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Richmond Vampire
A train tunnel collapsed. Workers rushed to rescue survivors. In the darkness, a blood-covered figure emerged. It fled to a mausoleum. Was it a survivor—or the Richmond Vampire?
October 2, 1925
Richmond, Virginia, USA
50+ witnesses
The Richmond Vampire is an urban legend stemming from a 1925 train tunnel collapse, where a blood-covered figure was allegedly seen.
The Incident
According to the legend:
On October 2, 1925:
- A train derailed in Church Hill Tunnel
- Workers were trapped
- During rescue efforts
- A blood-covered figure emerged
- It fled to Hollywood Cemetery
The Legend
The story claims:
- The figure had jagged teeth
- Its skin was hanging off
- It was covered in blood
- It ran to W.W. Pool’s mausoleum
- It vanished inside
The Reality
What actually happened:
- A real train derailment occurred
- Benjamin Mosby was badly burned
- He fled the tunnel
- He died at a hospital
- His appearance may have inspired the legend
The Mausoleum
W.W. Pool’s tomb:
- A real structure in Hollywood Cemetery
- Now associated with the vampire legend
- Visited by legend seekers
- Pool died in 1922, not supernaturally
Evolution of the Legend
The story grew over time:
- The vampire element added later
- Possibly conflated with other legends
- Now a local ghost tour feature
- Halloween attraction
Sources
- Local Richmond folklore and documentation