The first reported sighting of Mothman occurred in Clendenin, West Virginia on November 12, 1966. A group of gravediggers was working in a cemetery when they noticed a massive figure, which they described as a “brown human being,” moving from tree to tree. Three days later in Point Pleasant, Virginia, two couples saw a large winged creature, with a wingspan of ten feet and bright red eyes. The creature was a fast flier, which the couples allegedly learned because the creature had chased their car to the outskirts of town, though it eventually stopped and ran into a nearby field and vanished. People were initially skeptical; however, that changed after more and more sightings were reported in the Point Pleasant area, eventually resulting in the Mothman legend.
One of the more significant aspects of the Mothman story was the Silver Bridge collapse of 1967, which occurred one year after the initial Mothman sightings. Officially, the collapse occurred as a result of poor engineering. On the day of the bridge collapse, an eyebar at the top of the bridge snapped and the bridge broke apart. Forty-six people died as a result of this collapse. Years later, in 1975, author John Keel suggested that there was a connection between Mothman and the bridge collapse, as the sightings occurred only a year prior to the tragedy. This story has been widely accepted by many in the community (“The True Story Behind The Legendary Mothman Said To Terrorize West Virginia”).
One of the more significant aspects of the Mothman story was the Silver Bridge collapse of 1967, which occurred one year after the initial Mothman sightings. Officially, the collapse occurred as a result of poor engineering. On the day of the bridge collapse, an eyebar at the top of the bridge snapped and the bridge broke apart. Forty-six people died as a result of this collapse. Years later, in 1975, author John Keel suggested that there was a connection between Mothman and the bridge collapse, as the sightings occurred only a year prior to the tragedy. This story has been widely accepted by many in the community (“The True Story Behind The Legendary Mothman Said To Terrorize West Virginia”).
There doesn't appear to be many online forums dedicated to Mothman, especially compared to Bigfoot, but they do exist. There are a handful of Facebook groups that discuss Mothman and potential sightings. Many of these groups also discuss other cryptids in addition to Mothman, but they all share one common goal: discussing Mothman and evidence supporting his existence. Some of these groups are private, so the only way to access this information is to become acquainted with an already established member.
It's important to note that some of these groups seem to be rather genuine in their attempts to share evidence about Mothman and other cryptids on these forums. However, there are also groups that are clearly meant only to have fun, such as Mothman Cult, the Grace of Mothman, Mothman for President 2024, and (my personal favorite) Mothman Squad. The latter describes itself as a group where they "hail the Mothman" and "praise the lamp gods." |
Despite the joking nature of these groups, it could still be argued that they are still technically part of the cryptid folklore group, albeit another subset of it. They may not go out and actively search for Mothman, but he still plays a role in their interactions with other members of the group, and they appear to have their own rules and ways of communicating.
There also are not many conferences dedicated to Mothman and cryptid hunters; however, there is one festival that is rather well-known: the Mothman Festival. This festival is held every year in September, and it commemorates the first Mothman sighting at Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966. The festival features live bands, attractions, cosplayers, guest speakers, the world's only Mothman Museum. The festival itself is free, so anyone is allowed to attend, whether they believe in Mothman or not, though the museum does have an entrance fee. Furthermore, the festival does not appear to be important only to those who believe in Mothman, but to the community in general. The town hosts the festival every year on the same date, allowing the people to celebrate the origin of a legendary cryptid (Mothman Festival 2022).
There also are not many conferences dedicated to Mothman and cryptid hunters; however, there is one festival that is rather well-known: the Mothman Festival. This festival is held every year in September, and it commemorates the first Mothman sighting at Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966. The festival features live bands, attractions, cosplayers, guest speakers, the world's only Mothman Museum. The festival itself is free, so anyone is allowed to attend, whether they believe in Mothman or not, though the museum does have an entrance fee. Furthermore, the festival does not appear to be important only to those who believe in Mothman, but to the community in general. The town hosts the festival every year on the same date, allowing the people to celebrate the origin of a legendary cryptid (Mothman Festival 2022).