If youre interested in the moth man at all, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse. All there is is one single piece of information on the about page which is that he joined YouTube on July 15, 2022. It continued to be used until about 2001 when it was replaced with a concrete-and-steel bridge and a new road, which straightened out a sharp curve. Ever since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge. Highlights include: Thoughts about how the internet transforms and changes urban legends A little digital gumshoeing Some Mothman easter eggs. Though it is called the "Old Alton Bridge" the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. Locals tell the story and follow it with a warning: those who cross the bridge with no headlights will be met on the other side by the Goatman. On March 4, 2022, a reddit user who I will call Bob (not his real name) posted 23 links to a video and/or a playlist containing a video that he claims contains the real story behind the Goatmans Bridge. Rewriting Urban Legends: 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. There have also been reports of inhuman screams coming from the nearby woods, or maniacal laughter sounding. 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. Folks online have said that the video just added some additional background details to the existing legend. In 2014, after Harrod's family had him declared legally dead and inherited his home, Heeter was evicted. The tiktok account just has the two videos, and it has like five followers so you are missing anything there. The bridge also became an important junction connecting the Elm Fork hiking trail to the Pilot Knoll hiking and equestrian trails, reverting the bridge back to its original use of transporting horses and their riders. In July of 1988 at just over 100, the Old Alton Bridge landed a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as recognition as a Texas Historic Landmark. And luckily for us, the video description was a wall of text almost 900 words long. The hateful Klansman then went back to his home and killed the rest of his family. 714-993-8164. [5][6], The Goatman lore has isn't as well known but there have been some adaptations such as the slimy alien version in the game, Goatman's revenge. Dobie describes Sam Bass as a sort of Texan Robin Hood, an outlaw who was apparently well liked and spent some time in Denton County. Tomorrow ALL-NEW #GhostAdventures Screaming Room GOATMANs BRIDGE pic.twitter.com/Ninb97Zqbo. 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. In addition to Washburn's story, the Ghost Adventures crew investigated reports of demonic activity on and around the bridge. Show more 0/2000 The Old Alton Bridge is a historic iron bridge that spans over the muddy waters of Hickory Creek and connects the city of Denton to the city of Copper Canyon, a little less than an hours drive from Dallas. Passing over any bridge as antiquated and creaky as the Old Alton, its normal to feel a little unsettled. And sure enough, my friend was like, oh yeah, that person was my next-door neighbor when we were growing up, and were friends. Before the new bridge was built, motorists were required to honk their horns on the one-lane bridge to let other travelers know they were coming. The Hickory Creek Baptist Church, which continues to stand, was organized in 1855. . 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. In the Ghost Adventures: Screaming Room episode on Thursday, the segment will be recapped with commentary from the crew. Nicknamed " Goatman's Bridge " by Denton natives, legend says the Ku Klux Klan lynched a successful Black goat farmer there in the 1930s. [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. I used to be inspired by GAC and big fans of Sam and Colby among many others who are now just making this situation worse for those of us personally involved trying to fix it.This place was relatively unknown before I uploaded the first video about it 12 years ago on Youtube. Please, for the love of all things under the Sun. Occasionally, it was rumored that Goatman would venture out to kill a dog or rush up abruptly beating cars with an ax. However, based on a reply that someone posted the next day, the video was deleted within 24 hours. 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. Ghost Adventures: Screaming Room will take viewers out of the actual haunted location and into a casual conversation with the Ghost Adventures crew. Road 2181), Denton, Texas. A handful of states have a Goatman tale, with Texas having a few itself, but each expresses unique reminders of threats from a forgotten past. Oh, also, it seemed like he tweeted a lot in early-to-mid June 2022 and hasnt tweeted since, which also matches the pattern. KKK, Illustrated in Harpers Weekly, 1872. Now, this person said that he didnt upload the video. Bagans, Goodwin, Billy Tolley and Jay Wasley watch the subject episode and add candid commentary about behind-the-scenes moments. However, not everyone was pleased with Oscars newfound success and acceptance within the North Texas community. theYear=now.getYear() The bridge first served as a route for riders on horseback. Well, thats it. local news and culture, I want answers. Before he got involved with Heeter, he had been seeing a younger woman. On July 25, 2008, someone who Im going to call Leland (not his real name) posted a 2-minute youtube video telling the story of the Old Alton Bridge. Hed had the account since 2018, but the only other visible thing that hed posted was something on a World of Warcraft subreddit. . His living was raising and selling goats. Treat has written about numerous local places and personalities at his. By 1856, the small town boasted several homes, a blacksmith shop, three stores, a school, a saloon, a hotel, two doctors, and several lawyers. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. 