Season two of Not Your Average Bucket List: Local Lore & Legends is full-steam ahead as Sara and Marisa head to West Virginia to talk all things haunted, creepy, and terrifying. Who knew that there were so many West Virginia cryptids and Appalachian monsters worth talking about for an entire episode? Within episode five, our hosts discuss a few of the best Appalachian folklore, monsters, and superstitions. This episode dives into the West Virginia Flatwoods Monster and how this creature came to be. Plus, have you ever heard about The Mothman? Did you know this Appalachian creature was from West Virginia? Our hosts also discuss The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, from its inception in 1864 all the way to the overnight ghost stories today.

West Virginia Urban Legend Questions We’ll Cover

The Flatwoods Monster Of West Virginia

This is true West Virginia folklore at its finest. The Flatwoods Monster was first spotted on September 12, 1952, when a group of boys playing football in a field near the town saw a bright object streak across the sky and crash land on a nearby hill. They gathered a group of adults and went to investigate, and when they reached the top of the hill, they claimed to have seen the creature hovering in the air. Was it an extraterrestrial? A cryptid?  The creature was described as a tall, humanoid figure with a large, spade-shaped head, glowing red eyes, and a dark, metallic body. It is said to have clawed hands and a distinct, hissing sound. Learn about this monster and the annual Flatwoods Monster Festival, which includes tours of the town's most famous Monster-related sites, guest speakers, and other events.

The Mothman of Point Pleasant

The Point Pleasant Mothman is a legendary creature said to inhabit the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. This creature or cryptid is about as terrifying as they come, with wings, glowing red eyes, and the ability to fly. Plus, this is HUGE, with a wingspan of 10-15 feet and about 6-7 feet in height. The Mothman was first sighted in the 1960s and was said to be responsible for strange occurrences in the town, including the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The legends have become a really popular draw for people to the town who want to scope out the Mothman for themselves. Since the initial sighting, The Mothman has been reportedly seen over 100 times. People claimed to have seen it perched on the roofs of buildings, while others claimed it chased them in their cars or flew alongside them as they drove.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

The history behind this mental health facility is quite bleak. Thousands of people were treated here - hundreds died. It was opened in 1864 and originally was designed to hold 250 patients at a time. In the 1950s, it held around 2400. The asylum closed in 1994 and is said to be haunted by the people who died there. Unexplained phenomena caused the assumption it’s haunted: mysterious voices, sounds, and visible apparitions. Many TV shows were filmed here, attempting to prove the hauntings are real. Anyone who wants to tour this place can do so. Ghost tours, overnight hunts, you name it.

Timestamps:

(10:35:00) The West Virginia Flatwoods Monster

(16:10:00) The Urban Legends Of The Mothman of Point Pleasant

(25:56:00) Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Facts & History

In this episode, Sara and Marisa discuss some of the creepiest and most popular urban legends in Appalachia to this day. Plus, they share some tips for staying at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum overnight - would you be brave enough? Also, in the episode, they said they would drop the link for the story behind how Zona Heaster Shue solved her own murder from behind the grave. Read all about it here, and make sure to shout out your thoughts through our text or email!

Are you ready to tune into the episode? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Get In Touch!

If you have personal experiences with any of the best West Virginia urban legends mentioned above, call or text 805-298-1420! We’d love to hear your thoughts on these creepy, potentially haunted places and maybe even share your clip on the show! You can also reach out to us via email at [email protected].