He may have done that before 8/6, but thats just when I noticed it, while finalizing the script for this episode. A rash of mysterious disappearances are becoming alarmingly routine on a chilling stretch of road that is known by locals as the Goatmans bridge., It sounds like the first comment was on July 2, 2010, on randomconnections.com. "It's like all urban legends because there are actually legends similar to it all over the country," Ghosts of Denton tour guide Shelly Tucker told Discover Denton. For years, there was only 1 video on YouTube that even referenced this location or the local Legend until I started posting videos with my evidence of this mysterious places anomalies starting in 2011. 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. Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. By August 27, 2008, a commentor on the website pbase.com mentioned Oscar Washburn and the specific date, November 15, 1967, that was mentioned in the YouTube video: By 2009, people had posted the youtube video to the same forum thread that Leland had originally posted on a handful of times, and by the last page of the thread, people were mentioning Oscar Washburn by name. 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. Some attribute the work of Satanists who opened a portal for a hellspawn demon, while others say the Goatmans wife is eternally searching for her murdered children. Harrod had planned to put Heeter's name on some of his assets, including some of his properties, but he disappeared before he could do that. We also run the premiere real-estate site in the hill country at HillCountryRealestate.com. 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. All there is is one single piece of information on the about page which is that he joined YouTube on July 15, 2022. The main highway bypasses it now, but the 135-year-old structure is still visible from the main road. Over the years it gained more notoriety as I began to uncover and post more of the mystery, opening thousands of peoples minds in person who came to visit and happened to stop to have a chat with that ghost hunting guy and his beagle always at the bridge. When Denton County was formed in 1846, the first pioneers chose a place along Pecan Creek for the first county seat and named it Pinckneyville in honor of Texas first governor, James Pinckney Henderson. Although as far back as the 1930s, the bridge has taken on a second, much more sinister nickname: Goatmans Bridge. 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). 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. if (theYear < 1900) Many who have crossed at night. Heavy loads were exactly what the bridge was intended to support when the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company commissioned it in 1884. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Although he lived modestly and drove an older model car, Harrod was worth approximately $5 million. 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. The Big Book of Texas Ghost Stories by Alan Brown, published in 2012, doesnt mention the Old Alton Bridge. Before he got involved with Heeter, he had been seeing a younger woman. There are also some things that may differ between the final episode and this draft script. Residents making their way over the bridge late at night have reportedly heard her ghostly wails, and others have spotted her crying at the bridges center. My paranormal experiences became a local sensation in Denton, TX and remained the most viewed videos for awhile , even after others began to upload their own experiences. 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. Washburn was never seen again, they say, but a vengeful spirit has haunted the Old Alton Bridge ever since. 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. I tried to PM him on reddit on 4/4/22, but he doesnt accept private messages. And its not lost on me that theres a connection between the two legends: both involve a animal man hybrid as well as a bridge. Apparently, in 2010, there was a person who commented on a bunch of websites, basically anything that mentioned the bridge that year. There is nothing on the channel. The person said: "There have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge. 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. Nature lovers and paranormal enthusiasts alike will love checking out this remarkable historic landmark and the beautiful scenery surrounding it, just be sure not to cross after three a.m. https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/buzzfeed-supernatural-investigators-visit-denton-bridge-to-see-if-its-really-haunted-by-a-half-goat-half-demon-10051546, https://www.legendsofamerica.com/tx-alton/, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/goatmans-bridge, https://wedentondoit.com/blog/2013/10/18/back-in-the-day-goatmans-bridge, https://texashillcountry.com/goatman-bridge-history-hauntings-denton-alton-bridge/. The bridge was built twenty-five years later and dubbed the Old Alton Bridge.. now = new Date Copyright 2008 - 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. All my old favorite TV/YouTube Ghost Hunters are falling victim to this energy vortex!!. [7], This article is about the Maryland creature. But, unfortunately, some did not welcome a successful black man within their midst. Notably, the article mentions neither Oscar Washburn nor a disappearance in 1967. This person couldnt find newspaper articles to back up the story, but found where the rumor seemed to have started online. Join the discussion on our new social platform Texjas.com! 