey. She was a frontierswoman who fought with bravery and assisted in the expansion of the country. 

She was both a story teller and a scout who served in the fights of the American revolution. Her single person ride in search of powder supplies supports her bravery and her heroism. 

Below is a stone believed to be an alter stone of the Shawnee tribe. Native American burial grounds and reported to be scattered through out the area also adding to the curse and the towns allure of supernatural.

So...about the Silver Bridge. 
(pictured here are two different bridges because I was never given clarification on which bridge was the silver...I can conclude that the one that is not green...but silver is possibly the Silver bridge to be discussed about.... Although the official name of the bridge is the Point Pleasant Bridge....so there is that.)

Below is the only thing in the town that I could find on the subject. The Mothman museum has several newspaper clippings, recorded accounts of the event and additional information about the tragedy. 

Anyway, on December 15th 1967 the bridge suddenly collapsed during heavy rush hour traffic. 

The tragedy resulted in the death of 46 people. 

Of course Cornstalk's curse was the cause, but it was also due to the failure of an eye bar that was flawed by just 2.2 mm causing a fracture. Also at the time of the bridge collapse the town was aware of the mothman. He too, or she we really don't know has also been accused to the bridge's failure. 

Pictures on the water....

BUT......who is or what is the Mothman?  

Below is the story......

The Mothman is a legendary creature who looks very much like this statue. Most reported sightings (nearly 100 reported) surfaced between November of 1966- December of 1967,  but there were similar reports of strange creatures termed "the bird man" being seen as early as 1914. Sightings continued throughout the 1940's often in concurrence with tragedy or bad luck. 

Additionally, reports of ghosts throughout the Appalachia Mountains and strange orbs of lights were documented. Another creature termed the Flatwood Monster was first reported in 1952 followed by orbs of light. The area certainly had its share of STRANGE things happening. 

Despite the signifigance of the battles, frontier expansion, bad omens, ghosts, creatures, strange orbs of light and the bridge tragedy...what has really put Point Pleasant on the map is this guy...The Mothman and the strange things that happened in 1966-1967. There is even a movie with Richard Gere about the creature. Paranormal, cryptids, aliens, mythical creatures, have all become so popular today in part due to the many of shows on tv as well as the youtube explorers. 

I would not know anything about him had I need seen some video or tv program. His (her) popularity has sparked visitors to the area and prompted an annual Mothman Festival. (Kelly and I were not here for the festival.)

We did have to visit the museum however....

I'm not sure what I expected, but the museum was much better then I thought it would offer. 

The museum featured several clippings of the 1967 bridge incident, as well as some video recordings.

In addition to the news clippings about the bridge tragedy, there was a section about the filming of the movie The Mothman Prophecies starting Richard Gere in 2002 was based upon the book written by  John Keel.

The film is based upon the lore of the Mothman, but it is more of a psychological thriller as the main character is taken over by thoughts implied to be put into his head by the mothman, or rather the dark omen that was associated with the Mothman.  It's not really a story about the town during the time of the mothman sightings, which was between the years of 1966-1967. (Although there have been reports as recent as 2022)

As the story goes.......1966-1977

In November of 1966, two young couples Roger and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette reported to police that a large creature with glowing red eyes had flown after their car and followed them into town as they were driving near the TNT area. As the couples fled the creature pursued them making screetching sounds and attacking the car. They reported they were driving 90-100 MPH with the "mothman" keeping pace. 

Once the media told the story, the people  of the area became a driving force to find this creature. Armed with guns and other weapons, miles of cars lined the roadway into the TNT area in search. The "mothhunt" became so out of control the National Guard had to step in and take control. 

Over the next year more and more reports of sightings filtered in as well as other odd reports such as UFO reports, strange buzzing noises, missing items, and eventually the bridge incident. 

On November 2nd, 1966 Sewing machine Salesmen, Woodrow Darrenburger reported he saw an extraterrestrial being in the roadway who spoke with him telepathically. Darrenburger who later reported visits to this being's home somewhere in space many times, informed the media that his name was "Ingrid Cold". That same evening two men reported an encounter with an alien being they called "the grinning man" also to be believed to be "Ingrid Cold". (there is a whole story about Ingrid Cold if you want to chase that internet rabbit hole.)

Marca Bennett reported a story at the TNT area where she and her brother in law saw a UFO and an alien that she reported had chased her and her young daughter into one of the TNT bunkers. There are several reports of both the Mothman and UFO's can be found if you search the internet. (there are multiple witness accounts). 

