West Virginia Unveils Cryptid License Plates

Almost Heaven gets a little weirder and we couldn't be happier! Just in time for Halloween, the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles has given the Mountain State a perfect new way to show its strange side.

Starting Monday, November 2, drivers can order a brand-new specialty plate packed with nine of West Virginia’s most famous cryptids.

The design, created by late West Virginia artist Jesse Corlis, features a moody blue forest scene under a full moon. Prominently centered is the Flatwoods Monster—affectionately known as Braxie—while Mothman flies through the trees just behind its shoulder.

Bigfoot stands tall on the right side, and smaller figures of Sheepsquatch, Batboy, Veggie Man, a Webster County werewolf, the Ogua, and the Grafton Monster fill out the rest of the woodland. Along the bottom, in flowing script, is the state’s familiar line: “almost heaven.”

Each creature has deep roots in local lore. Mothman is forever linked to the 1966 sightings and the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant. The Flatwoods Monster appeared near Braxton County in 1952. Bigfoot has been reported across multiple counties, and the others carry stories from Lewisburg, Fairmont, Boone, Mason, and beyond. The plate isn’t just fun—it’s a rolling tribute to the folklore that has always lived in the hills.

Corlis, who also designed several other popular West Virginia plates, passed away in 2023 before he could see this one hit the road. DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier and Transportation Secretary Stephen Rumbaugh have both spoken warmly of the release as a way to honor both the artist and the state’s rich, mysterious culture.

Registration runs $61.50 for one year or $113 for two years. Existing plates can be exchanged, with fees prorated. The plates will be available at DMV offices statewide beginning November 2.

For anyone who grew up in West Virginia, this feels like home in the best way. The mountains have always kept their secrets—now those secrets can ride right on the back of your car. Almost heaven, indeed… with a little extra mystery.

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