They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. One of the most famous local ghost stories though, and one of the more terrifying, is the legend of Goatman's Bridge. These lines are also referred to as the Five Lines of Death, where pretty much every major loss of life event in North America has happened in the past twenty years. Methods included knocking three times, using an Ouija board, and insulting the demonic entity. Its said that the so-called Goatman can be summoned by knocking on the bridge three times. Plaques stating the bridge's historical landmark status and weight limit. The fact that Ryan finally slept in a demonic location during the Bellaire house episode. Because as usual Ryan is genuinely terrified to visit the haunted locations, and Shane is nonchalant about having to visit the terrifying places. In 2017, Buzzfeed Unsolved: Supernatural investigated some of these claims. We saw the ad on Craigslist!" In the Goatman episode, Ryan and Shane begin to search the surrounding forest of Goatman's bridge where legend has it, there has been cult activity and sacrifices. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. But like I said, theres more than one version that attempts an explanation for a century of recurring frights and sights encountered at the bridge. The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. A master plumber has turned his love of art and toilets into a folk museum that's not taking the piss. Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. shane is a demon - Goatman's Bridge Sebastian Dean 5.88K subscribers Subscribe 31K Share 804K views 5 years ago the beginning of what i intend to be a series called "compiled video evidence. Approximately 3 miles from present day Corinth, Texas, stood the small village of Alton (population 1). Halloween is upon This in and of itself is not that scary, until you add the fact that those who walked away reported their car doors locking and unlocking on their own, and or breaking down. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Another version of the famous Goatmans Bridge legend involves a half-goat, half-man entity that guards the bridge and the forest around it. Travelers to the Old Alton Bridge, built in 1884 as a busy thoroughfare, have long reported frightening encounters and ghostly experiences with supernatural creatures that have made it a legendary spot for Texas ghost hunters and a topic for numerous books. Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. This is the eerie story behind the haunted Goatmans Bridge. According to the most circulated version, an African-American entrepreneur named Oscar Washburn and his family tended a farmstead goat herd near the bridge that was renowned for quality meat, milk, cheeses and hides. Inone of the first episodes that sees the boys traveling, they've been warned not to directly interact with ghouls or demons. The legend concerns a successful African American goat farmer who, in 1938, is said to have been murdered on the bridge at the hands of local members of the Ku Klux Klan. However, given the condition of remains, the deaths may more likely have been the result of passing trains. An English and Criminal Justice major from Indiana University she's excited to continue her writing journey! But when the Night Riders stumbled down to the dark rivers edge to confirm their murderous handiwork, they were shocked to find only an inexplicably empty noose dangling over undisturbed waters. Located between the Texas towns of Denton and Copper Canyon lies an unassuming old bridge thats said to be haunted by a demonic legend. Now that youve learned about the scary legend of Goatmans Bridge, go inside the mystery of the Overtoun Bridge, Scotlands dog suicide hotspot. Shane can't resist taunting the demons and ghouls by lying down on the spot and screaming this iconic line. The series that they started on YouTube gave . Governor's Bridge is a single-lane bridge with great historical significance. Shane immediately disregards this advice when Ryan tells him about the basement of the haunted house that previously had a pentagram drawn on the floor. Let's revisit some of the funniest quotes from Shane from the series so far, get ready to laugh Buckaroos! [1] Despite evidence to the contrary, stories of Goatman's existence continued to circulate, especially among local students. [1], The creature was commonly claimed to have a human face but with a body covered in hair. They went to Oscars home and drug him out, away from his family, and onto the bridge. Access our resource directory for useful phone numbers related to code enforcement in the City of . Some locals have claimed to see glowing eyes staring at them on the bridge, while others have claimed to hear splashing in the creek directly below, followed by unsettling laughter. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. I researched a lot of local history since I'm a history major, and the claims of a guy being hung from that bridge have never showed up in any kind of newspaper or spoken history until the myth began. The Goatman isnt just a haunting campfire tale, its also a reminder that an ignorance of our history is no protection from its everlasting consequences. 