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. 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. If youre really brave, go stand on the bridge and knock three times to meet the Goatman face to face. The main highway bypasses it now, but the 135-year-old structure is still visible from the main road. Thus, it earned the nickname Goatman's Bridge. When they looked down to see if he had died, the noose was empty. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You want me off this bridge you're gonna have to kill me. 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". 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. Often the growl will be accompanied by the words, Get off my bridge!. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. He says it in an exasperated way as they discuss the O.J. Today the bridge is only used for foot traffic, since a replacement bridge was constructed nearby. Shane and Ryan are discussing the Sam and Marilyn Sheppardcase when both are confused as to what a witness was doingawake and alert enough at 4:00 a.m. to be able to see someone running from the Sheppard's house. 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. Inone of the first episodes that sees the boys traveling, they've been warned not to directly interact with ghouls or demons. Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata. by Themeansar, Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Falcons to Songbirds; Choir Members Advance in All-State Choir Competition, Timber Creek Spring Testing: UPDATED ROOM ASSIGNMENTS, OPINION: Five Underrated Books You Should Add to Your 2023 Reading List. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988. They went to Oscars home and drug him out, away from his family, and onto the bridge. 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. Just went to goatman's bridge a few hours ago. 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. 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. 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. Offer subject to change without notice. [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. 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 terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups. 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. It's the Shane and Ryan . Halloween is upon NEXT: Top 10 Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural Episodes. I really hope you ended up talking about scientific notation or something to appease the ancient demon that is Shane. 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. According to one local police officer, nearby pet stores have stopped selling cats because there were so many cats found slaughtered in a ritualistic manner around the area. 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. Shane and Ryan's Bridge is a historic iron through-truss bridge connecting the cities of Denton, Texas and Copper Canyon, Texas. 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. No purchase necessary. Shane says it like it's normal and says that friends murdering each other is just the way of the world. The two hosts, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej, tried several methods to provoke the Goatman. 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. Some even believe that the bridge is haunted by evil spirits spawned by local occultists who have reportedly performed sacrificial rituals in the woods nearby. Plaques stating the bridge's historical landmark status and weight limit. For more than a century the bridge served the locals, initially carrying horses from one side to the other, and then eventually motor vehicles. Locals endearingly called him the Goatman. This is Shane's summary of taking an improv class right when he arrived because he wanted to meet people, but it'sprobably safe to say he didn't make too many connections there. However, given the condition of remains, the deaths may more likely have been the result of passing trains. The Goatmans Bridge is my least favorite story, said Shelly Tucker, who wrote the book Ghosts of Denton and leads local tours around Denton. It's simple, short, sweet, and hopefully effective instopping all serial killers. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Terrifying Legend Behind Goatmans Bridge And The Half-Goat Demon Said To Haunt It. The Buzzfeed Unsolvedseries has two focuses on true crime and supernatural, and while both can certainly be terrifying, they're both also hilarious due to the two hosts Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara. Kat McDonald-Wilson is a senior at TCHS. You wont find the names of Oscar Washburn or Jack Kendall in any historical records. He is the master of the bridge, possessed by a demon from another realm. 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. Johnny Blunt/Google The area around Governor Bridge is certainly creepy enough that one could envision a Goatman skulking about among the trees. Let's revisit some of the funniest quotes from Shane from the series so far, get ready to laugh Buckaroos! Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. But thrill-seekers still frequent Goatmans Bridge by foot to explore the legends that emerged after its construction. 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. Learn more | Now that youve learned about the scary legend of Goatmans Bridge, go inside the mystery of the Overtoun Bridge, Scotlands dog suicide hotspot. 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. Arguably the funniest and most quotable line from theseries shows Shane's approach to ghost and demon hunting very early on. In one of the first episodes that see Shane and Ryan travel to supernaturally haunted locations, Shane throws out this line. This isn't the Old Alton Bridge any longer. 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. High-quality Buzzfeed Unsolved Goatmans Bridge Wall Art designed and sold by artists. In a panic, they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children. The series that they started on YouTube gave . [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. The bridge was originally named after the old Texas village of Alton which shuttered in the 1850s. total lack of respect for all the ghosts and demons the duo face up against. Today, the bridge is no longer fit for vehicle crossings. contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the, historical ghost tour. 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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. If youre brave, you can drive up to the bridge and honk your car horn twice at midnight. [1] [2] Learn how your comment data is processed. Learn how your comment data is processed. You're going to have to throw me off this bridge yourself! We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Torture and Murder of Kelly Anne Bates, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon, Practicing Cannibalism | The Scare Chamber, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon | The Scare Chamber, David Parker Ray and his Toy Box of Torture, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Goatmans Bridge has been the subject of investigations on popular supernatural shows like Buzzfeed Unsolved: Supernatural and Ghost Adventures. This isnt the Old Alton Bridge any longer. 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. Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Many believe a demonic entity with the head of a goat haunts the bridge. The quaint area also included the Hickory Creek Baptist Church, the Alton cemetery, a saloon, and a school. They're gonna put my name in graffiti. 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. Because of the alleged goat-demon that haunts it, Goatmans bridge is a popular location for thrill-seekers and photographers. You will see the Goatmans glowing red eyes on the bridge. 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. I'm dancing on your bridge! Feeling they were robbed, the Klansmen returned to the Washburn home and killed Oscars wife and children. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. Old Alton Bridge, AKA Goatman's Bridge, in the daylight. Do you believe the Goatmans bridge could be haunted? Ryan is immediately terrified at any notion of a ghoul or demon. Many believe a demonic entity with the head of a goat haunts the bridge. 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. The paranormal Youtube show Buzzfeed Unsolveddid an episode on the legend of Goatmans Bridge in 2017. In the 1930s, an African-American man named Oscar Washburn settled with his family near the bridge. Most ghosts are given names because we need to feel like we can know them. RELATED: 10 Scariest Buzzfeed UnsolvedTrue Crime Episodes. Additionally numerous cars have been found near the bridge, their occupants missing without a trace. Shane absolutely ripping the titular demon in "The Demonic Goatman's Bridge" and actively challenging the Goatman to kill him, to no result. If youre looking to scope out a spooky spot during the Halloween season, Old Alton Bridge just might be the place to be. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. It has been reported that whenever a traveler would cross the bridge at night with their headlights off, they would meet the Goatman on the other side. Director Ryan Bergara Stars Ryan Bergara Shane Madej See production, box office & company info _benhurlburt_/InstagramThe Old Alton Bridge is allegedly haunted by a half-goat demon, which has earned it the nickname Goatmans Bridge.. It's my bridge now! Donate. Did I capture any paranormal activity. While Shane is completely unphased and feels the need to poke fun at his friend. One of the two hosts of Buzzfeed Unsolved, Shane Madej makes the show great with his witty banter and sense of humor. The interaction sums up both of their demeanors on the show pretty well. Every few years, someone claims to have caught an image of Goatman wandering around the side of the road or in the woods. One of the most famous local ghost stories though, and one of the more terrifying, is the legend of Goatman's Bridge. 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. Wikimedia CommonsThe Goatmans Bridge connects the area of Denton with Copper Canyon. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Ryan and Shane's bridge is a so called haunted bridge. 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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. No, this bridge is home to a demon known as the Goatman.. 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. Everything was shuttered, leaving only the church and cemetery in place. I can't be the only one who thinks an animated show in the vein of Gravity Falls and X-Files featuring these two would be dope.Audio i. However, descriptions differed on whether Goatman greater resembled a hairy humanoid or a human with the lower portion of a goat similar to the fauns of Greek mythology. People always ask about it. Shane Madej tends to serve up deadpan and outrageous humor as he continually taunts any possible ghouls or demons dwelling at haunted locations or teasing his co-host Ryan. [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. Wikimedia CommonsBecause of the alleged goat-demon that haunts it, Goatmans bridge is a popular location for thrill-seekers and photographers. After Washburns body disappeared, the Klansmen are alleged to have returned to his home and murdered the rest of his family. One of these figures is a man herding goats, another is an apparition holding a goat head underneath each arm. Oct 3, 2019 Old Alton Bridge was built to connect Denton, Texas to the town of Alton, Texas. A master plumber has turned his love of art and toilets into a folk museum that's not taking the piss. The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. You hear that? Visitors hear hooves beating across the bridge, splashing in the creek below, maniacal laughter, and an inhuman growl that emanates from the woods. The Story Of 'Vasa,' The Epic 17th-Century Swedish Warship That Sank 20 Minutes After Launch, This French Woman Has Been Fighting A Three-Year Battle To Prove She's Not Dead, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, The Old Alton Bridge is allegedly haunted by a half-goat demon, which has earned it the nickname Goatmans Bridge.. The Denton County location is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Oscar Washburn, or "Goatman," who was believed to be a former . "We're here for the cult stuff! The bridge's Goatman is said to have glowing eyes and horns. DO THE DENTON HOLIDAY LIGHTING FESTIVAL LIKE A PRO, THE MANY FACES OF DENTON'S FINE ARTS THEATER. 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. [1] Despite evidence to the contrary, stories of Goatman's existence continued to circulate, especially among local students. Its my bridge now! and Theyre gonna put my name in graffiti! Oscar was a goat farmer, and it wasnt long before the locals began to refer to him as the Goatman., His business was successful, and that angered many people in the area. Library of Congress/Historic American Engineering Record Shop affordable wall art to hang in dorms, bedrooms, offices, or anywhere blank walls aren't welcome. 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. He threatens to take the bridge for him and Ryanif Goatmandoesn'tshow up to fight him for it. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes. If you are reporting graffiti, please contact the Graffiti Removal Hotline at 714-573-3111. 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. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Shop unique custom made Canvas Prints, Framed Prints, Posters, Tapestries, and more. There are a few stories about how the bridge got its nickname, however the most popular one is the story of Oscar Washburn. A fan animatic I made. Alton was later abandoned after its county seat was moved to the neighboring town of Denton at the end of the 1850s. WATCH RELATED VIDEO: Empire Zoysia Turf - QLD's Michael Hagan Shows How To Look After Your Empire Lawn. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. This pentagram is formed by ancient Ley Lines or Solstice Lines of Energy that cover North America. It's one of the most iconic quotes of the series and deserves its spot at the top. This really does look like the bridge from quiet place where the poor little kid is killed. The Demonic Goatman's Bridge Episode aired Nov 3, 2017 22 m IMDb RATING 8.6 /10 78 YOUR RATING Rate Adventure Comedy Horror Does a demonic entity actually reside near Alton Bridge in Texas? Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Naturally, none of the ghost stories surrounding the bridge are based on any specific historical facts. Find schedule and make requests by clicking here! 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. 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. Simpson case and how a serial killer claimed he had killed them. He was popular in the community for being an honest businessman and producing quality goods. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. In this version, an experiment on goats backfires and the scientist mutates into a half man, half goat creature who begins aggressively attacking cars in the vicinity of Beltsville, Maryland. Alternate versions of the ghost story have also circulated, including one that suggests the bridge is actually haunted by the Goatmans wife. Since that fateful night, strange things began to happen on and around the bridge. 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 " 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. He is the master of the bridge, possessed by a demon from another realm. Shane: Goatman! Many who have crossed at night have. The Old Alton Bridge's nickname, Goatman's Bridge, originated from at least two eerie local legends. Another story is that satanists performed rituals on the bridge,. 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. Could this be the spirit of La Llorona? 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 [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.