West Virginia has long been a source of legend, with its rugged mountains and dense forests inspiring stories of mystery and wonder. Among the many stories whispered in the hollows of the Mountain State, one may just lift your gaze skyward.
The New River Gorge, now designated as a National Park and Preserve, may have been the location of one of the first reported UFO sightings in the United States.
The 1950 Beckley UFO Encounter
The story began in January 1950, when Pat Garrett, mayor of Mount Hope, West Virginia, claimed to have seen an unexplainable object in the sky east of his home. The location, near Beckley, now encompasses the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve, a sprawling landscape adjacent to the New River Gorge National Park.
The late historian C. Lloyd Gibson documented the story, claiming Garrett saw the object so clearly that he erected a monument to commemorate the sighting. Garrett allegedly buried a time capsule at the site, which adds to the mystery.
The memorial and capsule have since vanished, but tales of the event live on, echoing through local legends and even reaching international attention.
UFO or Purple Martin?
While the story fascinates UFO enthusiasts, skeptics such as Garrett’s nephew, Sam Duncan, have proposed alternative explanations. Duncan speculates that the “monument” may have been related to Garrett’s passion for birding, specifically his love of Purple Martins.
Garrett, an avid ornithologist, kept diagrams and birdhouses on his property. Could a fascination with avian flight have been misinterpreted as something more supernatural?
The Missing Evidence
The encounter was previously detailed in a book in the Mount Hope public library, but the text has since been lost, leaving gaps in the narrative. Furthermore, despite the fact that the story was allegedly documented by a British author, no supporting evidence has emerged.
The lack of conclusive evidence has not quelled interest in the event. The National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) records the encounter in its archives, lending credibility to the story. However, as of today, no physical evidence has been discovered, such as the missing time capsule or Garrett’s monument.
Why the New River Gorge?
It’s unsurprising that the New River Gorge region would host such a story. Its untouched wilderness, dramatic cliffs, and remote locations create an ideal setting for mystery.
Scouts, hikers, and adventurers are drawn to the area’s natural beauty, and the story of Mayor Garrett’s sighting may be an exciting chapter in the park’s history for them.
Local Interest and Ongoing Mystery
Becky Sullivan, executive director of the New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau, believes the story has the potential to add to the region’s rich history. “Mount Hope is a fascinating historical community,” she tells me. “I’d be delighted to speak with whoever could tell us more about this mystery.”
Garrett’s sighting suggests that the object hovered over or beyond Garden Grounds Mountain, a wilderness area now used for scouting jamborees at the Bechtel Summit Reserve. The story may pique the interest of both scouts and visitors, as it combines West Virginia’s history with the age-old question: Are we alone?
Final Thoughts
As it stands, the specifics of the 1950 encounter remain unknown. Whether it was a UFO, a birding diagram, or something else entirely, the story adds another layer of mystery to the already enchanting New River Gorge.
