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All the United States West Virginia Point Pleasant TNT Area

TNT Area

These rows of World War II-era bunkers were the scene of some of the infamous Mothman sightings.

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

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Dave
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TNT igloo hidden by overgrowth.   rachelshouston / Atlas Obscura User
  Robert Titus/used with permission
  Robert Titus/used with permission
Inside one of the bunkers. Folks claim to have seen the image of the Mothman in the cracks.  
Concrete stands that once held chemicals for making TNT during WWII   Exploration Appalachian / Atlas Obscura User
One of the many structures remaining that once made TnT and ammunition for WWII.   Exploration Appalachian / Atlas Obscura User
One of the 20 remaining bunkers. The igloo structures prevented a chain reaction in the case of one structure exploding.   Exploration Appalachian / Atlas Obscura User
  Robert Titus/used with permission
  Robert Titus/used with permission
  Robert Titus/used with permission
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About

For a brief period in late 1966 and early 1967, the West Virginia Ordnance Works, better known to locals as the TNT Area, was home to one of the United States' most famous mythical creatures: the Mothman.

This curious cryptid was first seen at the gate of the abandoned munitions storage facility. Reported sightings in the area continued until the collapse of the Silver Bridge in December of 1967.

The Mothman and the circumstances around its mysterious appearance in Point Pleasant would later be chronicled in John Keel's 1976 book The Mothman Prophecies and its 2002 movie adaptation.

While there seems to be no established theory explaining the mass sightings, nor a theory as to why the creature would choose the TNT Area as its home, the rows of World War II-era igloo-like bunkers and dilapidated laboratories give it all the ambiance a discerning monster could want. The TNT Area became a Superfund site in 1983 and is still undergoing cleanup and decontamination.

Related Tags

Cryptozoology Disaster Areas Bunkers Subterranean Sites Subterranean Weapons World War Ii Superfund Site Monsters Military

Know Before You Go

There are no signs or other markers for this site, and you have to hike to get to the bunkers. Traveling north on Route 62, turn right (east) onto Rt 11/Potters Creek Road. Where the pavement ends, bear right onto the long, straight road, due south. Take a hard right onto Park Forest 801 and travel about 3/4 of a mile and find one of the trails to the right and hike to the north. The bunkers will be about a 1/2 mile in, on both your right and left. Some of this is private property, so be respectful and prudent.

Make this an AO twofer with a visit to the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, about six miles south. And a three-fer if you see the Mothman Statue, right next to the museum.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dave

Edited By

patricelehocky, rugby007, Kerry Wolfe, rachelshouston...

  • patricelehocky
  • rugby007
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • rachelshouston
  • Exploration Appalachian
  • gooddawg0482

Published

June 6, 2009

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia_Ordnance_Works
TNT Area
6182 Ohio River Rd
Point Pleasant, West Virginia, 25550
United States
38.929768, -82.076155
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Nearby Places

West Virginia State Farm Museum

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

miles away

Silver Bridge Disaster Memorial

Gallipolis, Ohio

miles away

Mothman Museum

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant

West Virginia

Places 5
Stories 1

Nearby Places

West Virginia State Farm Museum

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

miles away

Silver Bridge Disaster Memorial

Gallipolis, Ohio

miles away

Mothman Museum

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant

West Virginia

Places 5
Stories 1

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