The legend of Mothman began in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the fall of 1966. This local cryptid has captured the imagination of many, thanks in large part to a local journalist’s coverage. The first reported sighting of this mysterious creature occurred on November 16, 1966, when two couples encountered a large, man-sized bird-like figure in the TNT area near Point Pleasant.
Mothman Sightings: The Beginning
The Point Pleasant Register detailed the initial encounter, whereby witnesses described the creature as standing six to seven feet tall with a ten-foot wingspan and red eyes about two inches in diameter. Steve Mallette and Roger Scarberry were determined to make their claims known, insisting they had not been drinking when they reported the sighting.
- Date of First Sighting: November 16, 1966
- Location: TNT area, Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Reported Height: 6-7 feet
- Wingspan: 10 feet
- Eye Color: Red, with a diameter of 2 inches
Mary Hyre: The Chronicler of Mothman
Mary Hyre, a journalist for The Athens Messenger, played a crucial role in bringing the Mothman to public attention. Her column “Where The Waters Mingle” featured ten articles discussing the creature by the end of 1966. Hyre asked intriguing questions in her pieces, urging readers to consider the creature’s identity and origins.
Her first major article, published shortly after the initial sightings, posed the question: “What stands six feet tall, has wings, and glides at 100 miles an hour?” This intriguing writing style helped increase public interest and speculation around Mothman.
The Mystique Grows
In subsequent columns, Hyre documented various Mothman sightings, leading to a community frenzy. On November 20, the mood shifted slightly as she questioned whether the creature might be a balloon or a crane. However, skepticism did not deter people’s excitement.
- Initial Public Reaction: Increased curiosity and fear
- Regular Sighting Reports: Continued into early 1967
The Silver Bridge Tragedy
On December 15, 1967, a catastrophic event changed the narrative surrounding Mothman. The Silver Bridge collapsed, resulting in 46 fatalities. Hyre covered this tragedy in depth, reflecting on the emotional toll it took on the community.
Hyre stated, “I could easily change the name of my column to Where the Bodies Mingle,” highlighting the disaster’s impact. The bridge, dedicated on August 2, 1928, had become a crucial transport link, and its failure shook Point Pleasant.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Hyre continued to report on the effects of the bridge collapse, interviewing survivors and reflecting on the lingering trauma for those involved. Tragically, she herself passed away on February 16, 1970, her last columns often mentioning the Silver Bridge disaster.
In 1975, John Keel published “The Mothman Prophecies,” connecting Mothman sightings to the bridge disaster. He dedicated the book to Hyre, acknowledging her vital contributions to the Mothman narrative.
The Mothman has since become a part of local folklore and pop culture, a testament to the initial reports and the enduring legacy of Mary Hyre’s journalism. Today, visitors to Point Pleasant can visit the Mothman Museum, celebrating the strange yet fascinating stories of this enigmatic creature.