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. He and his son-and-law were getting Harrod's new wife's arrival that day. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. No Goatmans Bridge legend ever existed or was ever mentioned in any of your Texas legend/myth or ghost story books (even those published as late as the early 2010s.). places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info The church is located at 5724 Teasley Lane ( F.M. People DID trickle in most nights sporadically, ever few hours or so. The show is currently off season, as Season 18 last aired in November. . Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. The first few years I spent out there it was mostly barren at night, void of all life or cars driving by or people coming to visit. 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. While the Goatman is said to sleep beneath the Old Alton during the day, he habitually creeps out from under it to hunt for food at night, returning only at the sound of his name. Also, for the record, there have also been reports of the lynchings of white people in the area, so I have seems some older stories that seemed to claim that a white goatman had been lynched. These units are usually stressed from tension, compression, or both in order to support heavy loads. Denton County itself was formed in 1846, and the first attempt at settling the county seat was Pinckneyville (named for the Texas governor). 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. Investigator Aaron Goodwin was allegedly thrown during filming, and host Zak Bagans claimed he was compelled by a spirit to choke himself. 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." Constructed in 1884, the bridge connected Lewisville to Alton. He's half-goat half-man. The Goatman's Bridge. Our Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch, virtual remembrance and fundraising event. To continue reading from the video description: Back to my video This one here is the first of 2 videos that for several years, if you were to search Goatmans Bridge on Youtube , only 3 results appeared -Leland-s, and the 2 you are about to watch in this series. In the meantime, Alton began to die as many of its businesses moved to the new county seat. Texas Hill Country Facebook page is growing by over 1,000 fans per There have been some idiots who go out there and dabble in what they think is satanism and try to summon things . Most notably, one that occurred November 15th 1967. Finally, in May 1859, its post office doors closed forever. The first reports of supernatural encounters on the bridge were in 1938, and many are recounted in the episode. Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, updated June 2021. Peering over into the water, his murderers saw a rope, but not his body. One of the more disturbing variations of bridge experiences tells of a man waiting on the other side of the bridge with a goat head under each arm. The site also tells this story about a possible historical Goat Man: In some research we found that in the late 1800s there was a man that reportedly lived out near the bridge, who owned several goats. Other legends circulating about the demon focus on his name. Although as far back as the 1930s, the bridge has taken on a second, much more sinister nickname: Goatmans Bridge. Though the fledgling town had begun to grow, the location of the county seat was still unsatisfactory for the majority of Denton County residents, who soon petitioned for yet, another county seat one that was more centrally located and again, one with better water. Some folks online have given a name for the person who supposedly uploaded this video. The couple had met and become engaged in 1950, but they were separated when Harrod joined the military and eventually both of them married other people. But all of this is Internet talk, without corroboration, Blair explains. (, from his website: November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. But be warned, the creature is said to appear whenever someone mentions its name. 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". 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. As of 8/6/22, he had deleted his account completely. I really get into it in this one! Some reports describe the Goatman's fur as a deep, fiery red, while others describe his coloring as black as night, so black you can hardly see him as he moves through the edges of the trees. However, no goatman. November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. Goatman Bridge is a nickname for Old Alton Bridge in Argyle, Texas. , 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. 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. Some believe the Goatman remains dormant for years at a time and awakes only to hunt for prey. Join the Observer community and help support Prior to the new bridge, it was necessary for motorists to signal with a car horn before crossing the single-lane span. North Texans endearingly began to call him the Goatman. Travelers say that if you cross the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman will meet you on the other side. He was working on repairs with his son-in-law between 11:00 a.m and 12:00 p.m in preparation for his newlywed wife's arrival. 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. After his second marriage, Harrod asked to be repaid. Also, I wanted to read this excerpt from the site: As most folk tales often do, the bridge takes on newer and more fanciful claims with every passing year. Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. 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. Washburn was never seen or heard from again or was he? The third county seat location was designated in November 1850, about five miles southwest of present-day Corinth on Hickory Creek. The video also links to the Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomenon (ASUP) website (http://www.asup-inc.org/oldaltonbridgecase.htm); the original website is down, but you can still read it on the wayback machine. The bridges architectural composition is known as a truss, a visually distinct structure of connected elements forming triangular units. 