What) The Silver Bridge was an eye bar-chain suspension bridge built in 1928 and named for the color of its aluminum paint. On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed while it was full of rush-hour traffic, resulting in the deaths of 46 people. Two of the victims were never found. Investigation of the wreckage pointed to the cause of the collapse being the failure of a single eye bar in a suspension chain, due to a small defect that was 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) deep. Analysis showed that the bridge was carrying much heavier loads than it had originally been designed for and was poorly maintained. The collapsed bridge was replaced by the Silver Memorial Bridge (located 1 mile downstream), which was completed in 1969. (1)

    What) Mothman arrived in Point Pleasant in November 1966 in classic style by scaring couples in parked cars and eating farmers' dogs. He was described as seven feet tall with a barrel chest and a piercing shriek. His most memorable features were his ten-foot wide bat like wings and his huge, red, glowing eyes. He hung around for over a year, building an impressive roster of over 100 fear-struck locals who claimed to have encountered him. Things got ugly on December 15, 1967, when the Silver Bridge, which connected Point Pleasant to neighbouring Kanauga, Ohio, suddenly collapsed into the Ohio River, killing 46 people trapped in rush-hour traffic. Some claimed that the catastrophe was triggered by a sonic boom from Mothman's wings. Others believed that Mothman had been sent to warn the people of Point Pleasant.

    Fortean researcher John Keel heard the stories and came to Point Pleasant to see what was happening. He compiled what he found in a 1975 book, The Mothman Prophecies, which was later turned into that 2001 Richard Gere film. Bob Roach's Mothman statue stands some twelve feet tall. The giant football sized red eyes were supposed to be lit up from behind for night effects, but sadly sponsorship funding came up short. (2)

    Where) At the corner of Main and 4th Streets

    Why) I did like the 2001 movie the first time I watched it but we all know that the statue is the largest part of my interest.