Program

Legends & Lore®

Subject

Folklore, Legend

Location

103 Main St, Bladenboro, NC 28320, USA

Lat/Long

34.539069, -78.787865

Grant Recipient

Carolina Haints, Inc.

In the small town of Bladenboro, North Carolina lives a well-known legend of a mysterious cat-like creature that terrorized the community, attacking local animals and draining their blood.

The legend began in 1953 when Bladenboro experienced a series of bizarre attacks by an unknown creature. After the beast would strike, local animals, including dogs and farm animals, would be found with their skulls crushed and bodies drained of their blood. Supposed sightings described the beast as a cat-like creature with a terrible scream. The attacks drew national news coverage. Despite parties of hunters and trappers working to capture it, the beast remained elusive and the mystery unsolved.

The story of what came to be known as the Vampire Beast of Bladenboro continues to inspire awe and is celebrated by the town during their annual Beast Fest.