The Town Square Clock Tower Devil Bat
Posted: 11.01.2024 | Updated: 11.01.2024
Many people visit Alexandria to see American history up close, from exploring George Washington’s home of Mount Vernon to seeing the skinniest historic home in America. However, one of the local’s favorite landmarks is the iconic city hall clock tower.
Originally erected over two centuries ago, the town square clock tower has symbolized the Alexandria people’s strength, particularly after being rebuilt after a fire. But the tower doesn’t only act as a timekeeper. It’s also home to a mysterious creature of Virginia myth: the devil bat.
Who, or What, Is The Devil Bat of the Alexandria Town Square Clock Tower?
While the idea of a giant, mysterious devil bat may seem frightening, Alexandria’s cryptid may actually be the city’s secret guardian — lurking in the shadows until it needs to protect its home.
Witnesses have seen the creature flying through the night sky and even defending the clock tower against a group of drunken sailors. If you want to try to catch a glimpse of the town square clock tower devil bat yourself or come into contact with one of the city’s many wandering spirits, book a ghost tour with Alexandria Ghosts today.
The History of the Clock Tower
Since 1752, a town hall/courthouse has been the focal point of Alexandria. George Washington even served as a justice within the original building’s walls. In 1817, a new, three-story brick building was constructed, along with a special addition: the town clock tower.
Quickly, the tower became a symbol of the city that was vital to the story of America’s independence. But in 1871, disaster struck: a fire completely destroyed the town hall and clock tower. The townspeople, now attached to their beloved time-telling tower, raised money to reconstruct the clock tower to its exact, original dimensions.
The construction included a new bell installed in the tower, which first rang on New Year’s Day in 1873. The 1871 version of the clock tower still stands today, with the 1873 bell still intact within the tower, though it’s no longer used.
The clock tower isn’t only known for its beautiful architecture, though. In 1817, a creature moved into the belfry. While it disappeared after the tower burned to the ground, it returned to the new structure in 1871 — and it’s said to still reside there to this day. The being in question? The town square clock tower devil bat.
The Devil Bat of Alexandria
The name “devil bat” conjures up a few different images. A demon with wings? A devil swinging a Louisville Slugger?
For this Alexandria legend, however, the devil bat is a giant, black creature with bat-like wings. Locals have reported seeing the devil bat fly above Alexandria, zipping by in a flash. It often only reveals itself when its home has been in danger, like in 1976 from a group of rowdy sailors.
The 1976 Sighting
The most famous story of the devil bat was told by Louie Robert, who says he is responsible for the devil bat’s appearance that dark night.
Being a port town, Alexandria often welcomes passing sailors and seamen who need some respite. In the 1970s, a regular docking ship was the North Boat, whose hundreds of crewmen were known to be extra rowdy when they charged onto the city’s streets.
While the townspeople knew to steer clear of this notorious group, sometimes the North Boat sailors couldn’t be ignored. This was the case one night when the drunken seafarers began shattering windows and breaking down doors along King Street. They had their sights set on something much bigger, though: town hall.
Ready to torch the town monument, the sailors approached the building. Fearful of the destruction these men would cause, Robert called out to the devil bat. “Devil-bat, Devil-bat! Keep this crowd back!”
Just as the men reached the door, a giant animal swooped in from behind them, cutting them off. As Robert recounted, “Well, the next thing I knew, I saw this big black thing, real close
to the ground, come zingin’ around the corner.” The creature took refuge in the doorway of the town hall.
The seamen, though, remained undeterred. Robert said, “Well, the mob kept gettin’ closer and closer, ‘til it was practically on top of the Hall, and then, just at the very last possible moment,
this black thing shot out of the doorway like nobody’s business.”
Was it a shapeshifter?
The terrified sailors couldn’t believe their eyes and turned on their tails, running back to their ship. When Robert looked back toward the town hall, he saw a giant, dead skunk in the street.
Did the devil bat drop the skunk on its journey? Did it shapeshift to transform into the skunk? If so, was it really dead or just acting as such to the bewildered onlooker?
Robert didn’t push his luck by investigating further; he was just thankful the town hall was saved. While some believe this was the end of the devil bat’s presence in Alexandria, many locals are still convinced the creature lies in wait in the belfry, ready to act again if needed.
Haunted Alexandria
The town square clock tower isn’t the only building with strange creatures and spirits in residence. Just across the street from city hall is Gadsby’s Tavern, where George Washington used to grab a beer after a long day. Older than Virginia itself, the bar is still frequented by several of its 18th-century patrons.
The spooky occurrences don’t stop there, either. The entire Alexandria downtown is known for spectral activity. There’s the Carlyle House Historic Park, a former Union Army hospital with the ghosts of less-than-fortunate soldiers lurking around the property. Then there’s the Wilkes Tunnel, a vital railway terminus during the Civil War, where one can still hear mysterious footsteps from invisible feet.
To see the haunted side of the Port City, book a tour with Alexandria Ghosts today. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Virginia hauntings.
Sources:
https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.va1295.photos/?sp=1
https://alextimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/10.27.22-Layout.pdf
Book A Alexandria Ghosts Tour And See For Yourself
Our Alexandria ghost tour reveals Old Town’s hallowed past and eerie hauntings to show you why Alexandria is one of the most haunted cities in Virginia.
From Natives who lived here thousands of years ago to John Smith and the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, join Alexandria Ghosts for an unflinching look into the city’s history, frighteningly haunted places, and tales of the real unexplained activity experienced by its residents.
