the tallest capitol dome in the US is in Charlesto, West Virginia |
the Mothman Statue |
the Silver Memorial Bridge built in 1969 to replace the one that collapsed in 1967, killing 46 |
town memorial of the bridge collapse that killed 46 during the rush hour on 12/15/1967 |
Paranormal enthusiasts flock to the town
in search of Mothman, a large creature with 10-foot wing spans and red glowing
eyes, said to inhabit an abandoned TNT factory from WWII. It is believed to be
a harbinger of imminent disaster, now being seen around the globe before great
tragedies. The legendary creature was reportedly seen from November 15, 1966,
to December 15, 1967, when the Silver Bridge, an
I-bar chain suspension bridge built in
1928 and named for the color of its aluminum paint, collapsed during rush hour.
All reports of sightings mysteriously stopped after that day when 46 people met
their tragic deaths.
the small town amphitheater by the Ohio River with the railroad trestle at the background |
For a town with a current population of
4,600, 46 deaths meant that almost every household was affected. A marker was
erected on the site and the new Memorial Bridge was built in 1969 a few miles
away. And Point Pleasant eventually recovered. Looking out to the old railroad trestle
above the Ohio River is the amphitheater which the residents use for community
events. The wall separating the little park from downtown is painted with many
murals of the town’s history.
Such is the charm of country roads and
captivating legends.
Renaissance Village |
colorful bridge shops |
But we did not get to the parts of the
state on its really scenic routes, extensions of John Denver’s ‘Almost heaven
West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River’. Sometime in the future,
we will get another chance. In the meantime we are content with our little
magnet for our collection from the souvenir shop. It reads, ‘Dreaming of
heaven, West Virginia’. Anyway, the small town atmosphere of Point Pleasant and
the distinctive sights in Charleston were enough to fill another wonderful day
in our wanderings in the meantime.
Next Post: Riding on Kentucky's Unbridled Spirit
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ReplyDeleteLove the pic of the dome in Charleston. the Mothman story intrigued me enough to check out the movie. Very disappointing. The story sounded so interesting, but the movie really blew it.
ReplyDeletesounds like an interesting town, tho
watched the movie too...i agree...could have been better. thanks...
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