THE DEAD HITCHHIKER
When I think about phantom hitchhikers, I’m always reminded of one of the segments in the second Creepshow movie. In the film, a lady runs over a man who’s hitching and then leaves him dead on the road. The angry spirit then proceeds to haunt and torture the woman all the way to her home. While there are no haunted places listed here that have a story specifically like this, there are certainly some spooky tales in this chapter.
The setting of driving alone at night on a desolate road, and spying the apparition of a lonely soul walking along, is enough to chill anyone. There aren’t many of these ghostly pedestrians who like to hang out at bridges, but the examples I could find are all documented here. Enjoy!
Second Creek Bridge—Elgin, Alabama
Where US Highway 72 crosses Second Creek in Alabama is a bridge with a peculiar story. It seems that during the 1930s (locals are a little foggy on the exact decade, but the details seem to point to the area of 1930 to 1950), there was a jazz man walking to the city of Florence. His trip was cut short, however, when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist on this bridge.
Now, according to legend, the occasional driver will encounter the ghost as he is crossing the span. If you pick up the spectral hitchhiker, he will ask you to take him to Florence and then begin talking about his trumpet. Of course, somewhere between Second Creek and Florence the phantom disappears.
The man is simply known locally as the Jazz Man because of his reference to a trumpet and due to the fact he is said to appear wearing an old, white zoot suit. And it’s because of these assorted clues that most people date the dead man back to the 1930s. If you see the ghost crossing this bridge, have no fear. He won’t stick around long in or out of your car.
Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge
—Tampa Bay, Florida
With a total length of 21,877 feet, and stretching some 180 feet in the air over the waters below, the Skyway Bridge has had a tragic history. The original version of this structure opened in 1954 to the public—and aside from the occasional jumper—suffered nothing too out of the ordinary for a span of this size. Then in 1980 disaster struck. It was during a thunderstorm that year that the ship Summit Venture ran into a support column beneath the bridge. It caused a collapse that dumped six cars, a truck, and a Greyhound bus into the bay. That day, thirty-five people died. This, in itself, would be enough to justify a haunting at this place, but it’s sad to say the story gets even worse.
In 1987, the current version of the bridge opened. Since the opening of the new bridge, more than two hundred people have committed suicide at the Skyway. This is despite constant surveillance by the highway patrol and the prohibition of stopped vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
The most well-known ghost story about this bridge involves the ghost of a young woman. Those who have seen her say she walks the bridge, agitated, until someone stops and picks her up. Once she is in the vehicle, she appears even more upset—wringing her hands, crying, etc.—until she finally disappears before the bridge is fully crossed. It’s also worth noting that, in addition to the phantom hitchhiker, many claim to see the ghostly image of the Greyhound bus scooting along the road.
Metropolitan Avenue Bridge—Atlanta, Georgia
In the realm of ghost stories there are several different types of tales. The most common would fall under the heading of urban legend— and the yarn about this particular bridge is definitely that. But before we dive into the story, it should be noted that this location isn’t a bridge per se. It’s a set of train tracks crossing over Metropolitan Avenue (and the tracks don’t really even qualify as being a trestle of any kind). We don’t have to be concerned about that, however, since the ghost in question is said to appear under the tracks, by the road.
The legend goes like this: If you happen along the road at night you may notice a young girl hitchhiking at this spot. Pick her up and she will give you a local address to take her to. While she is in the car, it’s said that she will not speak and that she always looks straight ahead through the windshield. Once you arrive at your destination the girl will tell you, “Thanks for the ride,” get out of the car, and promptly disappear.
To go the extra mile with the story, you can supposedly then go to the front door of the residence you are at and give it a knock. You will be told by the inhabitant there that the young girl used to live in the home, but she was killed in an auto accident at the spot you picked her up. Since nobody has actually noted this address, it can probably be assumed this story is simply a legend. But on the off chance you run into the girl and give her a ride, be sure to let all of us know where she lives.
16th Avenue Bridge—Kaimuki, Hawaii
The whole idea of eternally looking for a ride, getting a ride, and then ending right back where you started is a sort of hell in itself. When it happens to the spirit of a little girl … well, it becomes particularly tragic. Such is the case with this bridge in Kaimuki.
It’s said a young girl was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident—and now people see her spirit wandering the bridge at night. Witnesses claim that they have stopped to ask the girl if she’s okay, if she needs a ride, etc. Then the girl climbs into the car and rides until the end of the bridge. At that point she simply disappears.
