Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, is home to a famous urban legend. For years, people have traveled to the mausoleum of W.W. Pool, hoping the Richmond Vampire would make an appearance.
The legend of the Richmond Vampire dates back to at least the 1920s, and there are different origins of why W.W. Pool was dubbed a vampire. One states that Pool was born with a rare blood disease, which led people to label the man as a vampire.
But Pamela K. Kenney writes in her book “Haunted Richmond” that another origin of the tale is tied to the October 2, 1925, incident at the Church Hill Tunnel. A section of the tunnel collapsed, trapping ten rail flat cars, workers, and a steam locomotive.
Supposedly, the vampire dug himself from the rubble and was discovered by locals with blood dripping from his jagged teeth from his victims. The vampire ran to Hollywood Cemetery and hid inside the crypt of W.W. Pool.
The more logical story is that 28-year-old fireman Benjamin Mosby was inside the tunnel on that day and was severely burned, but managed to escape. There was no visibility in the extremely dark tunnel as people ran from the site, tripping over railroad ties and each other to get out.
Witnesses reportedly saw a ghastly figure rush out of the tunnel and run towards the James River. It was chased by a group of men, who saw it disappear into the mausoleum in question.
But, according to some, that ghostly figure was Mosby, who was taken to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries.
It’s also stated that W.W. Pool and his wife have been relocated to another burial place, and the door to the mausoleum has been sealed off.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.
