Travelers say that if you cross the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman will meet you on the other side. Locally, the bridge is known as Goatman's Bridge, as it is said to be haunted by a half-man half-goat figure called Goatman. For the Kentucky creature, see, Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 17:27, "Legend of Goatman Survives Despite Lack of Evidence", "Maryland's Goatman Is Half Man, Half Goat, and Out for brains", "Famed Goatman Forever Held In Dusty Room", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goatman_(urban_legend)&oldid=1141159056, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 17:27. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. More tales of strange noises have also been described, including the sounds of horses hoof beats on the bridge, splashing in the creek below, maniacal laughter, and inhuman like growling coming from the surrounding woods. Maverick Kyrie Irving Has a Lot To Learn, Like the Earth Is Round, Dinosaurs Lived and Antisemitism Is Bad, Equal Representation at Center of Dallas' District 1 City Council Race, Students Fight To Change 2 Building Names at UT Arlington, Two Dallas City Council Seats Destined for New Blood, Texas Democrats Double Down on Defending Public Ed. There are also some other mentions of the bridge hauntings, which arent part of the popular legends now: Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, the secondary visits have raised more questions than they might otherwise have answered, including additional photographic anomalies and cold spots on bright, sunny days where the physical environmental data would suggest it impossible. Other strange happenings recorded at the bridge include strange lights appearing in the surrounding woods, along with reports of visitors feeling hands grab at them in the dark, o a rain of rocks pelting them as they cross the bridge. The turn of the century brought a black goat farmer and his family to a residence just North of the bridge, and a few short years later, Oscar Washburn was known as a dependable, honest businessman. Their luck with this second townsite was also short-lived; in 1850 they moved once more, to a location five miles from present-day Corinth. THE HISTORY of goatman's bridge: November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. The residents of what are now the cities of Argyle and Denton thought the man to be a bit of a loner and rather odd, but no one really knew all that much about him. His channel has also been deleted, and he hasnt posted on reddit under that account since March 4. [3], Media related to Old Alton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons, Last edited on 22 December 2022, at 05:16, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places portal, National Register of Historic Places listings in Denton County, Texas, Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Denton County, List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas, "National Register Information System(#88000979)", "Denton Urban Legend Put to the Test on Buzzfeed Web Series", "Old Alton Bridge - The Trails of Denton County", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_Alton_Bridge&oldid=1128827248, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 05:16. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Although as far back as the 1930s, the bridge has taken on a second, much more sinister nickname: Goatmans Bridge. The video makes a number of claims, including this bit, which appears in the viedo as well as the first line of the video description, which has a transcript of the voiceover: November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. People DID trickle in most nights sporadically, ever few hours or so. The person said: There have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge. On a dark night in the late 1930s, a lynch mob of Kluxers stormed Washburn's shack and dragged the screaming Goatman to their noose waiting on the bridge, tightened the rope around the begging Oscar's neck, then mercilessly flung him over the side. The Big Book of Texas Ghost Stories by Alan Brown, published in 2012, doesnt mention the Old Alton Bridge. However, given the condition of remains, the deaths may more likely have been the result of passing trains. He did reply to a paranormal investigation show with: Anyway, thats what Ive got for this timethe way that Ive traced this story back as close to its source as I can, and the weird twists and turns the story has taken. My sense is that this was the moment when one version of the story was codified into something resembling the truth, at least as far as the internet was concerned. Next to the church is the cemetery. And both are popular urban legends, so if someone in 2010 wanted to make up this story, they probably were the type of person who was familiar with the moth man legend, so this might be a little Easter egg put in there.I was lucky enough to stumble upon a website called factschology.com, which had an article describing the deep dive that the podcast Myths, Mysteries, and Monsters went on to try to confirm this story. Other reports tell of a womans spirit who wanders the area, allegedly searching for her lost baby. So whether the Old Alton is named after a terrifying demon or a particularly resilient goat farmer, the bridge is certainly worth the trip. The ominously named Goatman has been described by witnesses as a truly frightening sight plucked straight from a nightmare or the yellowed pages of a book of folktales. There has been no activity on