Also during the multiple strange reports, also came the reports of strangers that started to be sighted in the city. Men like in the movie "Men in Black" 

During the sightings of the MIB in town, people who had made reports of the sightings get visits from these MIB followed by "threats" and confrontations about "keeping quiet". Reports all appear to be intimidating encounters. It is not known who these men were. 

Reports continued throughout 1967. Sightings of the mothman, a birdmen, strange lights, flying saucers, aliens, and even little green men. The reports continued and the talk escalated.  Then in December of 1967.....the Silver bridge collapsed. The reports of the mothman died after that. 

The frenzy had ceased. The movie in 2002 brought back discussion and an increased interest in both the area and the search for their own personal sightings has grown the mothman discussion today prompting many to come and visit. (I guess that would be Kelly and I).

(below is a replica of the North Power plant, and abandoned bunker buildings located in the TNT area thought to be the home of the Mothman)

Many of the art pieces made based upon the reported sightings. 

and a funny cartoon. 

I actually really enjoyed the museum. How is it that so many people could have seen something and there not be some kind of truth to the story? Still so many unanswered questions and even more theories. The history of the area from the blood shed, the Native American reported curse, the toxins from the military industry and power plant....is there an answer a reason? We can only speculate. 

Kelly and I visited the stores nearby and walked into stores featuring all and any cryptic creature or UFO related paraphernalia you could think of. I got several items for the family, and found a sticker that read I went to Pt Pleasant to touch the SHINY HINEY.....We learned that everyone must rub the butt of the statue in the center of town. I had a scare from Big Foot and drank a Mothman Root Beer.

After the museum, and some shopping, Kelly and I decided to actually venture into the TNT area, where the Mothman had been sighted most often. 

The TNT area was once home to a $45 million militia manufacturing company from 1942-1945, eventually abandoned after WW II. In the years that followed it was used as a dumping ground for chemical waste etc before it was given to the State as a Wildlife Management Area. In the 1960's teenagers would frequent the area for parties, drag racing and "lovers lane". 

Now, clearly after all the information about the Mothman and other strange reports in and around the area, I was already on edge about this location, but it is....after all now a wildlife area now. It cannot be all that bad. 

Well, let me tell you that once we started down the long abandoned gravel road....it became incredibly clear that this area holds something uneasily different from the other areas we had been through. 

We drove for what seemed like forever, not seeing anything. No signs no people, no nothing, and the road was not, as the driver...safe. I just kept thinking what if something happens...what if my car slides off the wet gravel embankment. There was NO CELL SERVICE....there did not appear to be any "HUMANS" in the area and we....well, both have a BIG IMAGINATION....or maybe it just simply was CREEPY. Kelly wanted me to keep going, but something just told me to turn around and head the freak out of there. 

Which we did and  we realized on the way out, we had missed the area where there was one of the bunkers. (SO glad I didn't just keep driving deeper and deeper into the woods.)

There was just an overwhelming feeling of ICK and we walked into the wood and past the toxic looking pond towards one of the bunkers...

Something just didn't seem right. I took a video as we approached the bunker and I noted just how eerily quiet. Like where were the bugs, the birds....not even any rustling of leaves as the wind blew. I totally felt an unseen presence of bad mojo.....but we continued. 

We made our way just inside the bunker. The video was funny because Kelly was stating she was going to walk right in there...and insisted that I go with her. I screamed making her jump. We fortunately didn't see anything, but it was incredibly creepy. 

After this non encounter  with the Mothman, we made our way to a diner for lunch where we informed the waitress of our adventures....she and other locals were shocked about our jaunt to the TNT area. She referred to it as the haunted Indian burial grounds and told us.....People disappear in that area. WHAT???? Okay, I'm done, give me some pie and lets call it a day.  The pie was yummy BTW.

After dinner we made one more stop in town to see about a Ghost tour at the local old hotel. It was closed for renovation, but we had an opportunity to actually touch the shiny hiney before heading to the hotel for the night.

The hotel is rumored to host ghosts;  Juliette Smith dancing on the mezzanine, legless Captain Jim who haunts room 316, a whistling maid, and a tricycling riding young girl. The 1900's historic hotel, was unfortunately closed on our visit. Do you see anything in the windows?

We touched the hiney before calling it a very LONG day and headed to the hotel for the night.

DAY 3:

Heading home.....We had breakfast at the hotel before heading back on the road for a 81/2 hour ride to home. I did have one stop I wanted to make as we past right by and that was to the Ladies First National Historical Site. 

