Neither version of the story provides much in the way of details, however. Located near the cities of Denton and Copper Canyon, Texas, the Old Alton Bridge was originally built by the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company as a way to transport people and cattle. The floodplain is a very turbulent one, and the Antelope Hill bridge (the original site for a bridge across the river) sustained severe damage time and again from floods. One year most of the cars in the secure garage were vandalized the night before the race. Use to go there to get scared years ago. 07/03/2022 . I have climbed on top of the bridge many times and dived off .We swam there a lot.The lake had large schools of gold fish that we would seine and use for bait on trot lines that we put in the warrior river at black creek .I am 85 and still live 1mile from the bridge. In particular, it is believed that if you park in the middle of the bridge at night and turn your lights off, the Donkey Lady will appear. A 120 foot section near the east bank of the river broke loose and fell into the river. [] 5th grade at Bayview Elementary School. Another variation claims that if you honk your horn twice on Halloween, the Goatmans eyes will materialize. This was not due to the weather, but rather to the appearance of a strange woman in white. 8 RV/Tent. The remnants of the dam remain in place and the area is largely accessible to the public. Dallas, Tx. They are in a beautiful agricultural area, something you don't really see that often in AZ. Daniel Pope youve been there havent you ? His name was chunky stubbs, I also remember the story of a lady seen on Ruffner Road in Irondale by the Bass Cemetery supposedly trying to get a ride then disappearing from the back seat. Maintenance of the route was originally split between Yuma and Maricopa counties. Check out the video by YouTuber Atomic Shooter: Have you ever visited the Gillespie Dam Bridge? This is a cool old narrow bridge with a view of the busted dam. ( I think it was a case of the nerves) LOL The cemetery was a creepy place to be.Well worth checking out.. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. A lovely day trip, heading out from the Sun City area. Where is this bridge, i.e., what highway? When you get to the Gillespie Bridge, it's a very rusty, very picturesque bridge. I still wouldnt want to cross there at night. Phoenix New Times. So many stories from a wonderful man!!! Essentially, if one goes through each gate in order at midnight, then upon entering the seventh, the doors to Hell will be thrown open, and the brave individual will be pursued by hellhounds. As for his wife, most of her body was thoroughly burned, but she managed to escape to nearby Elm Creek, where she disappeared forever. In the process of building the community, they dammed up Village Creek at a point where there was a steep gorge and made a man-made lake. It was sad to see the bridge taken down. People have said for years they have seen something on the bridge. But if I close both eyes tightly, it could almost be a she-haint. Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article! She had been molested and mutilated. It is a creepy place and even though the old bridge is gone, I still think of the ghost story when I cross it. Start typing here to find a location. Theres still the small bridge in Fultondale on Walkers Chapel Rd with the grating on it like that. 6. My great grandfather was a cab driver and he swears he picked up a lady and her baby. [8], Due to the failure, three underground natural gas lines were exposed and later severed by the floodwaters. g, Of course not, at least not in my 60+ years of living in the area. After a few years of problems and false starts (including a flood that washed away much of the construction equipment and materials), the Gillespie Dam Bridge was opened for traffic in 1927. Miss the old bridge. Building on the Gila River has always been a challenge. Drone footage by Atomic Shooter offers an aerial view of the historic structure, and its hauntingly beautiful. The church pictured above was a commu ity church in the community of Edgewater and when built it served the Baptist one week and the Methodist the next. Gillespie Dam Bridge Map - Arizona, United States - Mapcarta THE bridge isnt located on AL 269 but a county road off 269.This bridge is no longer there has been replaced with concrete. I personally dont believe in ghost but thats just me.i would have to see one to believe it. In 1921, Gillespie and his company constructed the Gillespie Dam, a concrete irrigation dam, spanning the Gila River. Let us know, and check out our previous article for more drone footage:7 Drone Videos From Arizona That Will Take You On An Aerial Tour Of The Grand Canyon State. Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge - Review of Historic - Tripadvisor Later TCI eliminated the rental program and sold the homes to the workers. Good thing to do in this case!!! Just below the dam, an earthen embankment diverts water from the Gila River (which still flows year round) into nearby canals. Although teenagers have been known to use the bridge as a hard-to-find place for late-night parties, others avoid the bridge because so many believe it to be haunted. Photo(s): 30 | Data Page(s): 34 | Photo Caption Page(s): 3. In order to combat the menace, townspeople called upon the elderly and seemingly kindhearted Friske, who surprised many by preaching a fire and brimstone gospel that blamed demons for the recent disappearances of so many children. Spooky place! The first driver killed there hit the wall just out of Turn 1 on a glancing blow. The girl was 9 years old. Contributor: Arizona Highway Department - Leeson, R. V. - Topeka Bridge & Iron Wokrs - Hoffman, Ralph A. . It's one of the most important examples of early bridge construction in Arizona. Both men said they didnt see anything, but the womens version of the woman they saw hanging there was exactly the same, right down to the wedding dress she was wearing. In every state in the US, there are so-called crybaby bridges. Earning their titles from reported accounts of hearing strange baby cries during the night, these structures are supposedly haunted by the ghosts of dead (sometimes murdered) children. They are interesting and very informative about my native state. In 1921, he financed the construction of the dam to replace an older structure along the river. My grandmother and mom have always told me about this story. The Gila River Flood of 1993 only caused some support piers to settle (because of its design and . When she retired, Donna found time to focus on her lifetime passion for historical writing. Both drowned. The story of the infamous Hells Bridge in Algoma Township, Michigan, revolves around the fictional figure of Elias Friske. I sure do miss my Dad and his many stories from Bayview Al. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Shes also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. All that is required is your name and a valid email address. Gillespie was reported to have planned to spend $1,000,000 building the town, including "graded streets, cement sidewalks, business blocks and a hotel, many residences, water and lighting systems and all other modern conveniences. The bridge and dam sit about 40 miles southwest of Phoenix. Thanks. Ive never seen anything ghostly but I do get an eerie feeling when I cross the bridge at night although not as much since the old bridge was replaced with the one there now. I was raised in Bayview so I should know. When her father threw her out of the house, she jumped off the bridge. My Daddy Ronnie Flippo grew up in that camp and boy do I remember stories of Bayview Lake and the cemetery :)!!! All her books can be purchased at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. I remember driving over Bayview Bridge and looking for the ghost with my friend Amelia Latham. People began to use the lake as a dumping place for stolen cars, garbage etcBayview Lake was Drug a few times (to clean it) & several cars, cycles, appliances, etc. Bayview Bridge ca. After passing through Arlington, you'll soon arrive at the magnificent Gillespie Bridge. Bayview was the last of TCIs town-building ventures. Despite constant modernization, the Gillespie Dam Bridge remained part of mainline US80 until 1956, when a new alignment was built to the east. The bridge is not on 169 Hy. In York, Pennsylvania, many believe that a portal to Hell exists in a patch of woods near Hallam (or Hellam). The Bayview Bridge is located between the communities of Bayview & Minor, Al. The construction process however was anything but routine. This uninhabited bridge near Gillespie Dam is one such place. Since that tragic day, the bridge over Elm Creek has become a popular destination for legend trippers. Wow. The locals believe that this young lady can be seen in the area in her prom dress. A common legend trip before 2001 involved people driving across the bridge with their lights off. Weve come a long way, baby to Obama that will bankrupt us all. Scared the pee out of me! You won't regret taking the road less traveled. We have our fair share of abandoned places and ghost towns here in Arizona, each with its own unique story. The floodplain is a very turbulent one, and the Antelope Hill bridge (the original site for a bridge across the river) sustained severe damage time and again from floods. The deepest pier would reach 43 feet (13m) below the riverbed. We ran to help him, but he was dead when he hit the ground. 13 Best Things To Do In Gila Bend, Arizona - Updated 2023 I was to grown up to go to the little school so I went to the Big School, when we had a community building, TCI let us use one of the old machine shop buildings for a church, Baptist one Sunday, Methodist the next, lots of fun and a good place to live. The story is that it was built on an old Indian burial ground and forever cursed if anything else occupied the site. If you bring some fishing gear, you might get yourself a free meal. The purpose of the new route was to establish an all weather transcontinental highway through the state and two territories. But is or was it so little? Another cemetery is located between hiway 269 and Mulga Loop rd along the lake. I know because I grew up in Bayview! Apparently, she is missing her head, and she rides on top of passing vehicles in search of her missing body part as well as her date. Improvements have been made to the river bottom however. lynn Robinson February 3, 2015. April 10, 1949 a mother and her 2 daughters from Bayview went to see a movie in Ensley. I remember her. That old steel bridge,has been replaced by a shiny new concrete one. Tell him I havent abandoned him I have been married to work. I think your Mother and Aunt would be able to walk this ramp. Full day tour. She was also barefoot. Overview: Map: Directions: 45. The Arizona . Ive never seen a ghost or heard a scary sound. Do you remember? They were []. Gillespie Dam and Bridge, AZ | HikeArizona