In the woods in South Carolina, yet not far from a main road, sits the oldest bridge in the state – and possibly on the East Coast. The 130-foot structure was built in 1820 and is said to have been designed by the same architect that designed the Washington Monument: Robert Mills. At the center of the bridge is a striking 14-foot gothic arch that you can only get a real sense for when experiencing it first-hand. And there’s another thing you can only sense first hand: the strange paranormal activity that seems to permeate the area around the old bridge.
The bridge was constructed to connect a road from Columbia to Saluda Mountain. It was closed to vehicular traffic decades ago.
TripAdvisor/Veronesi413
It’s part of a larger preserve that spans 120 acres, but it’s the surrounding six acres that are rumored to be the most haunted.
TripAdvisor/NaCl1
The park is maintained by the SCDNR and is open to the public for free. It is a peaceful spot located in a beautiful park setting. But not everyone feels a sense of comfort when visiting the old relic.
TripAdvisor/Diane D
The tales of hauntings at Poinsett Bridge usually involve nightfall, or a period well after dark.
Flickr/shilo2006
People who’ve visited, both day and night, have captured mysterious orbs in their photos. Orbs are known in the paranormal community as a constantly moving energy form, usually associated with ghostly or paranormal activity.
Flickr/Joyarogers
Some have reported feeling the touch of a ghostly hand while at the bridge.
Flickr/bethany actually
And others have said that even at night, they’ve seen white figures moving about the property. Still others, report once they turn off their car in the parking lot, it simply won’t start again.
Flickr/Simone Stefanini • 6 •
Several paranormal research teams have trekked into the preserve at night to do investigations. One recent investigation yielded 400 photos and 100 of them reportedly had some kind of unexplained abnormality thought to be paranormal.
Flickr/PRONathan Eaton Jr.
A recent list published by INSIDER magazine, named South Carolina’s Poinsett Bridge as among the 40 Most Haunted Places In The US. It is located on Callahan Mountain Road in Landrum, South Carolina.
TripAdvisor/Veronesi413
TripAdvisor/NaCl1
TripAdvisor/Diane D
Flickr/shilo2006
Flickr/Joyarogers
Flickr/bethany actually
Flickr/Simone Stefanini • 6 •
Flickr/PRONathan Eaton Jr.
Have you experienced anything unusual at the bridge? Feel free to join the discussion!
For more haunted places in South Carolina, check out this Haunted Places Road Trip.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, County Rd 42, Landrum, SC 29356, USA
