Haunted America: The Ghosts of Stowe, Vermont

Every state in the United States has had one or more experiences with the supernatural, but some states are frequented by paranormal events more so then others. Population, areas of interest, and the age of a state can make a big difference when it comes to the amount of ghostly sightings reported within a state. Other factors can include a large amount of murders, premature burial, unfinished business, unusual or unexpected deaths, and the remaining reasons will probably remain a mystery until we can actually learn to converse openly with spirits and they can tell us why they choose to lurk in specific areas.

According to surveys, statistics, and reports documented by professional ghost hunters, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, California, Massachusetts, Florida and Texas hold the current titles for being some of the most haunted states in the U.S. However some of the smaller states like Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island and Vermont have a considerable amount of reported ghost sightings, mind boggling legends and haunted tales. And while Vermont isn't at the top of the list for being the most haunted city in Vermont, it has a few resident ghost stories that will scare even the toughest of souls.

The most spine tingling and creepy places that ghost hunters will find the most appealing when it comes to Vermont's spirit world range from an anxious poltergeist pelting rain stones on a Pownal farm and a ghostly door that appears and vanishes in the small town of Rhygate, Vermont; but one of the most popular paranormal oddities by far just may be Emily's famous bridge aka the Gold Brook Bridge located in Stowe, Vermont.

Warnings shouldn't be taken lightly when it comes to crossing this bridge, especially at night. You will be shaken until your teeth rattle according to the few innocent victims who have fell prey to the wrath of the angry bridge that is constantly being watched over by the ghost of Emily. Most are easily lured in by the serene beauty that encases the bridge and the landscape that surrounds it, but this is nothing but a sugar coated trap to get you to cross the beautiful historic weathered boards that masquerade the lovely bridge from the actual fear-fest that it really is, and for those that scare easily when it comes to dealing personally with the spirit world, this is not the bridge to take your leisurely walk on.

Local legend surrounds the bridges mysterious happenings with everything from strange lights appearing out of nowhere to screams and inaudible talking to clawed passengers and horse that have dared to cross Emily's bridge, and nightfall only brings out the worst possible entity that you can imagine; appearing in the form of black nothingness yet wielding razor sharp claws that promptly attack human flesh. Orbs are nothing new to the bridge, and the ghost of Emily has been witnessed by hundreds of spectators. She has even been caught on film, but most photos develop with streaks or are very faint. The sight of Emily is at best dreadful. She wreaks havoc on literally everyone that dares to cross her path.

The legend of Emily dates back to over 150 years ago when the pregnant young woman was abandoned by her handsome playboy lover. Emily was from a well to do family that would never have agreed to her marrying the likes of a fast talking swindler that swept the young woman off of her feet. Desperate, scared and not wanting to deal with her father's strong arm of punishments once he found out the truth, it is believed that she hung herself from the bridge to hide her wrong doing from her family.

Various paranormal societies and investigators have documented stories from people who have personally met with Emily's vengeful anger, and on one of these accounts Emily's ghost continually circled a local couples vehicle like a caged animal while shaking it uncontrollably. The girl eventually got out of the vehicle and ran all the way home. She claims that she caught a glimpse of an angry woman with eyes that appeared like small black holes that penetrated right into your very soul with a warning to leave or die.

Photography equipment, EMF readings and sound recordings have a way of malfunctioning when paranormal investigators and avid ghost hunters attempt to use them to catch Emily on film or audio, and unexplained disturbances from grunting, objects rubbing the sides of the bridge, footsteps and unexplained voices have always managed to partake in these past investigations. The experts were left with no other answer other than the bridge was plain and simply infested by an angry spirit.

The X-Project Magazine was invited to a recent ghost hunt at Emily's bridge in Stowe, Vermont, and found that even though Emily never appeared many other things happened. Orbs were apparent just about everywhere you looked, and cameras magically turned off by themselves. When walking away from the bridge their equipment worked well, but at the bridge it ran like dime store equipment that ran through batteries by the minute.

Location & Facts:

Emily's Covered Truss Bridge is 49 feet long and was built in 1844. According to www.10best.com, the site that is the go to place for travel destinations that simply rock, Emily's bridge is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the area that captures the quintessential charm that New England is well known for. To get to this legendary haunted bridge, travel 1.8 miles south of junction VT108 on VT100, then travel 1.3 miles after turning left on Gold Brook Road; then turn left onto the creepiest covered bridge that you will ever have the privilege of visiting.

Sources:

www.hauntedamericatours.com/haunted/mosthaunted.php

www.vermonter.com/weird-vermont.asp

http://www.xprojectmagazine.com/archives/paranormal/emilysbridge.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Brook_Covered_Bridge