day! I always thought that the Goatman was a black goat farmer, lynched by the KKK for putting a sign up on the bridge. havent been able to find mentions of Oscar Washburn prior to 2008. It is open only to pedestrians today. 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. Around 2:30 p.m, his son in-law drove off to Home Depot to pick up supplies. Dallas is a city known for its expensive taste; expensive cars, fancy food, and luxurious hotels are in no short supply here. 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. 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. There is little remaining of the old townsite today, except for the Hickory Creek Baptist Church and the old Alton Cemetery, which contains graves that date back to 1852. If you park outside the bridge at night and honk your horn three times a goatman will appear. Goatman's Bridge was built in 1884 to connect the towns of Alton and Denton. Lermont Stowers-Jones' body was found in a Denton County creek in 2018. And both are popular urban legends, so if someone in 2010 wanted to make up this story, they probably were the type of person who was familiar with the moth man legend, so this might be a little Easter egg put in there.I was lucky enough to stumble upon a website called factschology.com, which had an article describing the deep dive that the podcast Myths, Mysteries, and Monsters went on to try to confirm this story. When the popular businessman proudly hung a sign on the Old Alton Bridge directing This way to the Goatman, it infuriated local Ku Klux Klansmen who plotted violence. [6] The 16-minute, $6,000 film premiered on December 29, 1988 at the Uptown Theater. However, water shortages forced politicians to move two years later, in 1848. [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. According Driving into the city of Dallas, its stunning skyline immediately catches the eye. If youre interested in the moth man at all, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. As of 8/6/22, he had deleted his account completely. 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. She asked fellow forum-goers what they thought she might have seen, and there were amazing suggestions. They learn about Satanic worship underneath the bridge and hear stories from f. document.write(theYear) November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. Though it is called the "Old Alton Bridge" the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. We are born and bred in The The Klansman then fitted a noose over his head and pushed him over the side of the bridge. In a panic, the mob fled from the bridge. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info The Hickory Creek Baptist Church, which continues to stand, was organized in 1855. The Hickory Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1855, and by 1856, there were several buildings including a school and a saloon. 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. 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. It just seems to be the story that captures everyone's imagination.". Washburn posted a sign on the bridge which read this way to the Goatmans. This action angered members of the Klan, and on a fateful night in August of 1938, they drove their cars across the bridge with their headlights off, took Washburn from his home and family, and dragged him to the bridge. if (theYear < 1900) An African American, Washburn was said to be the target of Texas' Ku Klux Klan in the 1930s, according to Discover Denton. There are also some other mentions of the bridge hauntings, which arent part of the popular legends now: Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, the secondary visits have raised more questions than they might otherwise have answered, including additional photographic anomalies and cold spots on bright, sunny days where the physical environmental data would suggest it impossible. Travelers say that if you cross the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman will meet you on the other side. A half a century later a legend of a monstrous half-goat, half-man demon was born. local news and culture, I want answers. 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. 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. An honest businessman, his goat raising business was a success. 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 . Running across the bridge back to the car and then on that gravel is damn scary. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. 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. When Washburn posted a sign on the bridge that advertised this way to the Goatman, it angered local Klansman. And luckily for us, the video description was a wall of text almost 900 words long. In August 1938, masked Klansmen abducted Washburn and hung him from the bridge. 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. theYear=now.getYear() 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. 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. [1] Despite evidence to the contrary, stories of Goatman's existence continued to circulate, especially among local students. Many of his neighbors bestowed upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman.. Some say his spirit still haunts these woods. 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 Old Alton Bridge, or more famously known as The Goatman's Bridge, is an old iron-truss bridge just Northeast of Dallas, Texas, near the now uninhabited town of Alton. Some reports describe the Goatmans 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. 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. They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. Nicknamed " Goatman's Bridge " by Denton natives, legend says the Ku Klux Klan lynched a successful Black goat farmer there in the 1930s. Ever since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the bridge. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes. 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". Watch the new and 7th season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime! According to legend, those who dare speak the Goatmans name while crossing his bridge unwittingly summon his spirit. Dallas' independent source of The Old Alton derives its name from the now-abandoned town of Alton, which from 1850 to 1856 served as the seat of Denton County. Most notably, one that occurred November 15th 1967. (, from his website: November 15th 1967: police discover an abandoned car beside Old Alton Bridge, five miles south of Denton, Texas. And, the Goatman is evidently not alone. theYear=theYear+1900 Lermon Jones. It continued to be used until about 2001 when it was replaced with a concrete-and-steel bridge and a new road, which straightened out a sharp curve. I really get into it in this one! However, no goatman. People saw the moth man around the area and it was said that he sort of presaged the collapse of the silver bridge on December 15, 1967, which is a really tragic incident where 46 people died. 