Emily’s Bridge: The Covered Bridge Ghost of Stowe

Gold Brook Covered Bridge, better known as Emily’s Bridge, is a historic wooden covered bridge in Stowe, Vermont, said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Emily. For over 170 years, visitors have reported supernatural encounters at the bridge—apparitions, screams, unexplained lights, and, most disturbingly, scratches appearing on vehicles that dare to stop on the bridge at night.

The Bridge

The bridge was built in 1844, one of approximately 100 covered bridges still standing in Vermont. It spans Gold Brook in a rural area outside the village of Stowe, surrounded by farmland and forest. The bridge is a Town lattice truss design, featuring the distinctive cross-hatched wooden framework typical of Vermont covered bridges.

By day, the bridge is a picturesque tourist attraction, popular with photographers and history enthusiasts. By night, it transforms into something else entirely—one of Vermont’s most active haunted sites.

The Legend of Emily

Several versions of Emily’s story exist, varying in details but sharing common elements. The most popular version holds that Emily was a young woman who fell in love with a man her family disapproved of. They planned to elope, and Emily waited for him at the covered bridge at the agreed-upon time.

He never came. Some versions say he abandoned her; others that he was killed on his way to meet her. Whatever the reason, Emily waited until she realized he would not appear. Heartbroken, she hanged herself from a rafter inside the covered bridge.

Alternative versions suggest Emily died in a wagon accident on the bridge, or that she was murdered there. The specific cause of death varies, but the result is consistent—her ghost remains at the bridge, trapped by tragedy.

Reported Phenomena

Visitors to Emily’s Bridge report a range of supernatural experiences. The most distinctive are the scratches. People who park their cars inside the bridge at night report finding long scratches on the paint when they emerge—scratches that were not present before. The marks are said to resemble fingernail gouges.

Witnesses describe hearing a young woman’s voice, sometimes calling out, sometimes crying. Footsteps cross the bridge when no one is visible. Some hear tapping on their car windows or feel the vehicle being rocked as if someone were pushing it.

Apparitions have been reported—a white figure on or near the bridge, sometimes described as a young woman in nineteenth-century dress. Photographers have captured unexplained lights and anomalies on film.

The atmosphere of the bridge is widely described as oppressive, especially after dark. Even skeptics report feeling watched or unwelcome. Animals, particularly dogs, are said to be reluctant to approach the bridge and may become agitated when forced near it.

Paranormal Investigation

Emily’s Bridge has attracted numerous paranormal investigators over the years. Teams have documented electromagnetic anomalies, recorded unexplained sounds, and captured photographs with unusual features.

Some investigators have reported communication through various means—EVP (electronic voice phenomena) sessions allegedly capture a female voice responding to questions. One investigator claimed to have been touched by an invisible presence while inside the bridge.

The consistency of reports across investigators who have no knowledge of each other’s findings is notable. The scratches on vehicles, in particular, are reported by multiple independent groups.

Historical Research

Attempts to verify Emily’s existence have produced mixed results. Vermont records from the 1840s are incomplete, and no definitive documentation of a suicide at the bridge has been found. However, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence—many deaths in rural nineteenth-century Vermont went unrecorded.

Local oral tradition consistently maintains that a tragedy occurred at the bridge and that Emily’s ghost has been seen since the nineteenth century. The legend predates the modern era of paranormal investigation, suggesting it has roots in genuine community memory.

The Scratches

The scratch phenomenon is particularly intriguing because it leaves physical evidence. Those who have experienced it describe hearing nothing while parked but finding deep scratches on their vehicles afterward. The scratches typically appear on roofs, hoods, and trunks—areas that could not be accidentally damaged by the bridge structure.

Skeptics suggest the scratches could be caused by tree branches or deliberately inflicted by pranksters. However, no branches overhang the bridge interior, and many reports come from people who witnessed no one else present.

Visits and Warnings

Emily’s Bridge is on a public road and can be visited at any time. The town of Stowe neither promotes nor discourages ghost tourism at the site. Local residents have mixed feelings about the bridge’s reputation—some embrace it as part of Stowe’s character, while others consider the ghost hunters a nuisance.

Those who visit are warned to be respectful. The bridge is a historic structure that has been damaged by vandals. Visitors are asked not to deface the bridge, leave trash, or disturb the neighbors whose properties adjoin the road.

Legacy

Emily’s Bridge represents a quintessential American ghost story—a historic location, a tragic legend, and continuing reports of supernatural activity. The combination of physical evidence (the scratches), consistent witness accounts, and the atmospheric setting make it one of New England’s most compelling haunted sites.

Whether Emily’s ghost truly haunts the bridge, or whether the legend has created an expectation that generates its own evidence, the covered bridge in Stowe continues to attract those seeking contact with the unknown. Something waits at Emily’s Bridge—and it is not friendly to visitors.