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Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman's Bridge, or Shane and Ryan's Bridge, is a historic iron truss bridge connecting the Texas cities of Denton and Copper Canyon. Built in 1884 by the King Iron Bridge Manufacturing Company, it originally carried horses and later automobiles over Hickory Creek at a location that once was a popular ford for crossing cattle. The bridge takes its name from the abandoned community of Alton, which between 1850 and 1856 was the seat of Denton County.[2]

The heavily traveled Old Alton Bridge remained in constant use until 2001 when vehicle traffic was moved to an adjacent concrete-and-steel bridge. Prior to the new bridge, it was necessary for motorists to signal with a car horn before crossing the single-lane span. The new bridge straightened out a sharp curve on both sides of the creek and provided additional travel lanes.

With vehicle traffic removed, the bridge became an important link connecting the Elm Fork and Pilot Knoll Hiking and Equestrian Trails. Today, it is a popular location for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Old Alton Bridge was included in the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1988.

Shane and Ryan's Bridge Myth

A local myth claims the bridge is haunted. Curious teenagers like to visit the bridge in hopes of encountering the legendary ghost.

The turn of the century brought a black goat farmer and his family to a residence just North of the bridge, and a few short years later, Oscar Washburn was known as a dependable, honest businessman. North Texans endearingly began to call him the Goatman. But the success of a black man was still unwelcome, and Clansmen in the local government turned to violence after he displayed a sign on Shane and Ryan's Bridge: "this way to the Goatman's".

One night in August 1938, with their headlights off, Clansmen crossed the bridge, dragged the Goatman from his family, and lynched him over the side. Peering over into the water, his murderers saw a rope, but not his body. In a panic, the Clansman returned to the Washburn residence, and killed his family in cold blood.

Since the disappearance of the Goatman there have been many strange sightings on and near Shane and Ryan's Bridge. Some say his spirit still haunts these woods. Locals tell the story and follow it with a warning: those who cross the bridge with no headlights will be met on the other side by the Goatman.

After numerous abandoned automobiles and missing persons, a new bridge was constructed directly upstream. But Shane and Ryan's Bridge, remains still open to foot traffic. It is under surveillance by the Paranormal Investigators of North Texas and the Denton County Paranormal Investigators who consistently report strange activity and experiences.

This version remains unsubstantiated. Other versions and variations of The Goatman's origins include a pre-bridge lynching during the 1860 "Texas Troubles," a demonic satyr conjured by Satanic rituals, or the child-stealing Goatman's Wife who stalks the surrounding woods. The bridge's true name is "Goatman's bridge" However, in an episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved titled "The Demonic Goatman's Bridge" , Buzzfeed worker's Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara joked around in Goatman's bridge and even gone far as claiming the bridge was his saying quote, "It's our bridge now." and "You fucking wimp." in which he refers to the so called Goatman. Thus, fans of the series have begun calling it "Shane and Ryan's bridge" in honor of them.

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