Pennsylvania is home to more than just charming covered bridges, thanks to its fascinating history and stunning scenery. One of its best-kept secrets is the Van Sant Bridge, an unassuming building with a terrifying history underneath. As we delve into the eerie legend of this old bridge, get ready to be both captivated and unnerved.
History of Van Sant Bridge
The Pidcock Creek bridge dates back to 1875. There are however other legends that claim it is a well-known hangout for horse thieves. It’s interesting to note that Bowman’s Hill Tower, another haunted place, is located in New Hope.
Constructed in Bucks County between 1929 and 1931, Bowman’s Hill offers an impressive vantage point across the Delaware River valley.
It was constructed in remembrance of the location of Washington Crossing, where Washington’s army crossed the Delaware River in 1776 before the Battle of Trenton.
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Possible theories about the bridge’s haunted tale
The Legend
According to the story, a young woman became unwed mother many years ago. She was abandoned by her family, which left her alone and in despair. She brought her newborn to the neighboring Van Sant Bridge after giving delivery.
She tragically hung herself from the rafters of the bridge after throwing her child into the lake under the moonlight. Her agonized cries reverberated across the night, leaving the bridge perpetually haunted.
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The Haunting
All the variations of this myth tell the same story in essentially the same ways. At the bridge, one or more children met an awful end, and their ghosts now haunt the area.
Both the wail of the abandoned baby and the scratching of the hanging woman’s toes on automobile tops are reported as ghostly cries by visitors. Some even think they see the mother herself, in a state of torture.
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The Fox Theory
It’s possible that the sobbing noises are not otherworldly after all, according to one daring ghost hunter. Rather, they believe them to be the local red foxes.
For those looking for a spine-tingling encounter, the Van Sant Bridge never fails to enthrall, whether it’s with its ghostly howls or fox sounds.
What did visitors experience?
A baby’s cries have been heard by several visitors, and they have also claimed to have seen an apparition hanging from the rafters or, occasionally, a hazy figure hovering just underwater.
Photographers have documented several floating orbs—tiny, luminous globes that are invisible to the human eye but that may be recorded on camera—with their cameras.
If you seek ghosts, you are well-versed in the appearance of orbs. A few investigators have also recorded the baby’s cries on voice memos, only realizing the unsettling noises after they got home and listened to the tapes again.
To Conclude
The next time you’re driving through Pennsylvania’s picturesque countryside, consider making a detour to the Van Sant Bridge. This bridge offers a special fusion of history and legend, whether you hear a lonely whisper of the wind or a heartbreaking wail.
Remember to bring your camera to record any possibly paranormal evidence, or crank up the radio to block out any odd noises if you wish to test the legend at night!
