Drive-By
Drive or Walk the Bridge
Drive through or walk the historic Gold Brook Covered Bridge, Vermont's most famous haunted site.
- Duration:
- 30 min
Photo coming soon
Outdoor / Natural Site
Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge)
An 1844 Howe-truss covered bridge in Stowe, Vermont, famous statewide as the home of 'Emily,' a vengeful spirit blamed for unexplained scratches on passing cars and disembodied cries in the night.
Covered Bridge Road at Gold Brook Road, Stowe, VT 05672
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free to visit; public roadway open year-round.
Access
Limited Access
Narrow rural road and single-lane covered bridge; no sidewalks, uneven shoulder.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1844 · Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1974) · Only surviving 19th-century Vermont covered bridge built with wooden Howe trusses still carrying a public roadway · Vermont's most widely recognized haunted-folklore landmark
The Gold Brook Covered Bridge spans Gold Brook on Covered Bridge Road in the Stowe Hollow area of Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont. Built in 1844, the single-span structure measures roughly 48.5 feet long and 17 feet wide, with a roadway width of about 13.5 feet. It is distinctive among Vermont's covered bridges as the only surviving 19th-century example constructed with wooden Howe trusses that continues to carry a public roadway.
The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 for its engineering and historical significance. It remains in active use, carrying local traffic across the brook in a rural residential area south of Stowe village, reached from Route 100 via Gold Brook Road.
Despite its fame as a haunted site, the 'Emily' legend attached to the bridge has no documented historical basis. The Vermont Historical Society and other researchers have found no record of anyone named Emily dying at or near the bridge, and the story appears to have emerged in the mid-to-late 20th century rather than the 19th. A local resident, Nancy Wolfe Stead, has said she invented a version of the Emily tale to entertain and scare local youngsters, and the modern legend spread from there.
The bridge has since become one of Vermont's best-known roadside attractions and a fixture of regional ghost-tour and Halloween itineraries. It was featured on the Travel Channel paranormal series 'Most Terrifying Places in America' in an episode titled 'Cursed Towns' (2018).
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Brook_Covered_Bridge
- https://vermonthistory.org/emilys-bridge
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/emilys-bridge
Unexplained scratches or gouges on vehicles after crossing the bridgeDisembodied voice or cries heard within the covered spanWhitish glowing figure seen along the bridge at nightCold sensations and feelings of unease
According to the most-repeated version of the legend, a young woman named Emily fell in love with a man whose family opposed the match. The pair planned to meet at the covered bridge to elope, but he never came; distraught, Emily is said to have died at the bridge, and her spirit is described as an angry presence that lingers there. Per the Vermont Historical Society and Atlas Obscura, no historical record supports any such death, and a local woman, Nancy Wolfe Stead, has stated she made up a version of the story to frighten neighborhood kids; the modern legend appears to date only to the late 1960s or 1970s.
Visitors and ghost-lore writers report a consistent set of phenomena at the bridge: claw-like scratches or gouges found on cars after driving through, a strange voice or cries heard from inside the covered span, cold sensations, and a whitish glowing figure said to move along the bridge at night, as documented by Atlas Obscura, the Vermont Historical Society's coverage, and regional folklore outlets.
The bridge's reputation has been amplified by media attention, including a 2018 Travel Channel feature on 'Most Terrifying Places in America.' HauntBound presents the Emily story as enduring Vermont folklore; the historical evidence points to it as a 20th-century invention rather than a verified haunting.
Notable Entities
'Emily' (legendary, no documented historical identity)
Media Appearances
- Travel Channel, 'Most Terrifying Places in America' – 'Cursed Towns' (2018)
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Outdoor Exploration
Self-Guided Folklore Stop
A roadside stop on Stowe-area covered-bridge and ghost-lore itineraries.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge) family-friendly?
A scenic, free covered-bridge stop in daylight is family-friendly; the spooky reputation draws nighttime visitors, but the narrow road and lack of parking make after-dark visits less suitable for young children. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge)?
Free to visit; public roadway open year-round. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge) wheelchair accessible?
Emily's Bridge (Gold Brook Covered Bridge) has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Narrow rural road and single-lane covered bridge; no sidewalks, uneven shoulder..