Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. 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 bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County.[2] This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost.
The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. Prior to the new bridge, it was necessary for motorists to signal with a car horn before crossing the single-lane span. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes.
With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988.
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.[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. 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 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. They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. When they looked down to see if he had died, the noose was empty. In a panic, they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children.[4]
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. 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.
^David Minor, "ALTON, TX (DENTON COUNTY) April 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine", Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
^ abNorth, Caroline (November 9, 2017). "Denton Urban Legend Put to the Test on Buzzfeed Web Series". Dallas Observer. from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
^Alton, Texas and Goatman’s Bridge November 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Legends of America
^. April 1, 2017. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
External links
Media related to Old Alton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons
February 16, 2024
alton, bridge, also, known, goatman, bridge, historic, iron, truss, bridge, connecting, texas, cities, denton, copper, canyon, built, 1884, king, iron, bridge, manufacturing, company, originally, carried, horses, later, automobiles, over, hickory, creek, locat. Old Alton Bridge also known as Goatman s Bridge is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon 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 bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County 2 This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost Old Alton BridgeU S National Register of Historic PlacesRecorded Texas Historic LandmarkOld Alton BridgeOld Alton BridgeShow map of TexasOld Alton BridgeShow map of the United StatesNearest cityCopper Canyon TexasCoordinates33 7 45 N 97 6 13 W 33 12917 N 97 10361 W 33 12917 97 10361Arealess than one acreBuilt1884 1884 ArchitectKing Iron amp Bridge Manufacturing Co Architectural stylePratt through truss bridgeNRHP reference No 88000979 1 RTHL No 16364Significant datesAdded to NRHPJuly 8 1988Designated RTHL2010The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete and steel bridge Prior to the new bridge it was necessary for motorists to signal with a car horn before crossing the single lane span The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes With vehicle traffic removed the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails Today it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8 1988 Contents 1 Ghostlore 2 Gallery 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksGhostloreLocally the bridge is known as Goatman s Bridge as it is said to be haunted by a half man half goat figure called Goatman 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 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 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 They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and after securing it around his neck threw him over the side When they looked down to see if he had died the noose was empty In a panic they returned to his family home and slaughtered his wife and children 4 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 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 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 3 Gallery nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp See also nbsp National Register of Historic Places portal nbsp Transport portal nbsp Engineering portalNational 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 TexasReferences National Register Information System 88000979 National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 David Minor ALTON TX DENTON COUNTY Archived April 27 2012 at the Wayback Machine Handbook of Texas Online Retrieved November 14 2010 a b North Caroline November 9 2017 Denton Urban Legend Put to the Test on Buzzfeed Web Series Dallas Observer Archived from the original on October 14 2019 Retrieved January 18 2018 Alton Texas and Goatman s Bridge Archived November 7 2017 at the Wayback Machine Legends of America Old Alton Bridge The Trails of Denton County April 1 2017 Archived from the original on April 1 2017 Retrieved June 21 2021 External links nbsp Media related to Old Alton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Old Alton Bridge amp oldid 1153674459, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
