Shane and Ryan's Bridge

Shane and Ryan's Bridge

Shane and Ryan's Bridge or also known as Old Alton Bridge, It's a historic iron bridge in the the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. The bridge was built in 1884 by the King Bridge Company, it originally carried horses and automobiles through Hickory Creek. The bridge took its name from the abandon community of Alton, which was around from 1850-1856 in Denton County.

The old bridge was used to travel, but in 2001 it was no longer in use. All the traffic was moved to a newer bridge make of concrete and steel.

Goatman's Bridge

The locals call the bridge "Goatman's Bridge", because of a legend. A demonic satyr of the same name, is popularly believed to live in the area of the surrounding forest.

The legend tells of a black goat farmer who moved his family north of the bridge. A few years later a man named Oscar Washburn, who was a dependable and honest businessman. North Texas began to call him the Goatman, but because of the success of the black man was still very unwelcomed to many people. Klansmen would then come to the bridge for violence and would then display a sign that said: "This way to the Goatman's".

In August of 1938 the Klansmen crossed the bridge to kidnap Washburn from his family. They hung up a noose on the bridge, after securing it they hung it around Washburn's neck and threw him over the side. When they looked down to see if he died, the noose was empty. Shocked and panicked they went back to his family and then murdered his wife and children.^[1]

The locals have warned people that if they cross the bridge at night without headlights or any lights at all, Goatman will be at the other said waiting for you. Ghostly figures and strange lights are said to appear there as well. People have reported of being touched, grabbed, and having rocks thrown at them. Because of all of these the bridge has been a popular spot for paranormal investigators,^[2] such as the investigators of Ghost Adventures and the web series BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural.^[3]