Mothman Statue
This gleaming, 12-foot-tall metallic sculpture depicts Point Pleasant's most famous and elusive resident, complete with massive wings and striking red eyes. Created by artist Bob Roach, it stands in the center of town as a tribute to the legendary cryptid sightings of 1966 and 1967. It is a must-stop photo opportunity, particularly for those looking to snap a picture with its famously shiny, highly polished posterior.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Duration
- 10-15 minutes
- Parking
- Free street parking is available along Main Street.
- Access
- Fully wheelchair accessible as the statue is located on a flat, paved public sidewalk.
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Standing proudly in the center of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the Mothman Statue is a striking, twelve-foot-tall monument to one of America’s most enduring modern cryptids. Unveiled in 2003, the polished stainless-steel sculpture captures the terrifying yet mesmerizing likeness of the legendary creature: a muscular, humanoid figure with massive, ribbed wings, sharp talons, and bulbous, glowing red eyes. Created by local sculptor and artist Bob Roach, the statue serves as the focal point of Gunn Park, drawing thousands of curious travelers, paranormal enthusiasts, and road-trippers to this quiet Ohio River town every year.
The statue’s origin is deeply tied to the town's history and its effort to embrace a dark chapter of its past. Between November 1966 and December 1967, numerous residents reported sightings of a winged, red-eyed beast lurking around the nearby TNT area, a defunct WWII munitions site. These sightings culminated in the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge on December 15, 1967, which resulted in the loss of 46 lives. In the decades that followed, the creature became inextricably linked with the disaster, viewed by many as either a harbinger of doom or a tragic witness to the event.
To create the monument, Roach hand-pressed and welded individual sheets of steel, giving the Mothman a textured, almost organic appearance. Its eyes are made of spherical red glass that eerily catches the ambient light of the streetlamps at night. Rather than shying away from the unsettling folklore, the community of Point Pleasant commissioned the piece to celebrate their unique history, transforming a local scare into a source of civic pride and tourism.
Today, visiting the statue is a participatory experience. The base features a bronze plaque detailing the timeline of the 1966–1967 sightings. Curiously, a lighthearted modern tradition has also developed around the sculpture: visitors frequently rub the statue's remarkably athletic and highly polished metallic backside for good luck, keeping that specific portion of the steel gleaming brighter than the rest of the monument.
Ratings
attractionLore & References
- The 1966 SightingsLocals first reported a giant, winged creature with glowing red eyes chasing their car near an abandoned TNT factory in November 1966, sparking a year of panic.
- The Silver Bridge HarbingerLocal legend holds that the creature was a herald of tragedy, appearing repeatedly to warn the town before the catastrophic collapse of the nearby Silver Bridge.
- The Shiny PosteriorA lighthearted modern superstition claims that rubbing the statue's prominent metallic buttocks brings good luck, leaving that specific spot polished mirror-bright by tourists.
Visitor Tips
- ◆ Visit after dark to see the statue's red eyes glowing under the streetlights, which offers a much creepier and more atmospheric photo opportunity.
- ◆ Pair your visit with a stop at the Mothman Museum and Research Center, located just across the street, to view historical archives and press clippings.
- ◆ If you plan to visit during the annual Mothman Festival in September, expect massive crowds and long lines just to get a photo with the statue.
- ◆ Look closely at the plaque on the stone pedestal to read the official local account of the sightings and the Silver Bridge disaster.
Heads Up
- ◆ The stainless steel surface can become extremely hot to the touch during direct sunlight on peak summer days.
- ◆ Street parking directly adjacent to Gunn Park is limited, though free public parking is usually available within a short walking distance.
Common questions
Is there a fee to see the Mothman Statue?
No, the statue is located outdoors in a public plaza and is completely free to visit at any time.
Can you visit the Mothman Statue at night?
Yes, the statue is accessible 24 hours a day and is illuminated by spotlights after dark.
Where do you park to see the Mothman Statue?
Free parallel street parking is available directly along Main Street and 4th Street surrounding the plaza where the statue stands.