Screaming Bridge - Arlington Haunting

"It's not far. Just keep walking," Jason said. Max wasn't sure if it was worth the walk all the way out in the middle of the park. Reluctantly he kept following Jason further into the park. "Shhhh...You hear that?" The air in the park was crisp and light enough to carry a faint sound that was nearly inaudible but familiar. Chills went up Max's back. He attempted to pretend he wasn't scared. The pale look on his face said otherwise. "We're close." Jason pulled at Max's jacket sleeve with force as he dragged him closer to a secluded part of the park near the edge of a drainage ditch. Electricity could be felt in the air. River Legacy Park may be surrounded by busy streets and busy shopping centers, but here in the middle of the park Jason and Max felt they were the last two people on Earth.

"You got the straw? Please tell me you didn't forget it. That was the whole point. We bring the straw to set it on fire and see what happens."

Max trembled with fear pulling the straw from his jacket pocket. Next was the lighter. Straw was used once as kindling to set fire to the bridge that crossed over the drainage ditch. Since the road has been closed no need for a bridge. But, the story remains of the boys who burned the bridge down in 1961 causing those six girls to plummet to their death. Dying on impact. Well, three died on impact. The other half laid in that ditch for hours screaming for help. Being in the middle of nowhere makes it impossible for anyone to hear your cries for help. The survivors laid next to their dead friends until they too passed. Those boys were never punished for their crimes. For those deaths. 

Jason on Max wanted to light the straw to find out who would answer their call. The victims or the murderers. Once the straw in Max's hand caught fire the entire park roared in screaming. 

Hell on Earth.

Agony and pain could be heard coming from the ditch. Smoke filled the air. Jason and Max could no longer breathe. Holding one another as they could see the ditch was on fire. A lake of fire. Through the smoke, you could see six charred figures crawl up from the side of the ditch up on to same ground the two men were standing. Fear has a way of gluing your feet to the ground. Once the figures had their hands on the two they began dragging them with them back to where they came. Smoke filled their lungs. Even if they wanted to scream, nothing would come out. 

Their bodies were discovered two weeks later. Cause of death was determined to be unknown. Although, some say at their funerals you could smell smoke. 

Screaming Bridge

River Legacy Park is huge! I have only walked half the trails. Screaming Bridge, however, is the main attraction for paranormal investigators looking to catch EVPs. For good reason. In 1961 six teenage girls plummeted off the edge a drainage ditch. Three died on impact and the three survived. 

Turns out, four teens had burned the bridge as a "prank." I use the term prank lightly because arson is not a prank. People died. Their lawyers and prominent Arlington residents pleaded with the judge. Their crime was ruled as "boys being boys." And that because of the impact this incident made on their lives, they deserved "a new chance in life." 

Corruption? I don't doubt it. It sounds like someone was paid under the table to keep these boys from receiving the punishment they deserved.  

It's worth noting some believe the reason the boys burned the bridge was to keep the neighboring black community from entering Arlington. Could the girls have been caught in the crossfire of a hate crime? 1961 was a different time. Who's to say what their intentions were? Other than causing harm to someone.

Not the only deaths

In 1994, two women in a car tried to outrace a train. One woman knocked out of the car and the other was trapped inside burned alive. This was close to the ditch and the legend of Screaming Bridge has gone back and forth on which is the true location. River Legacy Park is the original. 

Pairs well with?

This is tough. I don't condone drinking and driving. Not saying that's what these young ladies were doing. If you do visit a Screaming Bridge, pour out some for those that lost their lives. I'm going with a 40oz of Mickeys. 

What do you think?

Possible you could still hear the screams? If you have ever visited the bridge or experienced something similar in your hometown please comment. I think every city has its own screaming bridge. Let me know about your local legend.

Enjoy your drinks with the unknown.

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