RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A small hole in a Richmond sidewalk with a distinct shape is catching the attention of millions online — all thanks to a viral post.
You might’ve heard of the famous Chicago rat hole – but Richmonders are saying that’s got nothing on the River City’s gun hole, located west of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the city’s Fan neighborhood.
“I think it’s very it’s very silly,” said VCU sophomore Alene Snyder.” Like, I think the fact that this went viral and everybody’s giving like, offerings to it really speaks to the character of Richmond and especially like the students of VCU.”
The Richmond gun hole has made a lasting impression on many, drawing hundreds to South Addison Street between West Main Street and West Cary Street. Some visitors who made a pilgrimage to the site have even placed trinkets and offerings around it.
“The whole Richmond area revolves around this hole, actually, though, with the cylinder and the gun. We got to, we had to come see it in the flesh,” said Chesterfield residents Cameron Davidson and Nick Calhoun.
The foot traffic is all because of a viral social media post from Brock Cass, who lives right next door to the gun hole.
“Just coming back from my car one day, seeing the hole and thinking, ‘Wow, this is this is perfect. This is just like Chicago. It’s so cool that I have something like this here in Richmond.’ So I just took a picture, not thinking much of it,” said Cass.
He didn’t realize the post would be an overnight sensation – reaching almost 2 million views on X.
“I think it’s super cool to see how much can be brought together by something so simple as a pistol imprint in the sidewalk,” said Cass.
The word on the street is the sidewalk art dates all the way back to the 1990’s – some folks on social media are saying the gun hole got its shape from a strategically placed water gun. But we don’t know for sure how the design got there.
“I feel like that’s the, you know, pull to the story, because who put it here? When was it put there? You never know,” said Richmond resident Isaiah Macon.
Snyder told 8News the mystery is all part of the fun.
“I think it just it’s very Richmond, it makes a lot of sense,” said Snyder. “If you live here, you’re like, ‘Yeah, of course this would happen.’”
