What is wv folklore?

West Virginia folklore consists of a wide range of stories, beliefs, customs, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Much of the folklore in West Virginia involves supernatural and paranormal elements, such as ghosts, witches, and other mysterious creatures.

One of the most well-known figures in West Virginia folklore is the Mothman, a creature said to have wings and glowing red eyes that was reportedly sighted in the town of Point Pleasant in the 1960s. Other famous West Virginia folk tales include the legend of the Devil's Backbone, a winding road in Monroe County said to be cursed, and the story of the Greenbrier Ghost, a woman who allegedly appeared to her husband in a dream to reveal the identity of her murderer.

West Virginia folklore also includes many customs and traditions that are unique to the state, such as the practice of "ramping," or harvesting and cooking wild ramps (a type of wild onion), and the annual Ramp Festival in Richwood. The state's rich history of coal mining has also given rise to many legends and tales, including the story of John Henry, a famous African American railroad worker who supposedly raced a steam drill to prove his strength.