West Virginia is bringing some of its most famous monsters to the open road. The state’s Division of Motor Vehicles has unveiled a new license plate featuring nine legendary cryptids, including heavy hitters like Mothman and Bigfoot alongside local legend Braxie, the Flatwoods Monster and Bat Boy. The plate goes on sale at DMV offices across the state on November 2, 2026, giving local folklore fans a chance to take a little mystery along for the ride.
Designed by West Virginia artist Jesse Corlis, the plate brings together creatures with ties to communities across the Mountain State. Braxie takes center stage in the wooded scene, with Mothman flying behind the Flatwoods Monster’s shoulder. Bigfoot appears on the right side, while the remaining cryptids occupy smaller spaces in the shadowy blue background.
The full lineup includes the Flatwoods Monster, Mothman, Bigfoot, Sheepsquatch, Batboy, Veggie Man, a werewolf, Ogua and the Grafton Monster. Each creature has its own place in West Virginia’s folklore, with stories stretching from the state’s caves and forests to the banks of the Monongahela River.
The Flatwoods Monster, nicknamed Braxie, is associated with an alleged 1952 encounter near Flatwoods in Braxton County. Mothman lore began with reported sightings in the Clendenin area in 1966 before the creature became closely associated with Point Pleasant and the collapse of the Silver Bridge. Bigfoot reports span numerous West Virginia counties, while stories about the Sheepsquatch stretch across the region from Boone County to Mason County.
The other creatures have their own local connections. Batboy stories are linked to the Lost World Caverns area near Lewisburg. Veggie Man reportedly originated in Fairmont around 1968, while werewolf tales associated with Webster County reach back to the 18th century and Native American folklore. The Ogua is tied to the Hoult area along the Monongahela River, and the Grafton Monster reportedly emerged from Taylor County stories around 1964.
West Virginia Transportation Secretary Stephen T. Rumbaugh said the plate celebrates the state’s folklore and heritage. DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier also paid tribute to Corlis, whose work includes the state’s popular Protect Pollinators plate, often called the Bee plate, as well as a turtle-themed wildlife design.
Corlis developed the cryptid plate while working at the DMV’s Kanawha City headquarters. His artwork can also be found on buildings and bridge piers throughout West Virginia and neighboring states, including the Silver Bridge Memorial mural in Point Pleasant and murals in Charleston, Fayetteville and Weston.
The new plate carries a more personal legacy, too. Corlis died in 2023 before he could see the design come to fruition. Frazier said the DMV was proud to celebrate the artist’s creativity and contributions through the finished plate.
The DMV’s announcement also shared a story that reflects Corlis’s connection to his community. While painting a mural on bridge piers beneath an interstate in Charleston, he met a man named Will who was facing homelessness. Corlis helped him obtain his driver’s license, an act that brought together his work as an artist and his commitment to helping others.
The cryptid plate will be available for purchase at West Virginia DMV offices beginning November 2. Anyone hoping to spot the creatures in person can also use the plate as inspiration for a road trip to some of Corlis’s murals around the state. Just keep an eye on the tree line along the way.
