Chief Cornstalk’s Curse – Is Point Pleasant, WV Really Haunted?

by Roxanne Crouse June 1, 2025

Exploring the Legend, the History, and What We Found (or Didn’t) During Our Paranormal Investigation

Mothman instantly springs to mind when one thinks of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. But if you dig a little deeper into the town’s eerie past, you’ll find another chilling story buried in its roots—the tale of Chief Cornstalk and the legendary curse he left behind. It’s a story full of betrayal, tragedy, and lingering spirits. We recently visited Point Pleasant to explore this legend firsthand and, of course, did a little ghost hunting while we were there.

So, what’s the deal with Chief Cornstalk’s curse? Is Point Pleasant really cursed—or is it just a town with a heavy history and an active imagination? Let’s get into it.

The History of Chief Cornstalk

Chief Cornstalk (Hokoleskwa) was a respected leader of the Shawnee tribe in the 1700s. Known for being both a fierce warrior and a skilled diplomat, he tried to protect his people during the turbulent times of colonial expansion. His involvement in Lord Dunmore’s War in 1774 made him a significant figure in the Ohio Valley region. After the war, Chief Cornstalk sought peace with the settlers, even traveling to Fort Randolph (now Point Pleasant) to warn the Americans that other tribes were preparing for conflict.

But instead of being thanked, Chief Cornstalk was betrayed and imprisoned. In November 1777, a group of American militiamen—furious over the killing of a settler—murdered Cornstalk, his son Elinipsico, and two other Native Americans while they were being held as hostages. Cornstalk’s death wasn’t just a tragedy—it was an unjustified execution that outraged even other settlers.

And that’s where the curse comes in.

The Legend of the Curse

According to local legend, Chief Cornstalk’s last words were not of peace—but of a powerful curse placed on the land where he was killed. As the story goes, he vowed that Point Pleasant would be plagued with tragedy for generations. While there’s no historical record of him speaking such a curse, the legend stuck—and Point Pleasant’s strange history has only kept it alive.

Here are a few of the disasters people have linked to the so-called curse:

The Silver Bridge Collapse (1967): One of the most infamous tragedies in West Virginia history. The bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio, suddenly collapsed, killing 46 people.
Mothman Sightings: Many believe the Mothman is a harbinger of doom and part of the curse’s manifestation.
Industrial Accidents and Floods: Point Pleasant has experienced several factory explosions, fires, and floods over the years, which some locals still attribute to the lingering curse.
Unusual Deaths and Suicides: Anecdotal reports include odd deaths in the town that defy logical explanation.

While historians argue there’s no actual evidence of a curse, the string of bad luck—and the town’s eerie vibe—have kept the legend alive.

Hauntings and Paranormal Claims

Over the years, multiple sites in Point Pleasant have been rumored to be haunted, especially near where Fort Randolph once stood. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadow figures along the riverbank, and even feeling a deep sense of unease around Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, where Chief Cornstalk is buried.

Some ghost hunters have claimed to contact spirits believed to be Native American, while others say they’ve picked up strange activity during Mothman-related investigations. The energy in this small town is definitely different—whether it’s supernatural or just historical weight is up for debate.

Our Paranormal Investigation: What We Found

We investigated near the Ohio River, close to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, to see if we could connect with Chief Cornstalk or pick up on any residual energy. We brought along our equipment and kept things scientific—EMF meters, voice recorders, and GhostTube for real-time word captures.

And here’s the truth: we didn’t capture anything significant.

No mysterious voices. No EMF spikes. No shadow figures caught on camera.

That’s not to say the place didn’t feel heavy—it did. The park has a quiet, solemn vibe, and there’s definitely a presence there, but it could easily be psychological. We believe in testing everything and jumping to no conclusions, and this time, the spirits (if they were there) didn’t want to talk.

Is Point Pleasant Cursed?

That depends on how you define a curse. If you mean supernatural forces targeting a town with disaster after disaster… we’re not convinced. But if you’re talking about a town shaped by trauma, betrayal, and tragedy—and how those stories echo through time—then yeah, maybe Point Pleasant is cursed, just not in the way the legends say.

Still, the town has embraced its haunted history and folklore, and it’s become a fascinating, spooky destination for anyone into the paranormal history, or just great small-town vibes with a darker edge.

Watch Our Investigation

Want to see our investigation for yourself? Check out the YouTube video linked above. Even though we didn’t catch anything wild this time, it’s still a wonderful way to explore Point Pleasant’s haunted history—and maybe form your own opinion about Chief Cornstalk’s curse.

Stay spooky, spooky cats!