Revisiting Point Pleasant, West Virginia: Notes on the Changing Geographies of an Appalachian Town

abstract: This geographical note revisits the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia and provides an update on a paper published in 2015. Long known as the site of the Battle of Point Pleasant, The Silver Bridge Tragedy, and alleged sightings of a winged, red-eyed creature called the "Mothman," Point Pleasant and Mason County are currently in the midst of an economic transformation. This paper reveals how the growth of the Mothman Festival and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have provided new opportunities for economic development, and helped attract three new industries to the area. Drawing from interviews with two town leaders and a lifelong resident, this essay offers a perspective on how recent innovations, strong leadership, and continuity anchored in a strong sense of place are moving the town forward towards prosperity.