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VAMPIRE BEAST

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.
Historic Marker

VAMPIRE BEAST

Inscription

VAMPIRE BEAST
IN 1953, THE SMALL TOWN OF
BLADENBORO WAS TERRORIZED BY
MYSTERIOUS CAT-LIKE CREATURE
THAT ATTACKED LOCAL ANIMALS
DRAINING THEIR BLOOD.
NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLIFE INSTITUTE
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024

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.