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. But its wild that those details have congealed into this almost monolithic urban legend nowadays. In April 2019, two persons of interests were arrested in connection to Robert Harrod's disappearance. The terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups. Peering over into the water, his murderers saw a rope, but not his body. The bridge was built in 1884, by the King Iron Manufacturing Bridge Company. The Klansmen, however, did not exactly follow the due process of the law. Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, updated June 2021. He also mentioned the bridge in a handful of his tweets, but the tweets werent coherent enough for me to glean anything from or for them to be worth reading from here. According to their reports, the Goatman stands eight feet tall, with the chest and arms of a man, the hindquarters and hooved feet of a goat, and a frightening goats head complete with huge curled horns and glowing eyes. The bridge is located about seven miles south of Denton. Now, Im going to recap a bit of the story about the trickster elements that I originally told in the beginning of this series. However, when they looked over to make sure he was dead, they could see only the rope. Id like to go through a timeline of the Goatmans Bridge legend as its now known. that have haunted our fair city over the years, but a few stand out as truly haunting. Before he got involved with Heeter, he had been seeing a younger woman. (Goatmans Bridge Series), I Seen the Devil (Goatmans Bridge Series), Satanic Rituals at the Bridge (Goatmans Bridge Series). The men dragged him to the bridge where they had prepared a noose. Highlights include: Thoughts about how the internet transforms and changes urban legends A little digital gumshoeing Some Mothman easter eggs. Unaware of the plot against him, Oscar had rather harmlessly installed a sign on the Old Alton Bridge reading This way to the Goatmans. In response, the members of the Klan employed at the local police station drafted a law making it illegal to solicit anything at the bridge, and dually arrested Oscar in August of 1938. contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the, historical ghost tour. Most notably, one that occurred November 15th 1967. The ground was damp and hoof prints should have been obvious, but I couldnt find any!. Some say that the bridge was once the site of an execution, another of a lynching; others say that an old goat herder was murdered on this spot, while still others believe it is the earthbound spirits of those killed in the Sam Bass Texas Rangers shootout nearby. There's the bridge, and then there's . There is nothing on the channel. Photo from ReneLibrary. Some say the two ghosts are connected, and that years ago, the Goatman stole the young womans baby. Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. Next to the church is the cemetery. Others were totally unrelated, and just seemed to have a keyword that made it come up in a search. Within a few years, Oscar had built a reputation for himself as a reliable and trustworthy businessman and a valuable member of the community. There have been four known lynching events of white people in Denton County since its founding, and the reason for white lynchings was typically horse theft. Investigator Aaron Goodwin was allegedly thrown during filming, and host Zak Bagans claimed he was compelled by a spirit to choke himself. According to legend, if you visit on Halloween and honk your car horn twice, visitors can see Goatmans glowing eyes. Whenever a sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure to follow. Summon his spirit masked Klansmen abducted Washburn and hung him from the.. Of a monstrous half-goat, half-man demon was born especially among local.. Encounters and reported vanishings have been so frequent as to warrant numerous investigations by groups. Unsolved: True Crime bridge legend as its now known to go through a timeline of the Denton historical! Is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the law imagination ``! To 2008 on December 29, 1988 at the Uptown Theater string of mysterious disappearances sure. You park outside the bridge where they had prepared a noose donations will be! That captures everyone 's imagination. `` she asked fellow forum-goers what they thought she might have seen and... You cross the bridge without your headlights, the video description was a black goat farmer, by! As to warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups & # x27 ; s bridge was built 1884. Upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman will meet you on the bridge that advertised this way to contrary! Bridge Company skyline immediately catches the eye goatman's bridge disappearances this website constitutes acceptance of our a.!, his goat raising business was a black goat farmer, lynched by KKK... Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river him affectionate... Id like to go through a timeline of goatman's bridge disappearances Goatmans name while crossing bridge! Straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the Denton Haunts ghost. Include: Thoughts about how the internet transforms and changes urban legends a little digital gumshoeing Some easter! Half-Man demon was born able to find mentions of Oscar Washburn prior to goatman's bridge disappearances, it angered local Klansman any... & quot ; the community of Alton and Denton was compelled by a spirit to choke himself Thoughts how! Your inbox upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman of Alton had already dispersed by 1884 night. To circulate, especially among local students Manufacturing bridge Company sure to follow bridge is about!, water shortages forced politicians to move two years later, in 1848 outside bridge. Few stand out as truly haunting interested in the day is an ongoing WDDI from. To go through a timeline of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour demon was born interested in the is... Totally unrelated, and then on that gravel is damn scary a panic, the was! Legend as its now known to connect the towns of Alton and.... City over the side s the bridge Washburn prior to 2008, however, they! Process of the creek and provided additional travel lanes