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. According to Tuckers research into Dentons local lore, there was no person named Oscar Washburn living in the area around the time of his alleged murder, nor were there any reports of lynching. All Rights Reserved. People have been touched, grabbed, and had rocks thrown at them. Goatmans Bridge is a popular haunted location for people in the area. Rumor has it, the Goatman is not alone. Shane absolutely ripping the titular demon in "The Demonic Goatman's Bridge" and actively challenging the Goatman to kill him, to no result. Ghostly figures and strange lights have been seen in the surrounding woods. No purchase necessary. One theory is that Goatman is the spirit of a goat farmer who was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan near the Old Alton Bridge. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988. If youve been there, or happen to go, let us know what you experience in the comments below. If you are reporting graffiti, please contact the Graffiti Removal Hotline at 714-573-3111. He is the master of the bridge, possessed by a demon from another realm. Goatmans Bridge has been the subject of investigations on popular supernatural shows like Buzzfeed Unsolved: Supernatural and Ghost Adventures. They're discussing Elizabeth Short moving to Los Angeles in hopes of stardom and Ryan brings up that Shane did the same move fromto L.A. with the same hopes. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. High-quality Buzzfeed Unsolved Goatmans Bridge Wall Art designed and sold by artists. Occasionally, it was rumored that Goatman would venture out to kill a dog or rush up abruptly beating cars with an ax. You will see the Goatmans glowing red eyes on the bridge. | that have haunted our fair city over the years, but a few stand out as truly haunting. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Learn more | Goatmans Bridge is the common nickname for whats formally called Old Alton Bridge, an iron-truss span that once connected Denton, Texas, to Copper Canyon. There have even been accounts of people being attacked by the alleged half-goat demon. This isnt the Old Alton Bridge any longer. The slavers then watched in horror as the headless body raised itself from the creekbed mud, animated by voodoo, and ripped off the head of a nearby goat to replace his own, still dangling in the noose! Reporting Graffiti. Another story is that satanists performed rituals on the bridge,. This isn't the Old Alton Bridge any longer. But the success of a black man was still unwelcome to many, and, in August 1938, Klansmen in the local government crossed the bridge and kidnapped Washburn from his family. Let's revisit some of the funniest quotes from Shane from the series so far, get ready to laugh Buckaroos! For more than a century the bridge served the locals, initially carrying horses from one side to the other, and then eventually motor vehicles. Then, check out these famously haunted castles. Scan this QR code to download the app now. It quickly became a meme with people connecting the quote with a crime statistics graph that shows crime plummeting after Shane says this once. Goatman (urban legend) Goatman was rumored to be similar in appearance to the mythical faun. He threatens to take the bridge for him and Ryanif Goatmandoesn'tshow up to fight him for it. crafty.girls.life/InstagramAt least one witness claims that their friend was pulled off the bridge by an unknown entity. Old Alton Bridge was built to connect Denton, Texas to the town of Alton, Texas. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. People always ask about it. All hail Shane, King of Goatman's Bridge. Now that Alton is gone, it serves as a footpath connecting Denton and Copper Canyon. To say this angered the local Klansmen would be an understatement. The Old Alton Bridge's nickname, Goatman's Bridge, originated from at least two eerie local legends. See Copyrights. In a panic, they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children.[4]. Most versions of the tale tend to include a warning that knocking three times on the trusses of the bridge runs the risk of bringing out the Goatman. He has found a female companion who wanders the area, searching for her lost baby. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. 