VaCreeper.com

This structure was built in 1925 and is one of the oldest theatres in the state of Virginia. The structure originally had fabulous art deco design, but was updated around the middle of the 20th Century. The update is blamed for decreasing the property's value. The Cameo Theatre was a vaudville stage before the advent of, "moving pictures." Visitors to Bristol didn't have far to travel from the bustling train station in order to catch a show before their next journey. The building seated 550 patrons.

This well-known theater was constructed over the remnants of Bristol’s, “Little Hell.” The largest prostitution house in the city's history. The, “Black Shawl,” was headed by Pocahontas Hale, legendary madam and medicine woman. Doctors, pharmacists, and dentists frequently used her herbal remedies and carefully peeled her labels from her bottles. They called their fraud, “benevolent deception.”

Pocahontas earned more from her herbal business than with prostitution. She carefully guarded her recipes and formulas, never wrote them down, and refused to allow anyone to see her create her medicines. She always implied she was waiting on an apprentice of some kind, but she never found one.

While she earned much money, she didn’t keep it in the bank. Since she was a “madam,” she was considered subhuman regardless of how many people she helped with her medicines. When she died, people discussed what she kept in her bank account and all else. Her bank account never exceeded $100.

Residents believed she kept her money hid in an old cistern, but it was bombarded with locals who tore through it after her death. Nothing was found. Likewise, they excavated her property with no reward.

A regular customer came by her place one night, from out-of-town, and left before morning. He constructed a lavish mansion soon after. It is believed that this passer-by was the sole beneficiary of her wealth.

It is unknown whether the Cameo is paranormally active or not as there have been no formal paranormal investigations. Residents have reported a black figure circling the building who bears a striking resemblance to the infamous madam. Pictures have also been taken in front of the building showing bright white lights floating around the front.

Further Reading:

• The Cameo Theater's Plight
• The Cameo @ The League of Historic American Theatres