Hollywood Cemetery – Haunted Burial Grounds in Richmond, Virginia

Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the most historic and eerie burial sites in the state. Established in the 19th century, it serves as the final resting place for notable figures, including U.S. presidents, Civil War generals, and thousands of Confederate soldiers.

While its grand Gothic-style architecture and scenic river views attract history lovers, ghost hunters visit for a different reason—chilling tales of the paranormal. Countless reports of ghostly figures, phantom sounds, and unexplained phenomena have earned Hollywood Cemetery its haunted reputation.

Historical Background

• Year Built: 1847
• Original Purpose: Cemetery for prominent figures and war casualties
• Significant Events:
  • The cemetery became the burial site for over 18,000 Confederate soldiers after the Civil War. Many believe their spirits still wander the grounds.
  • The tomb of John Tyler, the 10th U.S. president, is said to be a hotspot for ghostly activity.
  • The mysterious Richmond Vampire legend is tied to the mausoleum of W.W. Pool, a local businessman.
  • Numerous visitors have reported strange lights and apparitions near the graves of children.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors frequently report an unsettling presence as they walk among the old tombstones. Some of the most common supernatural occurrences include:

• Shadowy figures moving between the headstones.
• Disembodied voices and whispers in the wind, often heard near the Confederate section.
• Cold spots and sudden temperature drops, especially near President Tyler’s grave and the W.W. Pool mausoleum.
• Faint sounds of a baby crying near the tomb of a little girl, believed to be the spirit of a child who died tragically young.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The Richmond Vampire

One of Hollywood Cemetery’s most famous legends is the Richmond Vampire. The story claims that in 1925, after a tunnel collapse at the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, a blood-covered creature fled the wreckage and disappeared into the tomb of W.W. Pool. While historians dismiss it as folklore, many still believe Pool’s mausoleum houses something unnatural. Some claim to see red eyes glowing from the crypt at night.

The Weeping Girl

A statue of a girl stands over the grave of a young child, and legend says that on certain nights, she weeps for her lost daughter. Some visitors report seeing the statue’s eyes glisten as if shedding real tears, while others claim to hear soft sobbing when standing nearby.

The Wandering Confederate Soldiers

Hollywood Cemetery’s massive Confederate burial ground is believed to be home to restless spirits. Many have seen ghostly soldiers in tattered uniforms, aimlessly walking among the graves before fading into the night. Some report hearing boots crunching on gravel when no one else is around.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The W.W. Pool mausoleum is by far the most feared location in the cemetery. Whether the Richmond Vampire is real or not, many who visit the crypt at night report an overwhelming sense of dread, an unexplained pressure on their chest, and even glimpses of a shadowy figure lurking inside.

Can You Visit?

• Open to the Public? Yes
• Entry Fee: Free
• Tour Availability: Self-guided and historical tours available; some ghost tours operate seasonally.
• Photography Allowed? Yes
• Visiting Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk

Best Time to Visit

The best time for a ghostly experience is at dusk in the fall, when eerie fog often rolls over the tombstones, adding to the cemetery’s chilling atmosphere. Paranormal activity is frequently reported on Halloween night.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Hollywood Cemetery has drawn attention from paranormal investigators, with multiple EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings capturing unexplained whispers. Investigators have also documented significant EMF spikes (electromagnetic field readings) around the W.W. Pool mausoleum and Confederate burial grounds, suggesting possible supernatural energy.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

• The cemetery closes at dusk, and trespassing after hours is illegal.
• Some areas, including the steep hills and mausoleum structures, are dangerous to climb.
• Visitors have reported feelings of dizziness and nausea near certain graves, possibly due to the psychological effects of fear or unexplained supernatural forces.