Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there's no denying the haunting allure held by cemeteries. There's a reason these sites are often the backdrop to scary films and spooky folklore. Yet there's also something undeniably reverent about such places. All of these sentiments apply to the Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg. With tombstones that date back over 300 years, this landmark is equal parts historic and moving.
Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg is notorious for its extensive history and reputation as one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States. Anyone who visits will surely be moved by the number of gravesites and stories held there.
This reverent and picturesque plot of land, located adjacent to Blandford Church, has been used as a burial ground since the early 18th century. The oldest marked gravesite dates back to 1702.
On Memorial Hill, visitors will find a mass grave where 30,000 Civil War soldiers are buried. Tragically, only 3,700 names are recorded. In fact, there are veterans from every American war buried in this cemetery.
There are countless tales of haunted encounters that have taken place at the Blandford Cemetery. Many accounts tell of a drop of temperature that happens unexpectedly, even during the summer months. Some also report seeing ghostly shadows of soldiers wandering their gravesites.
The cemetery offers historic tours throughout the year. In fact, there’s an evening tour every Halloween, which promises to be an incredibly spooky and fascinating event.
Also located nearby is People’s Memorial Cemetery, which was formerly known as Providence Cemetery. Established in 1840, it’s a historic African-American cemetery that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Whether or not you believe this area of Petersburg to be haunted, there’s no denying the allure of such a significant Virginia landmark.
What are your thoughts on this significant historical site? Do you believe there has been paranormal activity here?
Address: 319 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803 (Note that the guided tour begins at the Visitor’s Center, located at 111 Rochelle Lane, Petersburg, VA, 23803).
For more information about Blandford Cemetery, you can visit the official website by clicking here.
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