Flatwoods, West Virginia, is a small town nestled in Braxton County, officially incorporated in 1902. The geographic center of the state of West Virginia is located within the town limits. Though the town was officially founded in 1902, its roots extend much further back, with historical records indicating the presence of a church established by Pastor John Clark as early as 1830.
The town’s name derives from the flat and rolling lands at the headwaters of Salt Lick Creek, Granny’s Creek, and Flatwoods Run. In the late 1800s, the West Virginia and Pittsburgh Railroad extended a branch through Flatwoods, later taken over by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, making the town a significant stop on the Clarksburg-Richwood branch. By the early 20th century, Flatwoods had developed into a modest yet thriving community with various businesses and a fine school, reflecting its steady growth and regional importance.
Flatwoods gained national attention on September 12, 1952, due to a reported sighting of an unidentified creature, now famously known as the Flatwoods Monster. Witnesses described a towering, 10-foot-tall entity with glowing eyes and a spade-shaped head, which they encountered after observing a bright object streaking across the sky and landing nearby. The incident attracted widespread media coverage and has since become a significant part of local folklore.
In 2018, the town again achieved notoriety, by appearing in the video game Fallout 76. Flatwoods is the first stop among many of the West Virginia landmarks in the game.
In 2019, the Flatwoods Monster Story was the focus of an episode of the History Channel series Project Blue Blook.
Visit the Monster Chair located on the grounds of the Flatwoods Municipal Building at 5 Doctors Lane. Make a pit stop by The Spot for lunch and a photo op with a 50’s inspired billboard and round out your day with a stop at the Folklore of The Flatwoods Monster souvenir shop.