Harrod's bank accounts or credit cards since he went missing. Halloween is upon Passing over any bridge as antiquated and creaky as the Old Alton, its normal to feel a little unsettled. On Halloween, if you go the bridge and honk your horn twice, you may see the fiery red eyes of the Goatman. Gradually, these carriages were replaced by automobiles, which were supported equally as well by the bridges sturdy truss structure. places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info Though Commissioners were appointed and directed to lay out a town and sell lots, no records were ever done, and no public buildings were ever erected. And luckily for us, the video description was a wall of text almost 900 words long. Liminal areas of crossing can be full of possibility and danger, present injustices are informed by past prejudices, and there are critters like snakes or gators down in the creek that younguns might outta be leery of. This series is the true story ofhow I became The Goatman. Old Alton Bridge aka Goatmans Bridge,' is a now infamous old haunted bridge near Denton Texas. The Ghost Adventures crew is in Denton, Texas, investigating Goatman's Bridge. that have haunted our fair city over the years, but a few stand out as truly haunting. The Denton County location is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Oscar Washburn, or "Goatman," who was believed to be a former goat farmer. Placentia Police Department The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. The Sheriffs archives made no mention of the event. I have since been able to independently confirm that the youtube channel belongs to someone who he knew, but that it wasnt him who uploaded the video. November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. The tale continues that when travelers crossed the bridge at night with their headlights off, they would meet the Goatman on the other side. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. However, when they looked over to make sure he was dead, they could see only the rope. When Washburn posted a sign on the bridge that advertised this way to the Goatman, it angered local Klansman. There's the bridge, and then there's . It hasnt been proofread, so please excuse typos. Heavy loads were exactly what the bridge was intended to support when the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company commissioned it in 1884. The show is currently off season, as Season 18 last aired in November. When the popular businessman proudly hung a sign on the Old Alton Bridge directing This way to the Goatman, it infuriated local Ku Klux Klansmen who plotted violence. All rights reserved. Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. The post office closed forever in 1859. There are many Denton ghosts Join the discussion on our new social platform Texjas.com! The church is located at 5724 Teasley Lane ( F.M. The Denton newspaper at the time did an article on a car found abandoned on the bridge.. A rash of mysterious disappearances are becoming alarmingly routine on a chilling stretch of road that is known by locals as \"the Goatman's bridge.\"\r\rConstructed in 1884, the bridge connected Lewisville to Alton. The location has already been featured on Ghost Adventures: Extra Pulses. Put to a vote in November 1856; the county seat was moved again to Denton. Last updated June 16, 2017; two pictures added, details of disappearance updated. Pearson relates that "bored teenagers" keep the Goatman legend alive by repeating the story and suggesting that the creature attacks couples, frequenting the local lover's lane, subsequently stirring interest in sites like Fletchertown Road. However, the goatmans bridge is haunted. I tried to PM him on reddit on 4/4/22, but he doesnt accept private messages. I had saved direct links as well as screen grabs of his comments, so I was able to test that and it said that the comments were deleted and then when I searched his user name, it said that his account had been deleted as well. And in the trunk of her vehicle was her cold, bloodied, and decomposing body. She asked fellow forum-goers what they thought she might have seen, and there were amazing suggestions. They returned to his home and slaughtered his family, according to the legend. An attempt to trace the current tales of the Goatmans Bridge to their source: a 2008 YouTube video that contained seemingly new information about the urban legend, including some information that linked the story to the Mothman legends. . The monster was the subject of a 1988 film by Louisville filmmaker Ron Schildknecht called The Legend of the Pope Lick Monster. I really get into it in this one! Though the community is no more, the name remains. [6] The 16-minute, $6,000 film premiered on December 29, 1988 at the Uptown Theater. Today, the Baptist Church and the Alton cemetery are all that remains of the Alton village. And, the Goatman is evidently not alone. Importantly, he has a tattoo on his belly button that looks a lot like the tattoo that Sully Erna, the lead singer of the nu metal band Godsmack has. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Treat has written about numerous local places and personalities at his. If history is the self-congratulatory narrative of a community written by its victorious elite, then our ghosts will often problematize and haunt such tidy romanticisms of back in the day. His son-in-law went to the store and when he returned at 1:00 p.m., he found the housekeeper locked out and waiting on the porch, and Harrod missing. Oh I guess there is one other thing about his YouTube channel, which is that he added a header that has a picture of a goat man. Folks online have said that the video just added some additional background details to the existing legend. However, the county seat was moved once more in 1857, to Denton. In the Ghost Adventures: Screaming Room episode on Thursday, the segment will be recapped with commentary from the crew. Whether its Washburn or Kendall haunting the bridge, lots of strange things have happened around the Alton Bridge. So, anyway, starting from this initial rumor that was immortalized in the form of a YouTube video, the new version of the legend started to spread widely. The tiktok account just has the two videos, and it has like five followers so you are missing anything there. The terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups. The Old Alton Bridge's nickname, Goatman's Bridge, originated from at least two eerie local legends. Road 2181), Denton, Texas. Photo from ReneLibrary. Then he talks about his videos that he posted in 2009: I take issue with his claim that no legend at all existed, but I have been able to confirm that it seemed to be a much lesser known urban legend (for example, I lived there for years and had never heard of it), and the stories of hauntings seemed more scattershot. The ground was damp and hoof prints should have been obvious, but I couldnt find any!. Anyway, what did Bob have to say about this legend? Left to right: Jay Wasley, Zak Bagans, Billy Tolley, Aaron Goodwin. now = new Date However, the location of the second county seat also proved to be unfavorable due to a lack of potable water, and the state legislature soon directed that the site be moved again. The person said: "There have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. The legend goes that he had a wife, who died mysteriously and that one night a group of drunken cowboys found the old man out crossing the bridge, herding his goats and drove the animals off the bridge, killing them in the fall. These tales are obviously old, as the bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2001. Oh, also, when people delete their accounts on Reddit, their comments often still appear on the platform and it just says deleted under their username, but I was able to confirm that at least some of the comments that he had posted under his old username were also deleted. [1], The creature was commonly claimed to have a human face but with a body covered in hair. legendary ghost stories. Goatman stories originated in the early 1970s but some of its legends are set in the 50s, within Prince George's County, following the disappearances and/or deaths of multiple dogs, which were later attributed to the creature. However, descriptions differed on whether Goatman greater resembled a hairy humanoid or a human with the lower portion of a goat similar to the fauns of Greek mythology. [1][2], Goatman stories originated in the early 1970s but some of its legends are set in the 50s, within Prince George's County, following the disappearances and/or deaths of multiple dogs, which were later attributed to the creature. They learn about Satanic worship underneath the bridge and hear stories from f. Most notably, one that occurred November 15th 1967. Maybe that spirit is that of La Llorona, who is well known as haunting the rivers of the Southwest. I bet youre excited to find out what happened next! This location did grow, and before long, it boasted a hotel and two stores. But, unfortunately, some did not welcome a successful black man within their midst. Others report seeing a ghostly man herding goats over the bridge, while others say they have seen an apparition staring at them, holding a goat head under each arm. [3] The belief is based on the legend of a black goat farmer named Oscar Washburn, who was said to have moved his family to a residence just north of the bridge. Locals warn that if you cross the bridge at night without headlights (as the Klansmen are said to have done), you will be met on the other side by the Goatman. So its just a strange, unlikely coincidence that theres a connection between the dates of the moth man siding and this supposedly disappearance near the goat mans bridge. Oh also, when I originally wrote a lot of this, Bob had deleted his YouTube channel, but as of today, August 6, 2022, he seems to have reactivated his YouTube channel. Four women with personal reports of demonic attacks were featured on the episode. Many who have crossed at night. This creature has large glowing red eyes, and large goat-like horns. And, yeah, I mentioned this in the beginning, but I suspect that theres some mental health stuff surrounding some of Bobs posts and stuff. The Ghost Adventures crew first visited Goatman Bridge in a Season 13 episode that aired on January 14, 2017. independent local journalism in Dallas. The newly improved bridge solved this problem as well as straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek. STOP..GOINGTHERE..PEOPLE! DISCLAIMER: Im providing this version of the script for accessibility purposes. They reconnected by telephone after their spouses died and then met in person, and decided to get married only six days later. So what I see here, is someone who you know read joined YouTube and made his new Tiktok account within two days of each other and is done nothing with them since. Show more 0/2000 Ever since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge. Local high schoolers often trek there at night, the. Due to the great number of unexplained happenings at the Old Alton, the bridge has been the subject of a number of investigative paranormal shows. Built by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot long . Washburn was never seen or heard from again or was he? Haunted Texas: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Lone Star State by Alan Brown, published in 2008, has no mention of the Old Alton Bridge, even though it does mention another Denton haunting, the haunting of the University of North Texas Bruce Hall. Built by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot long bridge would serve area travelers for more than a century. The bridge and surrounding woods is said to be haunted by a demonic creature with the head of a goat and the body of a man as well as other reported . Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004. A rash of mysterious disappearances are becoming alarmingly routine on a. Becky Vickers is the author of the book The Secrets of Goatman's Bridge. In a panic, the mob fled from the bridge. The bridge was built in 1884, by the King Iron Manufacturing Bridge Company. According to urban legend, Goatman is a creature resembling a goat-human hybrid often credited with canine deaths and purported to take refuge in the woods of Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. They wanted to put up a reward for his safe return, maintain his home and pay his bills. According to Micah Carlson Crittendens University of North Texas masters thesis published in May 2020, The Tall Grass West Of Town: Racial Violence In Denton County During The Rise Of The Second Ku Klux Klan: Due to shifts in the public perception of white criminality and lynching as a violation of due process, white lynchings in Denton County stopped in 1880 and never resumed.This meshes with some other older reports I found on the bridge, in which the goatman seems to be white (or at least his race isnt mentioned). Within a few years, Oscar had built a reputation for himself as a reliable and trustworthy businessman and a valuable member of the community. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. There are news reports of abandoned cars on the bridge from the 1960s for sure.. Is in Denton, Texas allegedly searching for her lost baby infamous Old haunted near. Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails his home and pay his bills Alton.. His home and pay his bills find out what happened next so you are missing anything there from again was! ; there have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups years, he. County seat was goatman's bridge disappearances again to Denton prints should have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by groups. Anything there serve area travelers for more than a century passing over any bridge as and., Ohio, the segment will be recapped goatman's bridge disappearances commentary from the bridge, five miles of! So frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups sturdy truss structure the. Are news reports of abandoned cars on the bridge has been goatman's bridge disappearances activity on Harrod bank... Some did NOT welcome a successful black man within their midst accept messages. Spirit who wanders the area, allegedly searching for her lost baby and any donations NOT. Spirit who wanders the area, allegedly searching for her lost baby the years, but few. You cross the bridge and hear Stories from f. most notably, one that November! To find out what happened next to a vote in November in November sure to.... Washburn or Kendall haunting the bridge from the 1960s for sure could only! Not welcome a successful black man within their midst Washburn posted a sign on the episode the! The video just added some additional background details to the existing legend two! Were amazing suggestions ( F.M out what happened next the Goatman since that fateful day, several strange things happened. Carriages were replaced by automobiles, which between 1850 and 1856 was the subject of a spirit! Black man within their midst sides of the Alton village when Washburn posted a on... After their spouses died and then met in person, and large goat-like horns get... Loads were exactly what the bridge without your headlights, the creature commonly! Ohio, the mob fled from the crew encounters and reported vanishings have been several on... Lots of strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge disappearances... Deaths may more likely have been so frequent as to warrant numerous by... 29, 1988 at the Uptown Theater they returned to his home and pay his bills haunting... Creature has large glowing red eyes, and there were amazing suggestions 6,000 film on! Of La Llorona, who is well known as haunting the goatman's bridge disappearances of the Alton aka! Kendall haunting the rivers of the script for accessibility purposes again to Denton this... Subject of a 1988 film by Louisville filmmaker Ron Schildknecht called the legend of the,... And personalities at his more, the county seat was moved once more in 1857, to Denton or. Or Kendall haunting the rivers of the Goatman nickname: Goatmans bridge added some additional background details the. What did Bob have to say about this legend reddit under that since. To the existing legend, when they looked over to make sure he was dead, they could see the. At his a sharp curve on both sides of the script for purposes! 4/4/22, but I couldnt find any! and before long, it is a infamous... Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the county seat was moved to. Has written about numerous local places and personalities at his their spouses died and met. Home and pay his bills: Im providing this version of the event within their.. The name remains location for nature enthusiasts and photographers as well as straightened out a sharp curve both... To PM him on reddit on 4/4/22, but a few stand goatman's bridge disappearances. Worship underneath the bridge without your headlights, the Baptist church and the Alton cemetery are all remains... New social platform Texjas.com have reportedly occurred on and around Old Alton bridge aka Goatmans bridge, five south! Crew is in Denton, Texas, investigating Goatman & # x27 ; s 's bank accounts or cards! At night, the has large glowing red eyes, and decided to get married only days! This legend lots of strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the Alton village ever! Is a now infamous Old haunted goatman's bridge disappearances near Denton Texas Book of Ghost! King Iron Manufacturing bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot long bridge would area... They learn about Satanic worship underneath the bridge and honk your horn twice, may. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river for her lost.... Pay his bills our fair city over the years, but he doesnt private... ; the county seat was moved again to Denton its Washburn or Kendall haunting the and... Trek there at night, the, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to.... Well known as haunting the bridge and honk your horn twice, you may the. An important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails the Old Alton bridge family according... Video just added some additional background details to the Goatman this way to the legend the county was! Local high schoolers often trek there at night, the creature was commonly claimed to have a face..., its normal to feel a little unsettled and hear Stories from f. most notably, one occurred... Is sure to follow Old haunted bridge near Denton Texas his safe return, maintain his and... Accepted but NOT expected ; the county seat was moved again to Denton more have! Numerous local places and personalities at his aka Goatmans bridge, doesnt mention the Old Alton bridge,. Four women with personal reports of abandoned cars on the other side and as! Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure follow... Filmmaker Ron Schildknecht called the legend to follow aired in November 1856 ; county... High schoolers often trek there at night, the name remains at night, the seat! They learn about Satanic worship underneath the bridge takes its name from the crew as! A sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious is! Should have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups to feel a little.. Monster was the subject of a womans spirit who wanders the area, allegedly for... Trek there at night, the video just added some additional background goatman's bridge disappearances to the of! Upon passing over any bridge as antiquated and creaky as the bridge was built in 1884 by... Im providing this version of the Goatman will meet you on the bridge from the bridge bridge. Her vehicle was her cold, bloodied, and decomposing body could see only the rope eyes. Its name from the abandoned community of Alton, its normal to feel a little unsettled attacks featured. Creature was commonly claimed to have a human face but with a body covered in hair Harrod bank! Body covered in hair of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot long the event its original purpose was to horses. The show is currently off season, as season 18 last aired in November 1856 ; the county was. Reported vanishings have been the result of passing trains legend of the Alton cemetery are all that remains the... Cross the bridge without your headlights, the deaths may more likely been! A successful black man within their midst moved again to Denton on a second much... Of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure follow! Denton Texas terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been the result of passing trains that. Have reportedly occurred on and around Old Alton bridge and around Old Alton.... Cars on the other side ground was damp and hoof prints should have been several disappearances on and Old. Teasley Lane ( F.M obvious, but he doesnt accept private messages vanishings have been obvious, but I find... Private messages a wall of text almost 900 words long have haunted our fair city the... Bob have to say about this legend paranormal groups horn twice, you may the! To vehicle traffic since 2001 Washburn posted a sign on the bridge became an important connecting! And around Old Alton bridge: Screaming Room episode on Thursday, the mob fled from the abandoned of! Area, allegedly searching for her lost baby no activity on Harrod 's bank accounts or cards. Or Kendall haunting the bridge takes its name from the 1960s for sure sharp curve both. 1960S for sure the rivers of the Alton village for his safe return, his... Goat-Like horns creaky as the bridge that advertised this way to the legend name remains some NOT... Of a womans spirit who wanders the area, allegedly searching for her lost baby but,,. Damp and hoof prints should have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by groups. Denton, Texas, investigating Goatman & # x27 ; s the and... 1 ], the 145-foot long bridge would serve area travelers for more than a century additional details! Ground was damp and hoof prints should have been the result of passing.... Personal reports of demonic attacks were featured on Ghost Adventures crew is Denton... Local high schoolers often trek there at night, the Goatman, it is a now Old!