Nestled in the thick woods of Stowe, Vermont, sits a gorgeously built 19th-century covered bridge. Its formal name is the Gold Brook Bridge, though many locals know the landmark by its far more popular nickname: Emily's Bridge.
The Gold Brook Bridge, aka Stowe Hollow Bridge, aka Emily's Bridge, is a local legend steeped in rumor and whispers.
Built in 1844 by a resident by the name of John W. Smith, it is the only remaining covered bridge utilizing wooden Howe trusses in its construction. It measures 48 1/2 feet long, and also houses a railway.
The surrounding landscape is serene and beautiful- in summer, the leaves on the surrounding trees are vibrant and green.
In autumn, the leaves transition to shades of gold and red, creating an even more mysterious allure around the bridge than usual. It seems autumn is the perfect time to explore a haunted bridge.
Legend has it that in the 1920s, a young woman by the name of Emily was jilted by her lover, who failed to show up to meet her at Gold Brook.
Heartbroken for the last time, the woman crafted a noose and hung herself from the rafters of the bridge in hopes he would eventually arrive and find her dangling there.
Though a local resident did take credit for having invented the story in the 1970s, rumor has it that reports of ghostly activity date back as far as the 1930s.
Numerous spooked visitors to the bridge have reported the sounds of a woman screaming, mysterious floating lights, loud footsteps, and even scratch marks on cars after passing through the bridge- especially at night.
Even still - many locals claim they've never seen, heard or felt a thing out of the ordinary at Gold Brook Bridge.
For superstitious residents, however, this is a place best left alone. It's possible that some of the strange sounds heard in the area are otherwise a result of the surrounding landscape and a tendency for echoes, but we suppose we'll likely never really know.
Despite the possibility of this explanation, the bridge is a favorite destination for modern-day ghost hunters.
The Gold Brook Bridge is sought out by mischievous teenagers so often that residents in the area have created an ordinance: no alcohol may be consumed at the bridge after dark, and no loud music is permitted.
The now-quiet stillness of Gold Brook Bridge just seems to lend more to its eeriness instead of contributing to nocturnal peace.
The 48-and-a-half foot long bridge simply seems to be full of secrets, most of which we will probably never know.
The bridge has no official website or formal social media pages, though one can find several pages on Facebook dedicated to the spot. It's a local favorite for sure, though, and we think you'll totally love it- for the spooks and the beauty alike.
Have you ever investigated a haunted bridge? What about haunted woods? Tell us about your adventures in the comments below!
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