This haunting has been reported an incredible amount of times, and those who claim to have had this exact event happen to them keep piling up. If you find yourself driving on the island of Oahu it may be worth your time to take a trip to this location and give it a whirl. If nothing else, it sounds like a rather tame haunt and you’d certainly have a rather unique vacation story.
Edna Collins Bridge—Greencastle, Indiana
Though the ghost at this location isn’t technically hitchhiking, this chapter seemed the best fit for this particular bridge and story. The Edna Collins Bridge was built in 1922 over Little Walnut Creek. And it’s said that the bridge’s spiritual namesake, Edna Collins, was a little girl who loved to go swimming at this spot. The daily ritual (when it was warm enough to go swimming) was for Edna’s parents to drop her off at the creek, let her swim for a spell, and then come back for her. They would pull their car up and honk three times, signaling little Edna to come to the car. Well, one day she didn’t come when they honked. She had drowned in the creek.
So the legend goes that if you now park on this bridge and honk your horn three times, the spirit of little Edna will come to your car and maybe even crawl inside. In addition to this, people have claimed to see the small ghost playing in the water and to find childlike handprints on their car after visiting the bridge. As a bizarre side note, there is a spin-off tale that concerns the death of the girl’s mother; some say that the mother, distraught after Edna’s death, hung herself in a church that’s nearby. Because of this, her apparition is also included in many of the eyewitness accounts from here.
Hamilton Road Bridge—Mulberry, Indiana
The bridge on this stretch of road heads a trio of urban legends that teenagers have been testing for decades. But if you want to check it out, first you need to make sure you are at the correct bridge. There are actually three spans along Hamilton Road and you will want to visit the third structure to kick off your night of legend tripping.
Legend 1: If you stop before crossing the bridge in question, and then flash your headlights four times, you will see a man suddenly appear behind your vehicle and start chasing you across the bridge. He is supposedly the ghost of a hitchhiker who was struck and killed at that spot.
Legend 2: A bit farther up the same road you will see a small graveyard. If you park here and watch the woods, you will see phantom flames leap up. Legend says a church burned at this spot during the 1800s, killing all the parishioners inside. If you wait long enough, you can now see that moment in time reenacted.
Legend 3: After you leave the graveyard and drive a bit more, there is a set of railroad tracks crossing the road. If you stop on the tracks (not a smart move to make since trains do come through here), it’s said you will hear a train sound its whistle and see lights coming down the tracks—but there will be no train. To top it all off, after you leave, if you check your car’s bumper there will be handprints on it. It seems a young man died after being struck by a train on those tracks and now he attempts to push people clear of them. (See, parking on train tracks is a bad idea!)
Child’s Creek Bridge—Closplint, Kentucky
Not much is known about this small bridge on the outskirts of the unincorporated town of Closplint. Locals tell the story of a young woman who perished in an accident at this location and who now haunts the area here. While she may not have been a hitchhiker when she died, most who catch a glimpse of her as they hit the bridge mistake her for one. It’s too bad, though, that most people only get one good look at the apparition.
Apparently, seeing this spirit causes drivers to duplicate the demise of the young woman; a wreck usually happens after she is seen. While the original death at this location cannot be verified, it does appear that there have been an inordinate amount of auto accidents in this area—though it may or may not have anything to do with a ghost. If you decide to test the theory and go hunting for this particular specter, you may want to drive very slowly; at least you may then survive any kind of accident you have while gawking at the dead.
Charles Burr Lane Bridge—Opelousas, Louisiana
This well-hidden spot is a popular high school dare in the area. The bridge is tiny, but the story is big. It also has a bizarre twist on the typical dead hitchhiker legend. It’s said that if you drive this road at night you will notice an old man walking along in the area of the bridge. You will know it is the correct old man if he is carrying a pale green, glowing lantern. If you stop to ask the old man if he needs a ride, he will disappear. However, if you drive past him, you will suddenly sense a dark presence in your vehicle. Apparently at this point a black mass, in the vague shape of a human being, will appear in your backseat. It will remain there until you attempt to touch it or stop your car.
There’s not much info regarding the relationship of these two apparitions. Are they the same being? Are they two different people who were killed at this location? Nobody knows. It’s a creepy tale that takes place on a spooky stretch of road. Take a drive down into the Louisiana country and check it out for yourself.
Upper Blackwell Road Bridge—Blackwell, Missouri
Spanning the Big River, this bridge (as well as the road) has had quite the reputation over the years. Generally regarded as a location where bad things tend to happen, most people in the area simply say the spot is evil. There are a couple stories associated with the region, with the most well known involving a phantom pair of hitchhikers who are seen leading up to the bridge.