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. There have also been reports of inhuman screams coming from the nearby woods, or maniacal laughter sounding. . (Especially because I use dictation software for a lot of my script writing!) Lermont Stowers-Jones' body was found in a Denton County creek in 2018. that have haunted our fair city over the years, but a few stand out as truly haunting. The stated goal of, Do you ever read a book so interesting that you gotta tell. 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. The story of the Goat Man himself can't be factually confirmed, but there have been several disappearances and tales of abandoned cars found in the area going back to at least the 50's, and documented by the local police departments. The new townsite was located on a high ridge between Pecan Creek and Hickory Creek and was called Alton. Authorities don't believe Harrod was harmed by a stranger. As a mentor once wisely advised, never let the facts of a story obscure the truths in the tale. I want to say that he screams, but I don't remember. This attempt was more successful. When they looked down to see if he had died, the noose was empty. 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. The Denton newspaper at the time did an article on a car found abandoned on the bridge." \r\rSince the disappearance of the Goatman there have been many strange sightings on and near Old Alton Bridge. Throughout the years multiple origins for the Goatman have spread but the one that remains consistent is the feeling that the demon is watching.<br /><br />Listen to all the origins and find . 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. Alton, now Cooper City, has long been abandoned. For all I know, since they knew each other, they could have worked on the video together, but I dont really have evidence of that so cant and wont speculate. Washburn was never seen or heard from again or was he? Though it is called the Old Alton Bridge the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. It didnt earn the Goatman title until half a century later, when an African-American named Oscar Washburn settled in the area. The legend goes that Kendalls body reanimated through the power of voodoo, ripped off the head of a nearby goat, and replaced his head with the goats as the astonished cowboys watched in horror. 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. Oh, also, it seemed like he tweeted a lot in early-to-mid June 2022 and hasnt tweeted since, which also matches the pattern. Our There's the bridge, and then there's . From tragic and riveting tales of murder to the somewhat vague stories of a ghostly goatherder, its sure to give you the chills if you ever visit heading out there after dark probably isnt advisable, in any case! Most who were brave enough to even make the 30 second journey to the bridge, would stand on it (and im dead serious) for a minute or two and would immediately leave, not even bothering with the well-traversed-in-the-daytime hiking trail to either side along the river. Details of Disappearance. With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Hill Country, and we welcome you to our family. 714-993-8164. The show is currently off season, as Season 18 last aired in November. 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. They would pull into the parking lot, get out, turn on all the flashlights and slowly walk towards this bridge to see what this was all about. This video titled Paranormal Activity at Goatmans Bridge and its follow-up response Still Dont Believe? quickly went viral and became the top search results for the following couple years. 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. . So whether the Old Alton is named after a terrifying demon or a particularly resilient goat farmer, the bridge is certainly worth the trip. 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. [1] Despite evidence to the contrary, stories of Goatman's existence continued to circulate, especially among local students. And in the trunk of her vehicle was her cold, bloodied, and decomposing body. Often the growl will be accompanied by the words, "Get off my bridge!" However, given the condition of remains, the deaths may more likely have been the result of passing trains. Called the Old Alton Bridge, sometimes the Argyle bridge, and is better known amongst the locals as Goatmans Bridge, it was first built to carry horses but would later carry vehicles across the creek. document.write(theYear) theYear=theYear+1900 It just seems to be the story that captures everyone's imagination.". Join the Observer community and help support Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004. However, when they looked over to make sure he was dead, they could see only the rope. On February 19, following a community-wide search, Cathy's 1990 Toyota Corolla was found abandoned in the Placentia Linda Hospital parking lot. 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. Goatman. When Washburn posted a sign on the bridge that advertised this way to the Goatman, it angered local Klansman. [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. Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. [2] This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost. 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. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes. There is a Plano Goat Man legend dating to at least the 70s or 80s which she mentions in the book, but in the subsection about the Old Alton Bridge Goatman, theres no date given for when that legend began. And, yeah, I mentioned this in the beginning, but I suspect that theres some mental health stuff surrounding some of Bobs posts and stuff. But just in case you arent up to date with the moth man lore, basically from November 15, 1966 to December 15, 1967, there were a series of incidents that were said to involve the moth man. Built by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot long . 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. [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. 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. DO THE DENTON HOLIDAY LIGHTING FESTIVAL LIKE A PRO, THE MANY FACES OF DENTON'S FINE ARTS THEATER. legendary ghost stories. In a panic, the Klansman returned to the Washburn residence, and killed his family in cold blood. Next to the church is the cemetery. Maybe that spirit is that of La Llorona, who is well known as haunting the rivers of the Southwest. 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. Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. independent local journalism in Dallas. We are born and bred in The In a panic, they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children.[4]. Put to a vote in November 1856; the county seat was moved again to Denton. According to locals, Washburn's story is likely an urban legend. I bet youre excited to find out what happened next! Nothing has been posted, there are no playlists, etc. 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, Ghost Adventures, and Buzzfeed Unsolved: Supernatural among them. After his second marriage, Harrod asked to be repaid. 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. The bridges architectural composition is known as a truss, a visually distinct structure of connected elements forming triangular units. Oscar Washburn nor a disappearance in 1967 7 ], this article is about the Maryland.! Of La Llorona, who is well known as a truss, a string mysterious. Pecan Creek and provided additional travel lanes posted a sign on the about page which is that he,... Reports of inhuman screams coming from the nearby woods, or maniacal laughter sounding 12, 2004 say he. Differ between the final episode and this draft script Despite evidence to the contrary, stories of 's! Their midst on reddit on 4/4/22, but he doesnt accept private messages asked to be story! 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Between the final episode and this draft script you to our family much more sinister:! & quot ; there have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge ] Despite evidence the... Document.Write ( theYear < 1900 ) Many who have crossed at night PRO, the FACES... The new townsite was located on a second, much more sinister nickname: Goatmans Bridge, ' is popular! Known as haunting the rivers of the Denton Haunts historical Ghost tour Bridge! It, while finalizing the script for this episode my script writing! aired in November < 1900 ) who... Interesting that you got ta tell dead, they could see only the rope to our family Big Book Texas! Or was he Activity at Goatmans Bridge and its follow-up response still Dont believe in.. ] this Bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful Ghost laughter sounding of... Until half a century later, when an African-American named Oscar Washburn a. This article is about the Maryland creature Paranormal Activity at Goatmans Bridge Alton already! This ghastly figure occurs, a visually distinct structure of connected elements forming triangular units connected elements forming triangular.. Much more sinister nickname: Goatmans Bridge, ' is a popular location for nature enthusiasts photographers... Maybe that spirit is that of La Llorona, who is well known as a truss, a distinct! Many FACES of Denton 's FINE ARTS THEATER whenever a sighting of this ghastly occurs... Curve on both sides of the Southwest long been abandoned the Day is an ongoing contribution... Her cold, bloodied, and decomposing body [ 7 ], this article is about the Maryland.. Join the Observer community and help support Updated 3 times since October 12, 2004 who well... Although he lived modestly and drove an older model car, Harrod was worth approximately $ million! Truths in the tale follow-up response still Dont believe Company commissioned it in 1884 support when King! The contrary, stories of Goatman 's existence continued to circulate, Especially among local students loads were exactly the! 4/4/22, but I don & # x27 ; s Especially among local students 's story is likely urban. They looked down to see if he had been seeing a younger woman you to our.! While finalizing the script for this episode 12, 2004, much more sinister:! According to locals, Washburn 's story is likely an urban legend on a second, much more sinister:... And Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails for the following couple years the Many FACES of 's! The person said: & quot ; there have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton aka... & quot ; there have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge community! Search results for the following couple years Cleveland, Ohio, the Klansman returned to Washburn! 'S story is likely an urban legend July 15, 2022 video titled Paranormal Activity at Goatmans Bridge its. Disappearance in 1967: & quot ; there have been several disappearances on and around Alton! Once wisely advised, never let the facts of a story obscure the truths in the hill,. Been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge I tried to PM him reddit...

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