Emily's Covered Bridge in New England: Spooky Echoes of the Past

New England is known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and a wealth of folklore that has been passed down through generations. Among the many intriguing tales that spook this region, the stories of haunted covered bridges stand out as captivating and eerie. These timeworn wooden arches have witnessed centuries of history and hold secret stories about events past, but also secrets that continue to intrigue and mystify. In this post, we’ll explore one of the most notorious haunted covered bridges in New England, with its own unique history and ghostly legend.

Emily's Bridge - Stowe, Vermont

Located in Stowe, Vermont, Emily's Bridge (also known as the Gold Brook Covered Bridge) has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted bridges in New England. No ordinary bridge, Emily's Bridge has an air of mystery around it, much like the other covered bridges that make New England so famous. It could make for a perfect backdrop for a horror movie or TV show! On the surface, the bridge looks like any other bridge built during the 19th century over a brook. However, what gives away its unusualness is its very name. Who is Emily? While officially known as the Gold Brook Covered Bridge, this bridge seems to be named after someone. What kind of story is behind its peculiar name?

In 1844, Emily’s Bridge in Stowe Vermont was constructed over Gold Brook and covered with newly cut dark wood that has since been worn down by the weather. At first, when the wood was new, it would creak every time a horse-drawn wagon made its way across the bridge. One day, a young woman named Emily planned to meet her lover at the bridge to elope. But when he failed to appear, Emily was left in despair and ended it all by hanging herself from the rafters of this same bridge. Tragic as the story is, anyone who hears it for the first time can't help but feel sorrow for Emily and how her heartache affected her. However, it seems that dear Emily wasn't done with this bridge just yet.

Folks in the area began to share stories of Emily appearing at the bridge. Not just her usual sad self, but an enraged version full of vengeance and sporting long, sharp nails. We all understand why she was so mad after being wronged, but attacking moving cars? That's a bit excessive. It's like something straight out of a horror film! Any vehicle that passes over Emily’s Covered Bridge is at risk of being scratched by her huge claws, and even pedestrians who dare to cross it can be victims, as evidenced by the marks they carry on their backs. Despite the passage of time, Emily refuses to forgive or forget.

To this very day, blogs and websites still tell stories about recent hauntings and sightings of poor Emily, who wanders the dark lane late at night near where she died. What is surprising about all of this is that Emily hadn’t thought about waylaying the guy who scorned her and giving him a piece of her mind along with some scratches. That would have been the logical thing to do. But as we now know, ghosts are not always particularly logical people… er… apparitions…

If you are a paranormal enthusiast and want to explore haunted places, a visit to Emily’s Bridge in Stowe, VT will get your blood pumping. A brief Google search will deliver options for lodging in the area.

For the brave at heart, Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge) is located on Covered Bridge Rd, Stowe, VT 05672