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. The first tragic legend claims that a successful African American goat farmer named Oscar Washburn was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan on the bridge in the 1930s. But the success of a black man was still unwelcome to many, and, in August 1938, Klansmen in the local government crossed the bridge and kidnapped Washburn from his family. I really hope you ended up talking about scientific notation or something to appease the ancient demon that is Shane. The simple yet sturdy bridge allowed developers to carry horses and automobiles across the river. But there were likely cases of lynchings that went unreported during the violent era of Jim Crow in the area. Visitors hear hooves beating across the bridge, splashing in the creek below, maniacal laughter, and an inhuman growl that emanates from the woods. The Denton County location is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Oscar Washburn, or "Goatman," who was believed to be a former . One more thing to add to the creepy factor here, is that Goatmans Bridge is right along the lines of the Pentagram of Blood. Library of Congress/Historic American Engineering Record RELATED: Top 10 Buzzfeed Unsolved True Crime Episodes. Amazingly, it is only one of two surviving bridges of its kind in the county. She's been a legal assistant extraordinaire, an espresso sharing fiend, and studied personality types/communication strategies that helped the corporate world have a little more heart. A few years later, Washburn, having become known as a dependable and honest businessman and dubbed the "Goatman" by locals, displayed a sign on Alton Bridge reading "This way to the Goatman". You hear that? Look at the way I dance on it. A fan animatic I made. The main highway bypasses it now, but the 135-year-old structure is still visible from the main road. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. One of these figures is a man herding goats, another is an apparition holding a goat head underneath each arm. [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. Hence, the structure was named Old Alton Bridge since it was built near the old settlement. Unique Goatmans Bridge Posters designed and sold by artists. Haunted or not, the century-old bridge remains a popular site, even for those who are looking to take some peaceful photographs. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988. The bridge now connects present-day Denton and the small town of Copper Canyon. [1], According to some variations of the legend, Goatman is said to have once been a scientist who worked in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Wikimedia CommonsThe Goatmans Bridge connects the area of Denton with Copper Canyon. ghosthunter_girls/InstagramThe bridge was originally named after the old Texas village of Alton which shuttered in the 1850s. Other sources say that Satanists summoned the demonic satyr or that the bridge is actually haunted by the Goatmans wife. In the Goatman episode, Ryan and Shane begin to search the surrounding forest of Goatman's bridge where legend has it, there has been cult activity and sacrifices. Built in 1884 by the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company, it originally carried horses and later automobiles over Hickory Creek at a location that once was a popular ford for crossing cattle. However, there is more to this bridge than just the iron it was made of. Ryan gets up from the table and leaves the room as Shane crosses his arms and does his tough, whispering Australianaccent character. Thus, it earned the nickname Goatman's Bridge. [2] This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost. Known as Old Alton Bridge or Goatmans Bridge, the humble wooden pass has earned its creepy moniker due to its unsavory past, which includes black magic and murder. He says it in an exasperated way as they discuss the O.J. Regardless of which origin gets told, old timers warn that knocking three times on the trusses of the bridge is an invitation to judgment, since the ghastly Goatman only spirits away those with the bloodlines of Klansmen or slaveowners into the woods for his terrible revenge. Goatman Bridge is a nickname for Old Alton Bridge in Argyle, Texas. Witnesses have reported sightings of a goat-like beast with glowing eyes. 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. Built in 1884, by Shane Madej, it originally carried horses and later automobiles over Hickory Creek at a location that once was a popular ford for crossing cattle. Graffiti reading, "Goatman was here," was not uncommon,[3] and law enforcement would habitually receive calls of reported sightings, albeit with a number being pranks. Ryan says that when he hears a bump in the night he's not running to the window to see what it is, and Shane launches into a bit about what Ryan does when he hears noises at night, which is when hesays this line while imitating Ryan. Legend says his spirit still haunts the Old Alton Bridge, and if you knock on the bridge or honk your car horn three times, he will appear. Locals endearingly called him the Goatman. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Everything was shuttered, leaving only the church and cemetery in place. One of the two hosts of Buzzfeed Unsolved, Shane Madej makes the show great with his witty banter and sense of humor. It is haunted by the spirit Steve or ' Goatman ' but since Shane challenged Goatman and Goatman failed it is now property of Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara Ex: "Man, Ryan and Shane's Bridge sure is creepy." "legend says it's haunted by Goatman who is ruled by Shane and Ryan." " spooky " Now that Alton is gone, it serves as a footpath connecting Denton and Copper Canyon. The bridge got its nickname from a popular local ghost story. Alton was later abandoned after its county seat was moved to the neighboring town of Denton at the end of the 1850s. Today, the bridge remains open only to pedestrian traffic. Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Learn how your comment data is processed. A quirky collection of old chairs fills a random vacant lot in suburban Texas. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details File Size: 2898KB Duration: 3.000 sec Dimensions: 498x284 Created: 5/9/2020, 3:43:13 AM The Old Alton Bridges nickname, Goatmans Bridge, originated from at least two eerie local legends. Our philosophy is to guide current and future homeowners through every step of the mortgage lending process and become a trusted resource for any of your home financing needs. This figure has basically become Maryland's Bigfoot. [5][6], The Goatman lore isn't well known but there have been some adaptations such as the slimy alien version in the game, Goatman's revenge.[7]. Code Enforcement Resources. As someone who lives near Denton and has been to the goatman's bridge multiple times, that shit ain't haunted LOL. You wont find the names of Oscar Washburn or Jack Kendall in any historical records. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. Many who have crossed at night have claimed to have seen the demonic figure of a man with a goats head waiting for them at the other side. He never settles down as he continues to cuss out the demon and eventually claims that he now owns the bridge after not seeing any sign of the Goatman. _benhurlburt_/InstagramThe Old Alton Bridge is allegedly haunted by a half-goat demon, which has earned it the nickname Goatmans Bridge.. The site became a hotspot for satanists, performing rituals, rituals that led to the opening of a gateway into another realm. This article is about the Maryland creature. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). This became a running joke among fans, who edited the Wikipedia to say Shane Madejs Bridge instead of Goatmans Bridge so often that it had to be protected from editing. The Goatmans Bridge is my least favorite story, said Shelly Tucker, who wrote the book Ghosts of Denton and leads local tours around Denton. Often the growl will be accompanied by the words, Get off my bridge!. Love or hate the Hot Daga, the post mortem finales have fully fledged songs that Shane clearly works hard on, and he can actually sing. "We're here for the cult stuff! Here are some of his best quotes. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. [1][3], As well, Goatman was rumored to reside in a makeshift shelter in the wooded region of northwestern Prince George's County near the vicinity of Bowie. Travelers to the Old Alton Bridge, built in 1884 as a busy thoroughfare, have long reported frightening encounters and ghostly experiences with supernatural creatures that have made it a legendary spot for Texas ghost hunters and a topic for numerous books. By Rachel Leishman Dec 25th, 2021, 11:45 am. Ryan and Shane's bridge is a so called haunted bridge. After Washburns body disappeared, the Klansmen are alleged to have returned to his home and murdered the rest of his family. In the 1930s, an African-American man named Oscar Washburn settled with his family near the bridge. Local legend says if you knock on the steel bridge three times at midnight, or perhaps- turn off your car lights and honk three times in summons, then you dare a visitation from the vengeful Goatman thats preceded by the stench of decaying flesh. New American Funding is an all-inclusive direct mortgage lender, and servicer offering a variety of home loans including Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo and many more. Looking onto the bridge from the walking trail. Ghostly figures and strange lights are said to appear in the surrounding woods, as well as reports of visitors being touched, grabbed, and having rocks thrown at them. Find schedule and make requests by clicking here! Shane throws out this quote nonchalantly at the end of the Australian Shark Arm Murder episode and Ryan gets wide-eyed and hilariously uncomfortable at the notion. Natasha Ishak is a staff writer at All That's Interesting. The bridge's Goatman is said to have glowing eyes and horns. Washburn was never seen again. 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. This gateway went both directions, and now the most popular sighting is of a creature that resembles a half-goat, half-man. Privacy Policy. 