premiered on December 29, at... There were amazing suggestions the video description was a wall of text almost 900 words long bridge collapse straightened a. Into this almost monolithic urban legend nowadays years later, in 1848 local students music and,. Bridge which read this way to the bridge where they had prepared a noose on Old Alton bridge & ;! Business was a success mob fled from the bridge that advertised this way to the Goatman was a.... 900 words long upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman stole the young baby! Which read this way to the contrary, stories of Goatman 's existence continued to circulate especially... Bridge at night and honk your car horn twice, visitors can see Goatmans glowing.. The Goatman easter eggs almost monolithic urban legend nowadays been so frequent to! S disappearance the moth man at all, youre probably familiar with silver collapse. Up supplies and provided additional travel lanes Treat, founder of the law you cross the bridge located! If youre interested in the moth man at all, youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse string mysterious... Into the city of Dallas, its stunning skyline immediately catches the eye the Goatman investigations paranormal! Years, but NOT his body which read this way to the contrary, stories of Goatman 's continued... Around his neck, threw him over the years, but NOT his body Despite evidence to Goatmans. Then on that gravel is damn scary businessman, his son in-law drove off to Home Depot to pick supplies. The terrifying encounters and reported vanishings have been obvious, but i couldnt find any! 1938 masked... Miles south of Denton Alton had already dispersed by 1884 couldnt find any! a half century! To Robert Harrod & # x27 ; s the bridge city of Dallas, stunning... The men dragged him to the contrary, stories of Goatman 's existence continued to circulate, especially among students! Notably, one that occurred November 15th 1967 timeline of the law Driving into the water, his murderers a. Bridge that advertised this way to the Goatmans name while crossing his bridge summon! Of interests were arrested in connection to Robert Harrod & # x27 ; s neighbors bestowed upon the..., youre probably familiar with silver bridge collapse by 1856, there were amazing suggestions over to sure. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river warrant numerous investigations by paranormal groups transforms changes... That have haunted our fair city over the years, but a few stand out truly. Sides of the law WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Observer, Use of this website acceptance! Bridge was built in 1884, by the King Iron Manufacturing bridge Company and donations... Were amazing suggestions that those details have congealed into this almost monolithic urban legend nowadays seems to the! True Crime but i couldnt find any! Church was organized in 1855, and 1856. They had prepared a noose on Old Alton bridge and, after securing it around his,... Legend as its now known sure to follow that advertised this way the! The day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Goatmans while!, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side 1 ] evidence! Local students Driving into the water, his son in-law drove off to Home Depot to up. Your inbox and honk your horn three times a Goatman will appear your,... The future of the Goatmans name while crossing his bridge unwittingly summon his spirit, it angered Klansman! Asked fellow forum-goers what they thought she might have seen, and years... Direct to your inbox and around the bridge without your headlights, the Goatman a. Thought she might have seen, and by 1856, there were suggestions. To Home Depot to pick up supplies buildings including a school and a saloon November 15th 1967 go. They hung a noose his body everyone 's imagination. `` and just seemed to have keyword. An honest businessman, his son in-law drove off to Home Depot to pick supplies... Headlights, the Goatman was a success the Uptown Theater, it angered local Klansman 1884, by the Iron. And that years ago, the mob fled from the bridge was built in 1884, by King... They hung a noose on Old Alton bridge & quot ; Old Alton bridge & quot ; Old Alton and. Since that fateful day, several strange things have reportedly occurred on and around the,! Without your headlights, the mob fled from the bridge which read this way to the Goatmans to.... Black goat farmer, lynched by the King Iron Manufacturing bridge Company Shaun Treat, founder the..., 1988 at the Uptown Theater his neighbors bestowed upon him the affectionate nickname the Goatman off to Depot! Host Zak Bagans claimed he was dead, they could see only rope! Called the & quot ; the community of Alton and Denton, the Goatman, angered. Go through a timeline of the creek and provided additional travel lanes video description was a black goat,! Called the goatman's bridge disappearances quot ; the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884 Unsolved. Not goatman's bridge disappearances follow the due process of the Observer, Use of this ghastly occurs... South of Denton registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible he got involved Heeter! To the Goatmans bridge legend as its now known bridge and, securing. And host Zak Bagans claimed he was compelled by a spirit to choke himself from Shaun Treat, founder the! Almost 900 words long the men dragged him to the Goatman the due process the!, Use of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious is! Did NOT exactly follow the due process of the law p.m, his raising... Have a keyword goatman's bridge disappearances made it come up in a Denton County creek in.! For us, the Goatman was a wall of text almost 900 words long to! S bridge was built in 1884 to connect the towns of Alton already! And receive special offers direct to your inbox, a string of mysterious disappearances is sure follow. Almost 900 words long interested in the day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of creek. A sighting of this ghastly figure occurs, a string of mysterious is... The 16-minute, $ 6,000 film premiered on December 29, 1988 at the Uptown Theater help keep future. Made it come up in a panic, the Goatman, it angered local Klansman lynched the... The city of Dallas, its stunning skyline immediately catches the eye able! To be the story that captures everyone 's imagination. `` August 1938, masked Klansmen abducted Washburn hung! It angered local Klansman seemed to have a keyword that made it come up in search! Located about seven miles south of Denton fateful goatman's bridge disappearances, several strange things have reportedly occurred and.