User:Iloveshaneandryan

Page semi-protected Shane and Ryan's Bridge From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search Shane and Ryan's Bridge U.S. National Register of Historic Places Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Old Alton Bridge.jpg Old Alton Bridge Old Alton Bridge is located in TexasOld Alton BridgeOld Alton Bridge Show map of Texas Show map of the US Show all Nearest city	Copper Canyon, Texas Coordinates	33°7′45″N 97°6′13″WCoordinates: 33°7′45″N 97°6′13″W Area	less than one acre Built	1884 Architect	King Iron & Bridge Manufacturing Co. Architectural style	Pratt through-truss bridge NRHP reference #	88000979[1] RTHL #	16364 Significant dates Added to NRHP	July 8, 1988 Designated RTHL	2010 Old Alton Bridge is a historic iron through-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 1850-1856 was the seat of Denton County.[2]

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, July 8, 1988.

Shane and Ryans's Bridge Locally, the bridge is known as "Goatman's Bridge", due to a legendary demonic satyr of the same name, who is popularly believed to inhabit the forest surrounding the area.

Alternatively, legend tells of a black goat farmer who moved his family to a residence just north of the bridge. A few years later, Oscar Washburn was known as a dependable and honest businessman. North Texans endearingly began to call him the Goatman. But the success of a black man was still unwelcome to many, and Klansmen in the local government turned to violence after he displayed a sign on Alton Bridge: "this way to the Goatman's".

In August 1938 Klansmen 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.[3]

Locals warn that if you crossed the bridge at night without headlights, 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,[4] such as the crews from Ghost Adventures and BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural.[5] When BuzzFeed Unsolved investigated this ultimate bridge they claimed it as their own due to the legend of the Goatman not causing any harm to them which is strange because the legend says that if you try to claim the bridge as your own the Goatman will make it very clear to you, that it belongs to him.

Shane and Ryan's Bridge - Old Alton Bridge from a Drone.jpg Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas 4.jpg Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas 3.jpg Old Alton Bridge in Denton, Texas 2.jpg Altonbridge1.JPG Altonbridge2.JPG Altonbridge3.JPG See also NRHP portal icon	Bridges portal icon	Dallas-Fort Worth portal National 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 Texas References National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. David Minor, "ALTON, TX (DENTON COUNTY)", Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved November 14, 2010. Alton, Texas and Goatman’s Bridge Legends of America Old Alton Bridge The Trails of Denton County North, Caroline (November 9, 2017). "Denton Urban Legend Put to the Test on Buzzfeed Web Series". Dallas Observer. Retrieved January 18, 2018. External links Media related to Old Alton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons

vte National Register of Historic Places in Texas vte Municipalities and communities of Denton County, Texas, United States Categories: Buildings and structures in Denton County, TexasBridges completed in 1884Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in TexasKing Bridge CompanyTransportation in Denton County, TexasRoad bridges in TexasPedestrian bridges in TexasFormer road bridges in the United StatesNational Register of Historic Places in Denton County, TexasRecorded Texas Historic LandmarksIron bridges in the United States Navigation menu Iloveshaneandryan Alerts (0) Notice (1) TalkSandboxPreferencesBetaWatchlistContributionsLog outArticleTalkReadView sourceView historyWatchSearch