. 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. In 2014, after Harrod's family had him declared legally dead and inherited his home, Heeter was evicted. Despite the warmth the community displays toward the bridge, another feeling altogether permeates the hot summer air when wandering down the Old Goatmans Bridge at dusk; a feeling of deep, almost primordial terror of what lurks beneath. Heavy loads were exactly what the bridge was intended to support when the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company commissioned it in 1884. Goatman's Bridge was built in 1884 to connect the towns of Alton and Denton. There are no definitive records of Washburn or Kendall, but as a Denton local said, that doesnt mean its not haunted.The bridge is seven miles south of Denton, if you ever get the urge to visit just keep your headlights on and dont knock on the bridge, unless you want to visit with the Goatman. I cannot fix what was done AGAIN. The hateful Klansman then went back to his home and killed the rest of his family. The show is currently off season, as Season 18 last aired in November. The name sounded familiar to me, so I texted one of two people who I went to high school with who Im still in touch with. 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. 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. I want to know what happened to my son." On February 19, following a community-wide search, Cathy's 1990 Toyota Corolla was found abandoned in the Placentia Linda Hospital parking lot. The Denton newspaper at the time did an article on a car found abandoned on the bridge." . KKK, Illustrated in Harpers Weekly, 1872. However, it wasnt so well-known for a long time. And what you guess it, both videos were posted on July 17 and there have been no new videos since then, which seems to be a pattern for Bob. 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. They also relive terrifying encounters and reflect on each discovery from a safer environment. November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. Texas Hill Country Facebook page is growing by over 1,000 fans per Road 2181), Denton, Texas. legendary ghost stories. In fact, the only residence that existed was that of a man named W.C. Baines, who established a farmstead long before the designation of the new county seat. There have been reports of abandoned cars with no sign of their occupants, vehicles breaking down or car doors locking and unlocking of their own accord, and some people have heard hoofbeats around the bridge. Also on March 4, 2022, he got into a few arguments with people about metaphysical topics. Hed had the account since 2018, but the only other visible thing that hed posted was something on a World of Warcraft subreddit. Apparently, in order to drum up business, Washburn hung a sign on the bridge reading: "This Way to the Goatman." The local KKK was not at all pleased. 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. We walked down one of the paths, and I swear something started chasing us! The comment also said that the car was a Mustang, because of course it was, and it says that there were lots of people that reported other missing persons linked to the Goatmans bridge and the Goat man with no additional detail. But its wild that those details have congealed into this almost monolithic urban legend nowadays. I would spend countless hours there and watched all this happen every night from the bridge. [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. 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. Washburn was never seen or heard from again or was he? 2023 Copyright Dallas Terrors. Often the growl will be accompanied by the words, "Get off my bridge!" Unfortunately, I wasnt able to watch the video that he posted, but I was able to read the video description on the Wayback Machine. Road 2181), Denton, Texas. havent been able to find mentions of Oscar Washburn prior to 2008. From 2008 to mid 2011, when you searched for Goatmans Bridge on here, only 1 result popped up and it was a video by-edit: leland- posted in 2008. this was in 2011 and although Old Alton Bridge has had a reputation for decades locally as an old bridge near some scenic hiking trails that some locals claim to have heard a noise once in the 80s or 90s or saw a weird light in the woods once while fishing, it was just that a place on Old Alton Rd thousands drive by daily that you once actually could drive over. Harrod was last seen at his residence in the 500 block of Carnation Drive Placentia, California sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on July 27, 2009. . 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. And sure enough, my friend was like, oh yeah, that person was my next-door neighbor when we were growing up, and were friends. They have also recorded the sound of horses hooves crossing the bridge, when there were no horses present and one investigator, walking with her German shepherd dog, has seen a horseman, dressed in dark clothing, galloping toward them, then disappearing, without leaving tracks on the path. As far as I can tell, it seems like he made a youtube video about the Old Alton Bridge, wanted to drive traffic to it by posting on reddit, but then for some reason decided to delete it. His case remains unsolved and is classified as a possible homicide. As a mentor once wisely advised, never let the facts of a story obscure the truths in the tale. Photo from ReneLibrary. Travelers say that if you cross the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman will meet you on the other side. 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. When Washburn posted a sign on the bridge that advertised this way to the Goatman, it angered local Klansman. [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. 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. However, the goatmans bridge is haunted. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988. 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. Visitors crossing the bridge at exactly three a.m. have reported horrific visions of fire and brimstone; those fortunate enough to return, that is. Many who have crossed at night. Around 2:30 p.m, his son in-law drove off to Home Depot to pick up supplies. The Denton newspaper at the time did an article on a car found abandoned on the bridge.. 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. 