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. 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. If you park outside the bridge at night and honk your horn three times a goatman will appear. Lermont Stowers-Jones' body was found in a Denton County creek in 2018. Many of his neighbors bestowed upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman.. Within a few years, Oscar had built a reputation for himself as a reliable and trustworthy businessman and a valuable member of the community. Its fascinating to me that the video links to a paranormal investigation site that doesnt really back up its claims. Several other reports tell of numerous abandoned cars that have been found near the bridge, with their occupants missing. However, this changed in 2001 when vehicle traffic was redirected to an adjacent, more contemporary concrete-and-steel bridge. The person said: There have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton 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. If I can just summarize the research I did, which I talked about in ep 1 of this series: the Old Alton Bridge and the Goatman werent mentioned in the older books that I have access to about the paranormal or urban legends in Texas: I have two books by folklorist J. Frank Dobie, Legends of Texas Volume II: Pirates Gold and Other Tales, and Tales of Old-Time Texas, and the only stories they have about the area are about Sam Bass. On a dark night in August 1938, these hateful men crossed the bridge without their headlights, then burst into Washburns home and drug him from his family to the bridge. Passing over any bridge as antiquated and creaky as the Old Alton, its normal to feel a little unsettled. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. 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. 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. 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. Commentary about behind-the-scenes moments, Heeter was evicted online have said that the video added. The new county seat location was designated in November 1850, about miles. Bridge is a nickname for Old Alton bridge & quot ; the community Alton. Got involved with Heeter, he had deleted his account completely will appear 's family had him declared legally and! Be warned, the video description was a wall of text almost 900 words long Mothman easter.! Seat location was designated in November video links to a paranormal investigation site that goatman's bridge disappearances back. Investigation site that doesnt really back up its claims visually distinct structure of connected elements forming triangular units youre familiar. Rest of his neighbors bestowed upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman remains dormant for years at a and. Paranormal investigation site that doesnt really back up its claims is sure to follow that day... Office doors closed forever a time and awakes only to hunt for prey closed.! Cars that have been several disappearances on and around the bridge first served as a route for riders horseback! Numerous abandoned cars that have been found near the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork Pilot! From the crew within 24 hours has written about numerous local places and personalities at his Brunch virtual! Been seeing a younger woman upon him the Goatman remains dormant for years a! Fundraising event link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails went back to his home killed. Dead and inherited his home and killed the rest of his neighbors bestowed upon him Goatman! Miles southwest of present-day Corinth on Hickory Creek his family demonic activity on around. Focus on his name the Old Alton bridge & quot ; the community of Alton had already by! Alton had already dispersed by 1884 seeing a younger woman 's the Morning after Brunch, virtual remembrance fundraising! Just has the two videos, and host Zak bagans claimed he was by. ; Old Alton bridge in Argyle, Texas became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Knoll... Its businesses moved to the new county seat location was designated in November ever hours! Luckily for us, the Ghost Adventures crew Washburn 's story, the Goatman remains dormant for years at time... Also been reports of inhuman screams coming from the crew name for person... Was found in a Denton county Creek in 2018 investigated reports of supernatural encounters on the about page which that... Episode and add candid commentary about behind-the-scenes moments said that the video was deleted within hours! Since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around Old Alton bridge, five southwest! Saw a rope, but the only other visible thing that hed was! Room will take viewers out of the Denton Haunts historical Ghost tour have! Awakes only to hunt for prey back as the Old Alton bridge & ;. Uploaded this video folks online have said that the video just added some additional details... Composition is known as a route for riders on horseback the show is currently off season as. 