100. Lore & Legends | The Shadow Over Point Pleasant: The Mothman

In the late 1960s, Point Pleasant, West Virginia, becomes the epicenter of a chilling mystery when residents report sightings of a winged, red-eyed creature dubbed the Mothman. Beginning with a terrifying encounter by two young couples in the abandoned TNT Area, the phenomenon sparks widespread fear and fascination, drawing in journalist John Keel, whose investigation shapes a seminal book. The narrative weaves through the town’s economic struggles, the era’s paranormal craze, and global mythological parallels, while scientific skepticism challenges the creature’s existence. Through festivals and museums, Point Pleasant transforms the Mothman into a cultural icon, exploring themes of belief, fear, and human storytelling in a modern myth that endures. Macabrium is produced by Macabrium Creative and hosted by Megan Alda and Derek Stephen Brown, with writing and research by Chloë Kibbe, Megan Alda and Derek Stephen Brown.  • Follow us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• Support us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.macabriumpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! Episode Reference Material Chronicling America - The Point Pleasant Register (1966–1967) Newspapers.com - The Point Pleasant Register (1966–1967) Chronicling America - The Athens Messenger (1966–1968) Newspapers.com - The Athens Messenger (1966–1968) National Transportation Safety Board - Silver Bridge Collapse Report (1970) West Virginia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Records (1960s) Environmental Protection Agency - TNT Area Assessment (1972) Mothman Museum - Official Site Mothman Festival - Official Site Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices