Off the Shelf: Exploring West Virginia's Extremely Rich Heritage of Ghost Tales as Halloween Approaches
By Savanna Draper on October 09, 2024 from Off the Shelf
What better time to read scary stories than in the month of October? The leaves are turning and we’re starting to get that slight chill in the air— it’s the perfect atmosphere to dig into some slightly spooky reads. You know what would make it even better? If those stories were set in 
our home state of West Virginia. Keep reading to find some scary, and often, unexplained West Virginia stories, if you dare…
our home state of West Virginia. Keep reading to find some scary, and often, unexplained West Virginia stories, if you dare…
West Virginia boasts an unusually rich heritage of ghost tales.ExploreThe Telltale Lilac Bush and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales by Ruth Ann Musick to read stories that were not told just for idle amusement, but to report supernatural experiences that defied ordinary human explanation. Like all folklore, these tales reveal much of the history of our region.
The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel takes place in West Virginia in 1966. For thirteen months the town of Point Pleasant is gripped by a real-life nightmare that makes headlines around the world. Strange occurrences and sightings, including a bizarre, winged apparition that becomes known as the Mothman, trouble this community. Journalist John Keel arrives to investigate the events, and soon finds himself an integral part of an eerie and unfathomable mystery...
A Guide to Haunted West Virginia by Walter Gavenda and Mike Shoemaker is a collection of information about unusual occurrences reported to have happened in West Virginia. History of the individual incidents, author explanations, and directions to the sites of events are included.
They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers by Gray Barker was first published in 1956 and is arguably the most well-known book about UFOs. It was the first book to allege that "Men in Black" were covering up the existence of flying saucers. Who are these darkly dressed men who go after UFO witnesses, those who might "know too much?" Barker's answers shocked the world and raised awareness about the “Men in Black.”
All of these spine-tingling reads and more are available at the Bridgeport Public Library.
