West Virginia is a state rich in history and beauty, but it has also had its share of weird occurrences. Strange things have happened here and some of them have no explanation, rhyme or reason. Others might be put down to good old West Virginia quirkiness.

1. Weeping Woman Statue

In Parkersburg, West Virginia there is a graveyard statue that is the center of a local legend. The statue known as the Weeping Woman sits in the Riverview cemetery and looks over the Jackson family plot, relatives of General Stonewall Jackson. Legend has it that during a full moon the statue stands up and wanders through the cemetery weeping over the conflict between the north and the south. Visitors have reported seeing the statue move and the Weeping Woman has been photographed with her hands resting in different positions.

2. The Braxton County Monster

On September 12, 1952 a group of kids playing at the school playground in Flatwoods reported seeing an object fall from the sky just before nightfall. Curious, the boys decided to search for the object. As they topped the hill they say the air had a metallic smell and their eyes began to burn. They saw a burning, hissing object about a hundred yards away. It was now dark and one boy turned on a flashlight to explore the scene. The group saw a ten foot tall creature with a bright red face wearing green clothing. The boys said the monster's head was shaped like the ace of spades. When the monster appeared to float toward them, the boys ran in fear to a nearby house and called the police. The police went to the crash site with the boys, there was an odd smell and skid marks from a large object. The Braxton County Monster was never seen again.

3. The Mummies Of Phillippi

In the 1800s a farmer began experimenting with embalming techniques and mummification. After perfecting his technique, he acquired the bodies of two recently deceased women from the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. After mummifying the women they were put in display for a while at the Smithsonian. In the late 1800s, the mummies traveled with the P.T. Barnum circus. Ownership of the mummies changed hands several times through the years, but now they call the Barbour County Museum home.

4. The Roadkill Cook-Off and Festival

Here in West Virginia it is legal to gather roadkill and use it for several purposes including as a food supply. When the Roadkill Law was passed, the residents of Pocohontas County decided to celebrate their new source of food. They held a RoadKill Cook-off Festival, which became a yearly event. Decades later the festival is still going strong and features participants who share their favorite roadkill recipes.

5. The Legendary Mothman

Stories of the mysterious Mothman have made the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia famous. The Mothman is a legendary moth-like creature. The Mothman was reportedly first seen in Point Pleasant on November 15, 1966. There were a handful of reported sightings of the man-sized moth between 1966 and 1967. The Mothman has been described as a man sized creature with moth like wings and glowing red eyes. Point Pleasant now offers visitors a Mothman statue, museum and even a yearly Mothman festival.

6. Chupacabra Sightings

Reported chupacabra sightings in Putnam County caught the attention of the Monster Hunters TV show. In West Virginia, the chupacabra are also known as West Virginia vampires. The Monsters Hunters were unable to track the legendary creature.

8. Slenderman

The Slenderman is a fictional character that made its debut as a meme. Since its creation in 2009 there have been Slenderman sightings across the United States. In West Virginia the Slenderman was reportedly seen in Parkersburg and Richmond.

9. Railroad Tracks Where People Have Reported Seeing Screaming Jenny

Legend has it that a poor woman living near the railroad tracks accidentally caught her clothes on fire and ran screaming down the tracks searching for help. She was in such a panic she did not see the oncoming train and was struck and killed. To this day, people say that Jenny appears on the anniversary of her death. Eyewitnesses say that Jenny stands on the track engulfed in flames and appears to be screaming.

10. The Snarly Yowl Is Said To Prowl Around Harpers Ferry

A wolf like creature known as the Snarly Yowl is supposed to prowling the mountains surrounding Harpers Ferry. Stories of the Snarly Yowl date back to the 1700s. Some who claim to have seen the wolf-like beast state that they shot it, but that instead of falling over the beast only became enraged. The Snarly Yowl has been reportedly seen walking on its hind legs. Eyewitnesses claim it appears out of nowhere and disappears just as easily.

10. Monster Hunters Preparing To Search For the Grafton Monster

The legend of the Grafton Monster has been retold since 1960, when there were reportedly several sightings. The Grafton Monster is described as resembling Bigfoot or Skunk Ape. Eyewitnesses say it is nine feet tall with pale skin like a seal.

11. Bigfoot Sightings

There have been more than 50 Bigfoot sightings in West Virginia since 1975. Reported sightings took place in Greenbrier, Pocohontas, and Mason counties.

If strange occurrences interest you, then West Virginia is the place to be!