Reportedly, the hitchhikers will flag you down but disappear when you actually stop. Then there are the stories involving a mysterious car that will appear if you flash your headlights three times as you are crossing the bridge. Both of these tales are supposed to be the result of a car accident that occurred in the 1950s. If all this isn’t enough, there are also the legends told about a hanging judge that was infamous in the old days. If you did wrong, he would sentence you to death and then you were dragged to old Black Tram (as the first version of the bridge at this spot was known) and strung up. Because of these killings, people now feel like there is an ugly, evil presence on the bridge.
Witnesses say disembodied voices are common, as well as the feeling of being watched. Sound spooky? Then I probably shouldn’t add that people have also seen dark figures standing on the bridge.
Broad River Bridge—Caroleen, North Carolina
This rather plain, concrete bridge spanning Broad River is on US-221 ALT on the south side of town. Since it doesn’t have any overhanging structure (just a simple metal railing beside the road), it’s rather easy to drive right over it without ever knowing you were on it! Of course, you might have a hint you’re on the haunted bridge if you see a pair of elderly, female apparitions walking along the road.
The story goes that, if you pick the pair up, they will say nothing but will get in your vehicle and ride along for a bit. Then they disappear. It has been supposed that they died in a vehicle accident either by driving off the bridge or somewhere else nearby and then they wandered to the bridge in the afterlife. However they got there, those who have picked up the ghosts say the experience is rather unsettling.
Once they are in your vehicle—and the eerie silence ensues—that slow, creeping dread of the uncanny hits you. Then, when the lack of interaction from the women becomes unbearable, they fade away right before your eyes. Sound scary? Go find out. Just don’t miss the bridge.
Lydia’s Bridge—Jamestown, North Carolina
This underpass/bridge is the setting for one of North Carolina’s most famous ghost stories. It’s an almost certain bet that if the subject of hauntings is brought up, somebody is going to tell you about the sad hitchhiker who is known as Lydia.
Here’s the story: If you drive along High Point Road (US-70A) toward the span in question, you will see a young woman in a white dress waving at you to stop. She will get in your car and explain that her name is Lydia and that she is trying to get home from her school dance. She will give you some directions, but on the way to her house she will disappear. Supposedly, one person actually managed to get all the way to her home before she vanished. When he went to the front door of the place, an elderly woman greeted him and explained the girl was her daughter, who had died in an auto accident after leaving a local dance.
It’s said this accident occurred sometime in the 1920s or 1930s, so the encounter at the girl’s home must have also happened some time ago. A haunted tour of North Carolina would not be complete without a visit to this spot—and the story has certainly been featured a number of times on television and in books. And here it is again!
Main Street Bridge—Pawtucket, Rhode Island
The sad apparition that’s seen walking across this old bridge (it dates back to 1858 and is thought to be the oldest highway bridge in current use in Rhode Island) is less of a hitchhiker and more like a ghost that’s usually mistaken for a hitchhiker. It’s said that when motorists see the spirit on the bridge, they pull over and ask him if he needs a ride—and then the man disappears.
This area is sort of known for hauntings, so this story doesn’t really come as a surprise; nearby is the Slater Mill historic site that has ghosts of its own. The mill’s spooky inhabitants are said to be the unfortunate workers who were killed while working in this Industrial Revolution era textile factory. Many of these lost souls are even said to be children. Apparitions, moans/cries, and dark figures are the most commonly reported activity in the mill.
Maybe the bridge spirit is a former worker who decided to quit because of the working conditions there. I’d definitely try to hit both of these sites if you’re planning a paranormal trip to the town of Pawtucket.
Gervais Street Bridge—Columbia, South Carolina
Built in 1928, this concrete arch bridge is the third to stand at this spot over the Congaree River. The first dates back to 1827; it was burned down during the American Civil War by Confederate troops to slow the march of General Sherman into the South. The second was constructed in 1870 and was the only bridge across this river at the time. The remains of both of these can be seen from the current bridge. But I’m sure you’re more interested in seeing the ghost at this spot.
It’s said the spirit of a young girl can be seen hitchhiking here. She appears to be wearing garb from the 1940s or 1950s and will get in your car if you actually stop to pick her up. However, she won’t speak or respond to any questions, such as, “Where are you headed?” Before you get to the end of the bridge she will disappear. According to one of her chauffeurs, as he was driving her across the bridge he noticed that his car was getting colder and colder—and at one point he thought she appeared as a black, blurry thing sitting in the seat. Kind of adds a spooky spin to the story, doesn’t it?
