For the Kentucky creature, see, "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=1142657702, Articles with dead external links from January 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 17:43. However, there is more to this bridge than just the iron it was made of. Learn how your comment data is processed. Ryan and Shane's bridge is a so called haunted bridge. If youre really brave, go stand on the bridge and knock three times to meet the Goatman face to face. They waited until the time was right to strike, and on a dark night in August, 1938, they crossed the bridge without their headlights on. . 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. He has found a female companion who wanders the area, searching for her lost baby. The Goatmans Bridge connects the area of Denton with Copper Canyon. There have even been accounts of people being attacked by the alleged half-goat demon. 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. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. 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. This isn't the Old Alton Bridge any longer. Learn how your comment data is processed. Visitors hear hooves beating across the bridge, splashing in the creek below, maniacal laughter, and an inhuman growl that emanates from the woods. A handful of states have a Goatman tale, with Texas having a few itself, but each expresses unique reminders of threats from a forgotten past. 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. In the last episode, he not only goes back, but has one thing to say to the demon he's convinced resides in that house: ". Shane's a bit unhinged in this episode as he immediately starts screaming at the demon and dancing onits bridge. All Rights Reserved. The simple yet sturdy bridge allowed developers to carry horses and automobiles across the river. Shane: Goatman! Love or hate the Hot Daga, the post mortem finales have fully fledged songs that Shane clearly works hard on, and he can actually sing. What is it about bridges that is so spooky? 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. Let's revisit some of the funniest quotes from Shane from the series so far, get ready to laugh Buckaroos! He was popular in the community for being an honest businessman and producing quality goods. [1], According to some variations of the legend, Goatman is said to have once been a scientist who worked in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Many of us came to love the chaotic energy that Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara brought to Buzzfeed Unsolved. He is the master of the bridge, possessed by a demon from another realm. 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. Oscar was gone. Natasha Ishak is a staff writer at All That's Interesting. Back in The Day is an ongoing WDDI contribution from Shaun Treat, founder of the Denton Haunts historical ghost tour. Its original purpose was to carry horses and automobiles across the river. 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. Naturally, none of the ghost stories surrounding the bridge are based on any specific historical facts. Washburns body ended up on the ground below the bridge after he was either thrown off by the Klansmen or his body slipped from the noose. They're gonna put my name in graffiti. us, which seems the perfect opportunity to revisit one of Dentons most High-quality Buzzfeed Unsolved Goatmans Bridge Wall Art designed and sold by artists. Then, Oscar made the biggest mistake of his life; he hung a sign on the bridge that advertised, this way to the Goatman.. Many believe a demonic entity with the head of a goat haunts the bridge. The City also requests that you contact the Tustin Police Department's Non-Emergency number at 714-573-3225 to report graffiti, in addition to contacting the City's Graffiti Removal Hotline. 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. "We're here for the cult stuff! She is the Fine Arts Editor for the Timber Creek Talon and the Copy Editor for the Art and Literature Magazine. Kristen Palamara is a reader, writer, and avid film/tv watcher from the Midwest United States. Another story is that satanists performed rituals on the bridge,. Shane says this line in the Black Dahlia Revisited episode when Ryan brings up he took an improv class. This isnt the Old Alton Bridge any longer. Inone of the first episodes that sees the boys traveling, they've been warned not to directly interact with ghouls or demons. The Klansmen rode back to his home and torched it with his family still inside. As someone who lives near Denton and has been to the goatman's bridge multiple times, that shit ain't haunted LOL. 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. He threatens to take the bridge for him and Ryanif Goatmandoesn'tshow up to fight him for it. Many believe a demonic entity with the head of a goat haunts the bridge. Here are some of his best quotes. Ghostly figures and strange lights have been seen in the surrounding woods. LocalWiki is a grassroots effort to collect, share and open the worlds local knowledge. You will see the Goatmans glowing red eyes on the bridge. 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. Ryan and Shane pay a visit to the bridge to find out. This became a running joke among fans, who edited the Wikipedia to say Shane Madejs Bridge instead of Goatmans Bridge so often that it had to be protected from editing. Most ghosts are given names because we need to feel like we can know them. by Christopher Hudspeth, Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej On this episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural, Ryan and Shane visited. Offer subject to change without notice. Halloween is upon 2023 Atlas Obscura. There have also been reports of sacrificial rituals performed in the woods nearby, which believers of the supernatural argue is the true cause of the Goatmans appearance. 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. One of the most famous local ghost stories though, and one of the more terrifying, is the legend of Goatman's Bridge. Library of Congress/Historic American Engineering Record Another version of Washburns legend posits that it is actually his wife who haunts the old structure. Wikimedia CommonsBecause of the alleged goat-demon that haunts it, Goatmans bridge is a popular location for thrill-seekers and photographers. Plaques stating the bridge's historical landmark status and weight limit. Shane can't resist taunting the demons and ghouls by lying down on the spot and screaming this iconic line. To say this angered the local Klansmen would be an understatement. 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. [2] This bridge is the subject of several ghostlore stories featuring a vengeful ghost. There are a few stories about how the bridge got its nickname, however the most popular one is the story of Oscar Washburn. Shane immediately disregards this advice when Ryan tells him about the basement of the haunted house that previously had a pentagram drawn on the floor. Some locals have claimed to see glowing eyes staring at them on the bridge, while others have claimed to hear splashing in the creek directly below, followed by unsettling laughter. I really hope you ended up talking about scientific notation or something to appease the ancient demon that is Shane. Occasionally, it was rumored that Goatman would venture out to kill a dog or rush up abruptly beating cars with an ax. