Point Pleasant (West Virginia)
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Point Pleasant was also the site of the First Battle of the Revolution - the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774, between the Virginia militia and the Shawnee led by Chief Cornstalk (he of the curse). The battle prevented the Native Americans from forming an alliance with the British, which in turn shaped the outcome of the War of Independence.
Get in
Point Pleasant is at the intersection of US-35 (which follows the Kanawha River), between Charleston and Jackson, Ohio, and OH-7 (which follows the Ohio River), between Huntington and Middleport, Ohio.
Get around
There's no bus or taxi service in town, so bring your car.
See
- The tourism information center is at 210 Viand Street, 304-675-6788. Open M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-2PM.
- The 12-foot-tall stainless-steel Mothman statue at the corner of 4th Street and Main Street.
- Fort Randolph and Fort Blair, Highway 2 and Highway 62, 304-675-1068. Located in the 44-acre Krodel Park. The original Fort Blair was built in November 1774; after being destroyed by Native Americans, it was rebuilt in May 1776 and renamed Fort Randolph. After being destroyed yet again, it was re-rebuilt in 1785, although no trace of it remains today. The fort was reconstructed in October 1974, along with other period buildings. Re-enactments are carried out during warmer weather. The park also features fishing, paddle boats, miniature golf, a playground and camping facilities.
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phone: +1 304-675-0869address: 1 Main StreetOpen year-round; museum open May through October. The site of the Battle of Point Pleasant; an 84-foot-tall granite obelisk commemorates the Virginia militiamen who died in the battle. The Mansion House Museum, built in 1796 as a tavern and the oldest hewn-log house in the Kanawha Valley today, is also on the site. The name of the park comes from a Wyandotte phrase meaning "the point between two waters", signifying the spot where the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers meet.
Museums
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Mothman Museum and Research Center
address: 412 Main StreetOpen daily 12PM-5PM spring and summer. Describes the history of Point Pleasant and the Mothman incident, with drawings, newspaper clippings, mementos and other exhibits. On-site gift shop. Admission $3. -
address: 28 Main StreetOpen 10 am to 3 pm Tuesday through Friday, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, and 1 to 5 pm on Sunday; closed Mondays. Focuses on river life and commercial enterprise on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, with displays and video demonstrations. The museum also offers a working pilot house and a research library. Gift shop on-site.
West Virginia State Farm MuseumRoute 62 N. Open Apr to mid-Nov Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. 50 acres of working museum, with artifacts from early pioneer life and farm life heritage, and year-round operations. Pioneer crafts are demonstrated during festival weekends. See the restored buildings of historical value, the world's largest stuffed horse and the taxidermy collection. Country store on-site.
Do
Events
- Sternwheel Regatta River Cruises, Riverfront Park, 304-675-7214. Held in early July. Celebration of river life, live music, food vendors, and a carnival-like atmosphere. Cruise downriver on a sternwheel boat to Gallipolis, Ohio; two fireworks cruises. Admission $15 - $20.
- Mason County Fair, route 62, 304-675-5463. West Virginia's largest county fair, held in early August. 9AM-11PM. Parades, livestock judging, animal shows, farm games, pie-eating contest, demolition derby and drag races, live entertainment, and a carnival with rides. Admission $5 - $8.
- Mothman Festival, downtown Point Pleasant. Held in mid-September. Live music, screenings of Mothman-related documentaries and films, vendors, crafters, a guest speakers' forum, and tours of Mothman-related sites.
- Battle Days Festival, Tu-Endie-Wie State Park. Held the first weekend in October. Celebrating the first battle of the American Revolution and honoring the people who gave their lives at the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774. Historical re-enactments, sutlers and crafters in period clothing, a juried art show, a colonial ball, a lantern tour to meet historical characters, a parade, entertainment, a drama, and more. Admission free for the ball, $10 for the Colonial Governor's Reception.
Buy
- Mothman souvenirs, of course. There are T-shirts, books, videos, bumper stickers, and you can even pick up a Mothman beanie baby.
Drink
Point Pleasant is the only place you can get a Mothman Frappuccino.
Sleep
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phone: +1-304-675-2260address: 401 Main StreetTwo-room, family, and Jacuzzi suites are available as well as a full-service restaurant, The Red Parrot Café, featuring fine food and drinks at reasonable prices.
Go next
- Gallipolis, Ohio is a 10-minute drive across the Ohio River on US-7.
- Huntington is about 1 hour south on US-7.
- Charleston, the state capital, is a little over 1 hour southeast on US-35 and I-64.