We first stopped to stretch our legs at this Riverside park which featured several old boats and a Pilothouse. (I'd never heard of this).  Taken from the internet. A pilothouse (or Wheelhouse) is an enclosed structure on a ship or boat typically located on the upper deck that serves as the control or navigation center. Unfortunately the center was closed, but it was nice just to walk around. 

Anyways...we were back in the car and heading North to Canton Ohio. Here we stopped at the First Ladies NHS.

( I am trying to hit as many National Park sites as I can before I die. There are somewhere like 425 such sites. Currently I have visited like 120...I've got a long way to go. )

The visitor center offers several of the artifacts from the many 1st ladies our country has had. Below are many of the dresses/outfits. 

(Jackie Kennedy's wedding gown)

Kelly and I wearing Jackie's signature shades. 

There was quite a bit about Jackie featured. (Since I do not remember much of this stop, I will write what I reported in my journal.)

The park consists of a museum and for a small additional fee entrance into the Saxon House. Many of the items were from Jackie Kennedy. She is perhaps one of the most remembered or loved First Lady due to her style, beauty and resilience after loosing both her presidential husband and young son. It is weird to see all these ladies over time, and how the role of first lady has changed as the years have progressed. Some were gifted, talented women who took on their role with such grace. Of course Martha is one who we consider as she was the very 1st  1st lady. The role did not have the same definition as it has today. Dolly Madison is considered as a sweet and understanding woman whose name later landed on some yummy treats that were as sweet as she was herself. Mary Lincoln Todd, is recalled because of her loss, as well as her unique belief in ghosts. (We got you Martha...I believe too)

Eleanor Roosevelt, having her very own National Park, stands out for her assertive role as first lady talking political action on social issues and human rights. Or there is Nancy Reagan, who I best remember her for her War on Drugs..."Just say No". (Yeah Nancy that didn't work!). Hillary Clinton for so many things...but lets keep it nice....her husbands affair to her own political career-Yes I did vote for her. I'll mention Jill...( sorry DR Jill) only because she is our current 1st lady.

There was a section on some of the first ladies and discussion about their role/influence on the president.  Lou Hoover. 

Helen Taft

Grace Coolidge

Edith Roosevelt

Mary Lincoln

Jackie Kennedy

Michelle Obama

Frances Cleveland.

There were some interesting things about the wives role in the campaign.

and this cute little display about young Caroline Kennedy. 

Up next we visited the Saxton house. The home was once the childhood home to Ida Saxton McKinley. Wife of president William McKinley. She and her presidential husband also once lived there during the years that William was serving as a member of the house of Representatives. (1887-1891)

This beautiful  carefully restored Victorian home is the only piece of  historical property tied to president McKinley after his assassination in 1901. 

The home was built by Ida's grandfather in 1841 and Ida was raised in the home and it remained in the family until 1919. The couple, William and Ida resided in the home from 1878-1891. 

Ida had married William in 1871 and they moved into a home purchased by her father several blocks north of the Saxton house. 

The six years that followed the marriage, were quite difficult for Ida. She and William had lost both of their daughters when young, her mother had also passed away suddenly and Ida's health was of a concern and William lost his seat in the house. They moved back into the Saxton residence during this time period. (Our tour guild showed us the room that was once where these two lived, located in the attic. (It is not currently renovated)

In 1891 William was elected as Governor of Ohio, and the couple moved to Columbus. In 1895, the presidential campaign began, and they returned to Saxton house using their previous home in Canton as a campaign office. 

Ida....

There are some interesting facts about the residence and  the steps taken to restore the property as over the years it was held by multiple people and organizations. In 2000 the property became part of the First Ladies NHS, but there have continued to be financial issues around the maintenance of the building. 

Up next we drove to the William McKinley Memorial. 

I really do not know much about this president only that he was assassinated at the World Fair in Buffalo NY in 1901, he was the 25th president and that Teddy Roosevelt (then VP) was inaugurated upon his death.  Wiki reports he led the US during the Spanish American War, gained control over PR, Guam and the Philippines. Helped to annex Hawaii. Held a strong belief in tariffs, and made Gold the standard for US money. Not so terrible hun....so I had to explore why he was assassinated....

He was killed by Leon Czolgosz , a man who rejected governmental authority and viewed his role as oppressive. Hummm...now we know. 

Anyways, it was a very exciting and educating trip. I can't wait for the next one. TTFN