Unearth The Voyage
America has thousands of bridges, but some carry more than just traffic. Wrapped in eerie folklore, ghostly encounters, and dark history, certain bridges have earned a reputation that keeps locals talking for generations.
From covered bridges in Vermont to railroad trestles in Kentucky, these stories blend tragedy, mystery, and local culture in ways that are hard to ignore. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these 7 bridges and their legends are genuinely fascinating.
1. Cry Baby Bridge – Various Locations (OH, TX, IN, IL and More)
You might be surprised to learn that “Cry Baby Bridge” is not just one place. Dozens of states claim their own version, with Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and Illinois among the most well-known.
Each bridge carries a heartbreaking variation of the same tale.
Most stories involve a mother who lost her baby near or on the bridge, either through drowning or a tragic accident. Locals claim that if you stop your car on the bridge at midnight, you can hear a baby crying from the water below.
What makes this legend so powerful is how widely it has spread. Different communities have shaped the story to fit their own history, making it feel personal and local every time.
Whether the sounds are real or imagined, generations of teenagers have tested their nerves on these bridges, and many swear they heard something unexplainable echoing in the dark.
2. Goatman’s Bridge (Old Alton Bridge) – Denton, Texas
Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas, has been standing since 1884, but its nickname, Goatman’s Bridge, is what draws curious visitors from across the country. The legend is rooted in a dark chapter of local history involving racial violence in the 1930s.
According to folklore, a successful Black goat farmer named Oscar Washburn was murdered on or near the bridge by a KKK mob. After that night, people began reporting sightings of a strange, goat-like creature lurking in the surrounding woods.
The bridge gained national attention after being featured on paranormal television programs. Ghost hunters and thrill-seekers regularly visit the site, claiming to experience unexplained sounds and shadowy figures.
The Denton County authorities have had to manage trespassing issues over the years. Regardless of your beliefs, the bridge stands as a sobering reminder of real historical trauma wrapped inside a chilling local legend.
3. Stowe Hollow Bridge (Emily’s Bridge) – Stowe, Vermont
Gold Brook Covered Bridge in Stowe, Vermont, is more commonly known as Emily’s Bridge, and it has been attracting paranormal enthusiasts for decades. The structure itself dates back to 1844, making it one of Vermont’s oldest covered bridges still in use.
The legend centers on a young woman named Emily who allegedly died on or near the bridge under tragic circumstances, often described as a failed elopement ending in suicide. Visitors have reported scratch marks appearing on their cars after crossing, as well as unexplained handprints on wooden beams inside the bridge.
Some accounts mention hearing footsteps or feeling sudden drops in temperature while passing through. Local historians note that no concrete record of an “Emily” has been found, which adds another layer of mystery.
Still, the bridge remains one of New England’s most visited paranormal landmarks, drawing curious travelers every fall when the surrounding foliage makes it even more atmospheric.
4. Clinton Road Bridge – West Milford, New Jersey
Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey, is widely considered one of the most haunted stretches of road in the United States, and the small bridge along it plays a central role in the legend. The road itself runs through miles of isolated forest, and strange stories have followed it for generations.
The most repeated tale involves a young boy who drowned near the bridge. Locals claim that if you toss a coin into the water at midnight, the ghost of the boy will throw it back.
Some say they have actually retrieved coins from the water after doing exactly that.
The road has also been linked to Satanic rituals, Ku Klux Klan activity, and alleged mob dumping grounds over the years. Whether any of those stories hold up historically is debatable, but the road’s genuine isolation and darkness make every tale feel entirely plausible once you are standing there alone.
5. Hell’s Gate Bridge – Oxford, Alabama
Tucked away in Oxford, Alabama, Hell’s Gate Bridge carries a legend that has been passed down through local families for decades. The name alone is enough to make most people think twice before crossing after dark, and the story behind it does not make things any less unsettling.
According to local lore, if you drive across the bridge at night, turn off your engine, and put your car in neutral, the vehicle will not restart. Some versions of the story claim that unseen hands will push the car forward, and that you are not alone on the bridge.
Teens in the area have long used the bridge as a dare destination, and stories of unexplained experiences have circulated through the community for years. The bridge’s remote location and the darkness surrounding it certainly help set the mood.
Whether the car stalling is mechanical or something else entirely, nobody has offered a fully satisfying explanation.
6. Pope Lick Trestle – Louisville, Kentucky
The Pope Lick Trestle in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the few entries on this list where the danger is not just legend. The bridge carries active railroad tracks high above Pope Lick Creek, and authorities have repeatedly warned the public to stay away from it.
The supernatural story involves the Pope Lick Monster, described as a half-man, half-goat creature said to lure people onto the trestle. According to legend, the creature uses hypnosis or mimics human voices to draw victims into the path of oncoming trains.
Several real deaths have occurred at this location over the years, which makes the warnings from local police very serious.
The legend is believed to have roots in local folklore mixed with circus mythology, possibly involving a deformed performer. Regardless of origin, the site has been the subject of documentaries and news coverage.
The very real tragedy surrounding it makes the Pope Lick Trestle one of America’s most sobering haunted landmarks.
7. Donkey Lady Bridge – San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas, has a legend that is both tragic and terrifying in equal measure. The Donkey Lady Bridge, located along Applewhite Road over Elm Creek, is named after a woman whose story has been told in the area for decades.
According to the legend, a woman was severely burned in a fire that also killed her family. Her injuries left her disfigured, with fused fingers that resembled hooves, and she retreated to the woods near the bridge.
Locals claim she still haunts the area, and that strange braying sounds can be heard near the water at night.
Some versions of the story describe her charging at cars that cross the bridge slowly or stop on it. The legend has become one of San Antonio’s most recognized pieces of local folklore, generating interest from ghost hunters and curious residents alike.
The bridge itself is real, accessible, and genuinely unsettling after dark on a quiet night.