Wateree River Bridge—Laurens County, South Carolina
Located along US Highway 76, this bridge crosses a swampy area of South Carolina that is already known for being rather scary. But when you add in this ghostly tale, the westbound portion of this bridge kicks it up a notch!
The story goes that a couple was returning home to Columbia when they noticed a young woman walking in the rain along this bridge. They stopped and picked her up. When they asked where the girl was going, she said she was going home to Columbia. The couple offered to take her home and began driving. A few miles down the road, they attempted to make conversation with the girl, but to their dismay, she evaporated right before their eyes. Passersby now claim to see the spirit of this girl regularly on the bridge.
A second version of the tale exists—one that’s a bit more limited and specific. In this iteration the girl only appears on the anniversary of her death, and when the original couple picked her up, she told them that she lived on a particular street in Columbia. After the girl disappeared, the couple decided to visit the address the ghost had given them. They found an elderly woman at the address who appeared to be expecting them; she informed the couple that her daughter always appears and catches a ride with someone on the anniversary of her death. Since we don’t know who the girl is, or when she died, it makes it a bit difficult to be at the bridge on that day.
West 26th Street Bridge—Sioux Falls, South Dakota
This small overpass crossing Interstate 29 (I-29) is known for being the home of two phantom joggers running along the road. Those who have seen the ghosts say that they ignore cars passing by and seem to go about their business, oblivious to everything around them. One encounter, however, does detail an attempt to give the joggers a ride; this witness said that he pulled up beside the spirits because he thought they looked distressed. But when he asked them if they were alright and if they needed a ride, they faded away before his eyes.
While this spot may be known for these ghosts, it’s also known as a popular place to debunk a ghost story. There are at least four pages online that detail reasons why this spot is not haunted. Some of these explanations are even more ludicrous than the story of the haunting. If you want to find out if the haunting is real or not, you will have to go see for yourself.
Provo Canyon Road Bridge—Bridal Veil Falls, Utah
The bridge crossing Lost Creek is entirely unnoticeable; it’s simply part of the road with some simple guardrails. But if you catch a glimpse of the famous ghost that’s seen along this route, I’m sure you will notice that.
The spirit is a female who is seen dressed in white, hitchhiking along this road. It’s said she was driving either to or from her wedding when she drove off the road here and perished. The lone witness to the event said that her veil was still floating in the wind when her car hurtled through the air.
Witnesses say your best bet for seeing the apparition is in the early morning hours. Since most accounts say she appears as a normal person (not a ghost), you may want to take notice of any woman in a bridal gown walking in this area. Chances are she will be a ghost.
While you’re here, you may also want to take a moment to absorb the awesome scenery; the 607-foot-tall waterfall that’s nearby is quite the sight to see.
5th Street Bridge—Huntington, West Virginia
This bridge, along with the entire stretch of 5th Street, is known for being the stomping grounds of a female ghost. First reported in the local newspaper in 1942, the article states that a Black and White Cab driver encountered a girl hailing him for a ride on 5th Street Hill. She gave him a destination and they talked as they drove along; he thought it was odd that she wasn’t wearing a coat in winter. When they reached the end of the drive, the cabbie turned for the fare and the girl had disappeared.
Since then, this story makes the papers periodically with a new sighting. And it seems that drivers in the region are still seeing the young apparition looking for a ride. In some instances she has been said to disappear while crossing the bridge and others say she only fades away after you arrive at an address in West Huntington. Either way, your best bet to see this ghost seems to be driving a taxi. Good luck with that.
Jay Road Bridge—Boltonville, Wisconsin
Known to locals as Seven Bridges Road, this stretch through the countryside of Wisconsin has several bridges along it. You can pick which one you want to visit since the entire road is said to be haunted!
There are two basic stories that legend trippers point to when visiting this spot. The first involves the apparition of a lady that people see jogging along the road. Of course, nobody realizes she is a ghost until they stop to ask her if she needs a ride. Then it’s pretty obvious she is dead when she suddenly disappears.
The second story is an odd one. It’s said that an old house that once stood along the road burned one night, killing a woman and all her cats. Now the apparition of the woman is seen wandering along in the areas off the road, a stop sign now bleeds, and corpses of cats turn up a lot. See, I told you it was weird. Nobody has any idea why a stop sign would bleed in this scenario, but there it is—the legend of Seven Bridges Road.