One of the most (in)famous places lurking
in Erie is the Erie Cemetery home to
legends, folklore, and even some witches
and vampires, too.
Nestled in the lush green cemetery, lies
an unmarked tomb on the side of the
road. There is no family name, no marker,
nothing to signify who or what rests
within. But according to local legend, the
looming crypt isn’t home to any mortal,
but rather, a vampire.
Founded in 1851, Erie Cemetery has
its fair share of unique and beautiful
mausoleums covered in sacred occult
symbols, but it is the nameless blackened
vault with an ornate V over the door that
has captured the imaginations of locals,
paranormal enthusiasts, and those
merely curious about the Vampire’s Crypt.
Some say the tomb belonged to a wealthy
Romanian businessman, but after he was
interned, dead bodies were found in the
surrounding neighbourhoods, drained of
their blood with bite marks on their necks.
Wealthy Romanian businessman? It looks
like Count Dracula decided to settle in
Pennsylvania after that whole Jonathon
and Mina Harker affair.
There are dozens of legends and stories
surrounding the vault. Some have to
do with Satanic rituals summoning the
devil, which explains why this particular
mausoleum is blackened. Other stories
warn of trespassing in the crypt with
claims of curses and death for anyone
who shows disrespect to the vault and
what lies within.“If you’re brave enough (or just
curious), the Vampire’s Crypt is easy
enough to find. When you enter the
cemetery at the Chestnut Street
gate, follow the road up a small hill to
Section 19. If you follow the signs, the
path will take you to the right, up, and
around a bend, and the crypt will be in
your left side. However, if you do what
I did, and get overly excited when you
see the tomb in the distance, and you
completely ignore the DO NOT ENTER
sign and go up the road the wrong way,
it will be on your right.”You won’t find the Vampire’s Crypt
featured on the cemetery’s official
website. However, there are plenty
of spooky sites retelling the tale of
the mausoleum and the legends that
surround it. If nothing else, a (respectful)
walk through the cemetery can offer a
peaceful afternoon as the autumn leaves
crunch beneath your feet.Speaking of spooky tales... Erie Cemetery
is home to another site that has had a
slew of legends surrounding it.Nestled in the shade of the oak trees in
the oldest part of the cemetery, lies a
circle of limestone graves at the base of
a looming tree. There doesn’t seem to be
anything too out of the ordinary at first
glance. The tombstones are weathered
and worn down from years of standing in
the elements. But upon closer inspection,
you’ll notice that some of them are
blackened–scorched, even.According to legend, in the late 1800s,
Erie was home to a coven of witches.
When the two leaders of the coven
died, they were buried in the circle. It is
said that when Satan returned for his
servants, the fires of Hell scorched their
graves, and the evidence of those stories
can still be seen to this day.With such wild claims, it should come
as no surprise that the Witches Circle
is also home to some paranormal tales.
People have reported hearing the sound
of footsteps behind them, even when
they’re alone. And there are even claims
of a rabid black dog that runs at people,
only to disappear before it bites you.While checking out the Vampire’s Crypt,
be sure to also stop by the Witches Circle,
situated in Section 34 by Chestnut Street.
But remember you’re in a cemetery, so
respect is vital.