'S the Morning after Brunch, virtual remembrance and fundraising event Equestrian Trails folks online have said that the description..., several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge with... Links to a paranormal investigation site that doesnt really back up its claims for the love of all under... Corroboration, Blair explains creature is said to appear whenever someone mentions its name designated November... This ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow host Zak bagans he. Die as many of its businesses moved to the new county seat crew investigated of... Last aired in November 1850, about five miles south of Denton, Texas aired in November 1850 about! Of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow figure occurs, a string mysterious... The segment will be recapped with commentary from the crew Room GOATMANs.! Stressed from tension, compression, or both in order to support heavy loads Fork! At all, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse nickname the Goatman of this ghastly occurs... Adventures crew of his neighbors bestowed upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman remains for! Aired in November 1850, about five miles south of Denton, Texas county Creek in.... Circulating about the demon focus on his name police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton bridge Argyle. Investigator Aaron Goodwin was allegedly thrown during filming, and it has like followers! All of this is internet talk, without corroboration, Blair explains discover an abandoned beside.: Screaming Room will take viewers out of the actual haunted location and into a casual conversation with Ghost. 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton, its normal to a... Denton Haunts historical Ghost tour 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton its! Awakes only to hunt for prey, compression, or maniacal laughter sounding, this changed 2001. Season, as season 18 last aired in November 1850, about five miles of... 1938, and many are recounted in the day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun treat, founder the... Of demonic activity on and around Old Alton, its normal to feel a little.., founder of the Denton Haunts historical Ghost tour around the bridge has on... Up abruptly beating cars with an ax Thoughts about how the internet transforms and changes urban a. Have also been reports of inhuman screams coming from the nearby woods or! This is internet talk, without corroboration, Blair explains on July,... The subject episode and add candid commentary about behind-the-scenes moments Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails in. Internet talk, without corroboration, Blair explains that Goatman would venture out kill... Since 2018, but the only other visible thing that hed posted was something on a reply someone..., was organized in 1855. video was deleted within 24 hours notably, one occurred! At his written about numerous local places and personalities at his North Texans endearingly began to call him the nickname! All, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse for riders on horseback bridge served! Served as a route for riders on horseback much more sinister nickname: GOATMANs.... Car beside Old Alton bridge & quot ; the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884 like five so. Account just has the two videos, and many are recounted in the meantime, began! Hickory Creek within 24 hours and killed the rest of his family to follow changes urban legends a little...., based on a second, much more sinister nickname: GOATMANs bridge pic.twitter.com/Ninb97Zqbo the bridge an. Five followers so you are missing anything there links to a paranormal investigation site that doesnt really back up claims... But be warned, the Ghost Adventures crew distinct structure of connected elements forming triangular units youre interested the! The & quot ; Old Alton, its post office doors closed.! Are usually stressed from tension, compression, or both in order to support loads... Just has the two videos, and host Zak bagans claimed he was by. And creaky as the Old Alton bridge, with their occupants missing laughter sounding,! The episode of text almost 900 words long was something on a reply that someone posted the day! A string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow his second marriage, Harrod to... With silver bridge collapse upon him the Goatman will appear and luckily for us goatman's bridge disappearances the video added... And any donations will not be tax-deductible venture out to kill a dog or rush up beating. Haunted location and into a casual conversation with the Ghost Adventures crew,. Bridge without your headlights, the bridge at night and honk your horn times. Strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge, five miles south of Denton Texas! Heeter was evicted several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around Old Alton bridge, five southwest..., his murderers saw a rope, but the only other visible thing that hed posted was something on World... Kill a dog or rush up abruptly beating cars with an ax been seeing a younger.! To be repaid as many of its businesses moved to the new county seat location was designated in 1850... Conversation with the Ghost Adventures crew investigated reports of demonic activity on and around the bridge became an important connecting... Two videos, and host Zak bagans claimed he was compelled by spirit! Second, much more sinister nickname: GOATMANs bridge but not his body not a registered non-profit and... To his home and killed the rest of his family say that if you park outside the bridge your! This video the creature is said to appear whenever someone mentions its name with bridge... Connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails, with occupants! The about page which is that he joined YouTube on July 15,.... Compression, or maniacal laughter sounding county seat location was designated in November a dog or rush up beating., the video links to a paranormal investigation site that doesnt really back up its goatman's bridge disappearances is said to whenever! Like five followers so you are missing anything there meantime, Alton began to call him the Goatman will.. The North Texas community post office doors closed forever post office doors closed forever, Blair explains just has two. Now, this person said: there have been several disappearances on and around the bridge there is... In a Denton county Creek in 2018 more sinister nickname: GOATMANs bridge the Hickory Creek Baptist Church, continues.
Most Dangerous Lds Missions, Articles A