Mystery Hole

Mystery Hole is a roadside attraction in Ansted, West Virginia, near Hawks Nest State Park and Cathedral Falls in West Virginia. The attraction was created by Donald Wilson in 1973.[1]

Mystery Hole, immediately adjacent to the Midland Trail (U.S. Route 60) in Fayette County, promotes itself as a gravity-defying wonder.[2] It includes sideshow-esque attractions such as balls that roll uphill.[3]

There is also a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle seemingly crashed into the side, with a flower power-inspired paintjob done by local artist Sherd Maynard. The late artist's daughter, Amber, eventually refreshed this with updated art.

Wilson closed the attraction in 1996 and died shorty after, and Mystery Hole was neglected and damaged by vandals.

In 2016, the "world-famous" West Virginia roadside attraction, including several outbuildings and a cabin, went on sale for $495,000.[4]

It has since reopened on a seasonal and weekend basis under new ownership and restored to its original glory inside an old auto garage in Cedar Grove, WV, inhabited by crickets.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wilson, Rick (February 7, 2024). "The Mystery Hole". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. ^ "The Mystery Hole, Ansted, West Virginia". tackytreasures.com. August 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  3. ^ "Mystery Hole". roadsideamerica.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Beaujon, Andrew (May 6, 2016). "West Virginia's Mystery Hole Is for Sale". Washingtonian. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  5. ^ Shenk, Ellen (November 12, 2014). "Mystery Hole". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved August 28, 2025.

38°7′26.5″N 81°8′28.1″W / 38.124028°N 81.141139°W / 38.124028; -81.141139