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Except where otherwise noted, this content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Of course, this quote comes in at number one. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County. Built in 1884, by Shane Madej, it originally carried horses and later automobiles over Hickory Creek at a location that once was a popular ford for crossing cattle. 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. I researched a lot of local history since I'm a history major, and the claims of a guy being hung from that bridge have never showed up in any kind of newspaper or spoken history until the myth began. Additionally numerous cars have been found near the bridge, their occupants missing without a trace. Did I capture any paranormal activity. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Locals endearingly called him the Goatman. Look at the way I dance on it. Methods included knocking three times, using an Ouija board, and insulting the demonic entity. 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 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 Denton County location is notoriously haunted by the spirit of Oscar Washburn, or "Goatman," who was believed to be a former . Rumor has it that the Old Alton Bridge is haunted by a half-goat demon with glowing red eyes and a loud snarl. Its said that the so-called Goatman can be summoned by knocking on the bridge three times. Learn more | Graffiti Removal Service The bridge is on Old Alton Road, not to be confused with the neighborhood road less than a mile away called Old Alton Drive. It is said that the Goatman lives in a makeshift shack somewhere hidden in the woods. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. [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. It's the Shane and Ryan . 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. A fan animatic I made. After Washburns body disappeared, the Klansmen are alleged to have returned to his home and murdered the rest of his family. Oct 3, 2019 Old Alton Bridge was built to connect Denton, Texas to the town of Alton, Texas. The bridge is haunted, and not by any ordinary ghost. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Goatman Bridge is a nickname for Old Alton Bridge in Argyle, Texas. SHANE'S Bridge. Though it is called the "Old Alton Bridge" the community of Alton had already dispersed by 1884. While on the bridge, Madej goaded on the Goatman by exclaiming Goatman! RELATED: 10 Scariest Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural Episodes. The bridge got its nickname from a popular local ghost story. 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. Washburn was never seen again. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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. Photo from ReneLibrary. Hence, the structure was named Old Alton Bridge since it was built near the old settlement. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. No purchase necessary. Since the appearance on Buzzfeed Unsolved, it has only grown in notoriety. 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.. Most versions of the tale tend to include a warning that knocking three times on the trusses of the bridge runs the risk of bringing out the Goatman. One of the two hosts of Buzzfeed Unsolved, Shane Madej makes the show great with his witty banter and sense of humor. 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. This legend results in the area around Old Alton Bridge being popular among paranormal investigators, such as the crews from Ghost Adventures and BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural. The bridge was built in 1884, by the King Iron Manufacturing Bridge Company. The myth stems from a local ghost story about an African-American goat farmer named Oscar Washburn. Since that fateful night, strange things began to happen on and around the bridge. Donate. 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. Now that youve learned about the scary legend of Goatmans Bridge, go inside the mystery of the Overtoun Bridge, Scotlands dog suicide hotspot. 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. 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. The fact that Ryan finally slept in a demonic location during the Bellaire house episode. RELATED: 10 Scariest Buzzfeed UnsolvedTrue Crime Episodes. The series that they started on YouTube gave . They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. They hung a noose on Old Alton Bridge and, after securing it around his neck, threw him over the side. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. , 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. Goatman's Bridge is an old wood and steel structure spanning a small waterway between Denton, Texas, and neighboring town, Copper Canyon. Thus, it earned the nickname Goatman's Bridge. Shane and Ryan's Bridge is a historic iron through-truss bridge connecting the cities of Denton, Texas and Copper Canyon, Texas. You wont find the names of Oscar Washburn or Jack Kendall in any historical records. Thus, it earned the nickname Goatmans Bridge. At least one witness claims that their friend was pulled off the bridge by an unknown entity. 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. Governor's Bridge is a single-lane bridge with great historical significance. 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? Haunted or not, the century-old bridge remains a popular site, even for those who are looking to take some peaceful photographs. The quaint area also included the Hickory Creek Baptist Church, the Alton cemetery, a saloon, and a school. Shop unique custom made Canvas Prints, Framed Prints, Posters, Tapestries, and more. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. With fiery glowing red eyes, the Goatman stands on guard at the Old Alton Bridge. 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. It's one of the most iconic quotes of the series and deserves its spot at the top. Goatmans Bridge has been the subject of investigations on popular supernatural shows like Buzzfeed Unsolved: Supernatural and Ghost Adventures. It's my bridge now! In the 1930s, an African-American man named Oscar Washburn settled with his family near the bridge. It quickly became a meme with people connecting the quote with a crime statistics graph that shows crime plummeting after Shane says this once. According to the most circulated version, an African-American entrepreneur named Oscar Washburn and his family tended a farmstead goat herd near the bridge that was renowned for quality meat, milk, cheeses and hides.