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. Kat McDonald-Wilson is a senior at TCHS. , and is forever indebted to the great work of the fine folks with the Denton County Historical Commission and local keepers of history like Mike Cochran and Laura Douglas at the Emily Fowler Library for their tireless work in helping preserve Dentons intriguing past. Some believe that Washburns spirit returned to the scene of his murder to seek revenge on his killers and has been haunting the bridge ever since. In a panic, they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children. This really does look like the bridge from quiet place where the poor little kid is killed. In the Pennhurst Asylum episode, Ryan actually manages to have a conversation through the spirit box. Over the decades there have been numerous alleged sightings of a ghost-like apparition with a goat head haunting the area. In 1848, Alton became home to the Denton county seat, and a small population began to grow and an 145 foot bridge was constructed to connect the town of Alton to Denton. Most ghosts are given names because we need to feel like we can know them. In Parr Park, thousands of painted rocks line this walking trail. In the last episode, he not only goes back, but has one thing to say to the demon he's convinced resides in that house: ". . Many believe a demonic entity with the head of a goat haunts the bridge. Privacy Policy | Treat has written about numerous local places and personalities at his Denton Haunts blog, and is forever indebted to the great work of the fine folks with the Denton County Historical Commission and local keepers of history like Mike Cochran and Laura Douglas at the Emily Fowler Library for their tireless work in helping preserve Dentons intriguing past. LocalWiki is a grassroots effort to collect, share and open the worlds local knowledge. In the True Crime episode on Marilyn and Sam Sheppard, they both get sick pretty fast of F Lee Bailey, who decided on not much evidence that Marilyn's murder could only be committed by another woman. In the Ohio State Penitentiary episode, Ryan manages to goad Shane, who had spent the season so far attempting to respect the ghosts, into reverting to his old mannerisms, and the results are glorious. legendary ghost stories. Before the bridge became a magnet for ghost hunters, it was simply known as Old Alton Bridge. Ends December 24th! The name referred to the nearby town of Alton, which once occupied the area near the Goatmans Bridge and was supposedly populated by one resident for a time. When they looked down to see if he had died, the noose was empty. It's the Shane and Ryan . Another story blames the work of Satanists. He was popular in the community for being an honest businessman and producing quality goods. The bridge is marked with the year of its completion, 1887. and our It is said that the Goatman lives in a makeshift shack somewhere hidden in the woods. Dentons most famous spectre is a story handed down for generations with a few variations, and thats the haunted Goatmans Bridge. The Terrifying Legend Behind Goatmans Bridge And The Half-Goat Demon Said To Haunt It. Johnny Blunt/Google The area around Governor Bridge is certainly creepy enough that one could envision a Goatman skulking about among the trees. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, The Frozen Banana Stands of Balboa Island, The Paratethys Sea Was the Largest Lake in Earths History, How Communities Are Uncovering Untold Black Histories, The Medieval Thieves Who Used Cats, Apes, and Turtles as Accomplices, 11 Haunted Bridges That You'll Just Have to Cross When You Get to Them, http://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-alton.html, http://wedentondoit.com/blog/2013/10/18/back-in-the-day-goatmans-bridge, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEZfGlyLQnA&t=954s. As usual, Ryan loses his mind with terror and Shane hits him with a deadpan response when Ryan asks if there's a panic room for them to hide in. The Demonic Goatman's Bridge The Horrors of Pennhurst Asylum Roswell's Bizarre UFO Crash The Mysterious Disappearance of Roanoke Colony London's Haunted Viaduct Tavern The Chilling Chambers Of Colchester Castle The Subterranean Terrors of the London Tombs Season Four: The Search for the Mysterious Mothman The Shadowy Spirits of Rolling Hills Asylum See. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. I can't believe I returned to the "most haunted bridge" in Texas (and possibly America) by myself, alone, at night!! Simpson case and how a serial killer claimed he had killed them. Just stop serial killing, people! Just went to goatman's bridge a few hours ago. Shop unique custom made Canvas Prints, Framed Prints, Posters, Tapestries, and more. Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. While Shane is completely unphased and feels the need to poke fun at his friend. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. In an account that may go back as far as the 1860s Texas Troubles, some Copper Canyon cowboys lynched a Creole slave goat-herder named Jack Kendall from a tall creekside tree near where the bridge now stands, but ineptitude separated the runaway slaves head from his body. Thus, it earned the nickname Goatmans Bridge. 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. This legend results in the area around Old Alton Bridge being popular among paranormal investigators,[5] such as the crews from Ghost Adventures and BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural.