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. Built in 1884, the single-lane bridge saw service . Signage for Old Alton bridge. The bridge was initially a toll bridge.[3]. Records show that the Old Alton Bridge was constructed with a kit fromthe King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Company in Ohio, a major supplier of bridges throughout Texas and North America. November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. Old Alton Bridge, where Lermont's body was found, carries its own mythos. Theres no way his body is in there, and 16 hours later you say his body's here," Jones said. _benhurlburt_/InstagramThe Old Alton Bridge is allegedly haunted by a half-goat demon, which has earned it the nickname Goatmans Bridge.. Signage for Old Alton bridge. Photo by Ron CC BY 2.0. He's no longer here, but he needs justice., Got a tip? Another version of Washburns legend posits that it is actually his wife who haunts the old structure. Error! Low around 65F. Alton was later abandoned after its county seat was moved to the neighboring town of Denton at the end of the 1850s. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It was closed to car traffic and is open only to pedestrians today. However, water shortages forced politicians to move two years later, in 1848. A boy in his late teens was found dead Tuesday afternoon in a creek near the Old Alton Bridge. document.write(theYear) Before the bridge became a magnet for ghost hunters, it was simply known as Old Alton Bridge. , 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. per adult (price varies by group size) Half-Day Best of Fort Worth Historical Tour with Transportation from Dallas. Every Wednesday morning, get the week's top crime stories in Denton from the Blotter in your inbox. The bridge was built in 1884, by the King Iron Manufacturing Bridge Company. When can my son have justice?" Jones and Stowers are scheduled to meet with Denton County NAACP officials this Tuesday about the death and any follow-up local authorities are taking. The Denton High School senior was found dead in the water near Old Alton Bridge on Tuesday. But in my research, I've discovered that everything may not be as it seems at the Old Alton Bridge . A public viewing is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. The Denton County location is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Oscar Washburn, or "Goatman," who was believed to be a former . The legend says that if you go to the bridge and honk your car horn twice at midnight, the ghosts fiery red eyes will appear on the bridge., Old Alton Bridge. Though it is called the Old Alton Bridge the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. 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. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Closed for major repairs in 1959 and 1975. 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. Amplifying their grief, the family learned that at least one person who was with Stowers-Jones when he reportedly jumped into the creek fled the scene when Stowers-Jones sunk below the surface of Hickory Creek. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Join the Observer community and help support DALTON LAFERNEY can be reached at 940-566-6882 and via Twitter at @daltonlaferney. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is the official blog of the Denton County Office of History and Culture. The Old Alton Bridge south of Denton looks peaceful enough in the daylight, but after sunset the spirits come out to claim their lost ground. The bridges spooky reputation has since attracted amateur sleuths and paranormal investigators alike. The stories have grown so persistent that TV crews have showed up, including one from Buzzfeed and another from Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. Built by the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the 145-foot-long bridge would serve until 2001, when it was replaced by a modern, shiny concrete-and-steel bridge and a new road. The bridge has become an unconventional tourist attraction due to its haunted reputation. Also haunted, Goatman's Bridge in Denton. Why It's Scary: Extremely tall height. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Don't forget him. Numerous reports tell of unholy glowing eyes that burn red from the darkness, eerie glimpses of a large snarling Goat-headed man-beast stomping in the wooded shadows, or a frightening apparition of a maniacal Satyr carrying the heads of goats or humans in his hands. We have this family whose child is dead, and they still years later do not have full transparency and answers as to why, Luther Rummel said. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. 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. Photo from ReneLibrary. According to local lore, this demonic presence was brought to the bridge by the ghost of a Black goat farmer who was brutally lynched by the Ku Klux Klan there. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. The next day, Jones says he was coming home from his daughters basketball game when he got a call from the Denton Police Department. Denton County itself was formed in 1846, and the first attempt at settling the county seat was Pinckneyville (named for the Texas governor). The trouble with these sources is that there is no historical record of such a lynching. There was an error processing your request. Haunted or not, the century-old bridge remains a popular site, even for those who are looking to take some peaceful photographs. Charlton K. Merchant, 30, of Alton is set to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. April 14 by Circuit Judge Kyle Napp. Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. "Something's not right with that picture.. He reportedly jumped into the creek from Old Alton Bridge on Nov. 19. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. He says he told Mont to call him once he got done, but Jones never got that call. After they found the teen in Hickory Creek just after noon Tuesday, a team of emergency workers convened his parents, mother Amy Stowers and father Lermon Jones, in the 3800 block of Old Alton Road on Tuesday to identify a body. Make sure you're prepared with the Denton Record-Chronicle's coverage of Denton County's key races, and the candidates in the running for them. (LogOut/ 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. You have permission to edit this article. The first time someone reported something strange on Old Alton Bridge was 1938. Receive information from our advertisers or special DR-C offers. Invalid password or account does not exist. Thats just not him.. The bridge was initially a toll bridge. Jones said Mont "did real good in life" and was an organist for his church. Detail view of highway bridge, showing railroad bridge and lock and dam in background, looking northeast (upstream). It now serves as part of a horse and hiking trail enjoyed by many as well as a popular siteresidents flock to around Halloween. This is a very popular area for hiking, horseback riding, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. While we cant confirm theurban legend of theGoat Man, there is no doubt that tales of the hauntings have spread across Texas. High 74F. But thrill-seekers still frequent Goatmans Bridge by foot to explore the legends that emerged after its construction. Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch, virtual remembrance and fundraising event. Photo by Pixelsyndicate CC BY-SA 4.0. Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Location: Texas, United States. The Old Alton Bridge, where Monts body was found, has a divisive past. us, which seems the perfect opportunity to revisit one of Dentons most 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. One of the most famous local ghost stories though, and one of the more terrifying, is the legend of Goatman's Bridge. There have also been reports of visitors seeing the Goat Mans shadow holding two goat heads in his arms, sightings of his ghost herding phantom goats across the bridge, and appearances of a half-goat half-man. Windy this evening. Quick Description: Texas Historical Marker commemorating the Old Alton Bridge, one of the few surviving reminders of Alton, TX, which was the county seat before Denton took on that role. Error! Receive information from our advertisers or special DR-C offers. They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. . In-between the failed settlement and Denton County is an old iron bridge called "Old Alton Bridge" a bridge that would earn a twisted nickname more than a half a century later. But there were likely cases of lynchings that went unreported during the violent era of Jim Crow in the area. per adult. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Road trippers weary of tall heights may not enjoy crossing this bridge; Despite its nerve-wracking nature, this incredible bridge . [3], Media related to Old Alton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons. It was constructed beginning in 1927, was replaced by the Clark Bridge and was demolished in 1994. Ashley N. Bottoms, 34, of Carlinville was charged with manslaughter and endangering the life of a child causing death in connection with the death of Hunter Lee Drew. It can be. Nonetheless, in 1884 an iron bridge was built over Hickory Creek on Copper Canyon Road, south of the old townsite. When they looked down to see if he had died, the noose was empty. Travelers also claim spooky happenings of car doors locking and unlocking, mysterious laughter, growls, and hoof beats, and even a horrible, unexplained smell. 40. 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. There is also another variation that predates the bridge itself. We cant say for sure if its haunted, but you are welcome to visit and check out this historic landmark for yourself. Nancy Bilyeau, a former staff editor at *Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone*, and *InStyle*, has written a trilogy of historical thrillers for Touchstone Books. of all manners. theYear=now.getYear() dalton.laferney@dentonrc.com, By Juan Betancourt This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Theres no way he would have been in that area, Jones said. The bridge was named similarly to the town and the cemetery, and was named the Old Alton Bridge. Washburn was never seen again, they say, but a vengeful spirit has haunted the Old Alton Bridge ever since. Visitors swear that there is something supernatural about the bridge, and the structure has consequently been featured in a number of paranormal investigation shows including the popular series Ghost Adventures. There have even been accounts of people being attacked by the alleged half-goat demon. The simple yet sturdy bridge allowed developers to carry horses and automobiles across the river. After Washburns body disappeared, the Klansmen are alleged to have returned to his home and murdered the rest of his family. This article about a bridge in Missouri is a stub. . If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. The Old Alton Bridge, also know as Goatman's Bridge, is one of the most haunted bridges in Texas that will send chills up your spine. KERA News Weekday Update Newsletter Signup, A Denton Activist's Decades Of Protest Against A Confederate Monument Pay Off, Voters will soon decide whether Denton's future includes decriminalizing marijuana, Dallas was shaped by racism. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Lermont Stowers-Jones did not come home last Monday night, his family left with questions on the week of Thanksgiving. Jones said a coroner told him and his family it would be between two weeks and two months of waiting before the autopsy results are complete. (LogOut/ Copyright 2008 - Staff Writer But when the county seat moved farther away, Alton petered out again. The county's oldest remaining Pratt-truss iron bridge, Old Alton Bridge was built in 1884 over Hickory Creek at Copper Canyon Road and that's where it remains today. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Dentons most famous spectre is a story handed down for generations with a few variations, and thats the haunted Goatmans Bridge. Join the discussion on our new social platform Texjas.com! The bridge has also been investigated for paranormal activity by multiple groups, including the Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomenon. Today, the Baptist Church and the Alton cemetery are all that remains of the Alton village. juan.betancourt@dentonrc.com. Low around 65F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. That road is known by locals as "The Goatman's Bridge." What's interesting is the back story of Goatman's bridge. It was constructed beginning in 1927, was replaced by the Clark Bridge and was demolished in 1994. Lifelong Denton resident Zarian Boone went to school with Mont. The legend behind Old Alton Bridge has only amplified familial fears that Lermont's death might have been racially motivated. It was not exactly a metropolis. On a dark night in the late 1930s, a lynch mob of Kluxers stormed Washburns shack and dragged the screaming Goatman to their noose waiting on the bridge, tightened the rope around the begging Oscars neck, then mercilessly flung him over the side. KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. Made from 1,257 wood planks and 4,100 steel cables, America's highest suspension bridge sits 956 feet over the Arkansas River. It was Mont, but his parents were confounded as to how he got there. At least one witness claims that their friend was pulled off the bridge by an unknown entity. In the 1930s, Oscar Washburn was a successful goat farmer. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. 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. According to Tuckers research into Dentons local lore, there was no person named Oscar Washburn living in the area around the time of his alleged murder, nor were there any reports of lynching. Every Wednesday morning, get the week's top crime stories in Denton from the Blotter in your inbox. We also run the premiere real-estate site in the hill country at HillCountryRealestate.com. The Goatmans Bridge is my least favorite story, said Shelly Tucker, who wrote the book Ghosts of Denton and leads local tours around Denton. Dont forget him. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Windy this evening. Travelers say that if you cross the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman will meet you on the other side. DALTON LAFERNEY can be reached at 940-566-6882 and via Twitter at @dalton laferney. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The travel site trailsofdentoncounty says, While the true history of the bridge is interesting, it has also gained a reputation as a haunted place for as long as local residents can remember, always being the spot that kids would flock to on Halloween night in hopes of capturing a glimpse of a ghost who traversed the area late at night. 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. The terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups. bcolombo@dentonrc.com, Woman dead, child in critical condition after wreck on West University, Report: Denton police arrest suspected drug distributor after finding scales, cash, drugs inside his car, Police: Fry Street bar owner arrested after being intoxicated inside his business, Trial date set for Sanger woman accused of murdering her husband, By Amber Gaudet A search party including authorities from the Argyle Fire District, Denton and Lewisville fire departments, Flower Mound Emergency Management, the Denton County Sheriffs Office and state game wardens looked for him in the water Monday while the sun was up and on Tuesday until about 12:15 p.m., when an underwater drone located Stowers-Jones body. A tragic turn of events led to Monts death in 2018. Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. The Goatmans Bridge connects the area of Denton with Copper Canyon. Old Alton Bridge was built in 1884, and is Denton Countys oldest remaining Pratt-truss iron bridge. On the line was news that his sons body had been found. Jones had dropped off his son at the Denton County Courts Building. The last time his family saw Mont was around the same time the authorities said they received the initial 911 call Monday. Washburn was never seen or heard from again or was he? Nicolas Henderson/Flickr. Staff Writer The curious come to hear the noises. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. , has a divisive past price varies by group size ) Half-Day Best of Fort Worth historical Tour Transportation... Unreported during the violent era of Jim Crow in the area of Denton Texas... 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