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. So, just to be clear: If you google this and find people mention the person who supposedly uploaded the video, that information is incorrect. Today, the Baptist Church and the Alton cemetery are all that remains of the Alton village. 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. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Return Policy, It didnt earn the Goatman title until half a century. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 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. 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. Goatman. Treat has written about numerous local places and personalities at his. One of the most famous local ghost stories though, and one of the more terrifying, is the legend of Goatman's Bridge. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 1988 and closed to vehicle traffic in 2001. The Goatman's Bridge. It is open only to pedestrians today. (Especially because I use dictation software for a lot of my script writing!) [2] This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost. Details of Disappearance. 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". More articles and blogs were being published online about the legendary Goatmans Bridge and they all said the same copy/pasted Legend along with some other ones mentioning of it being currently under surveillance by DAPS aka Denton Area Paranormal Society (never heard of or saw them the 1000s of days and nights I would spend obsessing over this place, but ok DAPS). The investigation led to some terrifying moments for the crew. 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. 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. Most of the time, county business was held at the Baines residence under the shade trees in his yard. Authorities don't believe Harrod was harmed by a stranger. Both the dog and I heard and saw him, but he disappeared as he made a turn under some bushes and didnt emerge on the other side. According to locals, Washburn's story is likely an urban legend. The Big Book of Texas Ghost Stories by Alan Brown, published in 2012, doesnt mention the Old Alton Bridge. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8iUdp33PqTsix2sGblEQZ8m5FQycC5DDoes a demonic entity . The bridge first served as a route for riders on horseback. The 33-year-old college graduate an accomplished traditional dancer with ancestry from three area tribes was last seen soon after, walking across a bridge near a place marked End of Road . [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. People DID trickle in most nights sporadically, ever few hours or so. The Old Alton Bridge's nickname, Goatman's Bridge, originated from at least two eerie local legends. The new townsite was located on a high ridge between Pecan Creek and Hickory Creek and was called Alton. In April 2019, two persons of interests were arrested in connection to Robert Harrod's disappearance. Their chance finally came that summer. 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. Ever since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge. The person said: There have been several disappearances on and around Old Alton Bridge. This attempt was more successful. There have been some idiots who go out there and dabble in what they think is satanism and try to summon things . The newly improved bridge solved this problem as well as straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek. [4], According to University of Maryland folklorist Barry Pearson, the Goatman legend began "long, long, long" ago and were further popularized in 1971 when the death of a dog was blamed on Goatman by local residents. 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. We are born and bred in The 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 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. A similar tale to Washburns predates the building of the bridge, in which a group of cowboys lynched a goatherder called Jack Kendall. Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. Put to a vote in November 1856; the county seat was moved again to Denton. 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. Although he lived modestly and drove an older model car, Harrod was worth approximately $5 million. This creature has large glowing red eyes, and large goat-like horns. Some people have seen a half-man, half-goat figure, similar to a satyr; this odd account of after-death transformation (if this is indeed the Goatman) bears some semblance to the tale of the Donkey Lady Bridge or La Llorona. Though it is called the Old Alton Bridge the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. 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. Goatman's Bridge is the common nickname for what's formally called Old Alton Bridge, an iron-truss span that once connected Denton, Texas, to Copper Canyon. 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. But, unfortunately, some did not welcome a successful black man within their midst. A rash of mysterious disappearances are becoming alarmingly routine on a chilling stretch of road that is known by locals as the Goatmans bridge., https://web.archive.org/web/20100617152737/http://www.goatmansbridge.com/, Weirdly, November 15th 1967 is exactly 1 month before the Silver Bridge collapsed in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. 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. Dentons most famous spectre is a story handed down for generations with a few variations, and thats the haunted Goatmans Bridge. Please treat the episode audio as the final product. 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. Later it accommodated automobiles as well. 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. 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. The location has already been featured on Ghost Adventures: Extra Pulses. If youre interested in the moth man at all, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse. Passing over any bridge as antiquated and creaky as the Old Alton, its normal to feel a little unsettled. Other than that, Bob made a twitter account in June and hes tweeted a lot about an invocation of Zalgo, which I guess is a creepypasta from 2004. 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. It hasnt been proofread, so please excuse typos. 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