The Eerie Tale Behind Indiana’s Most Notorious Haunted Covered Bridge
Little handprints are said to appear on the side of your car when you pass through the bridge.
The Covered Bridge Capital of the World
Did you know that Indiana is home to the covered bridge capital of the world? Less than 1,000 covered bridges are still standing today, and there are dozens left in Indiana. While there are many covered bridges to see in Indiana, one in Putnam County, Indiana is said to be haunted.
The Edna Collings Bridge
This bridge is really interesting because not only is it more than 100 years old, but it's also sometimes called the "Edna Collins Bridge" per Indiana History. However, the sign on the bridge does say "Edna Collings" so we're going to stick with the added "g" here. According to Go Putnam County, the Edna Collings Bridge was the last covered bridge built in Putnam County, as it was built in 1922.
The Legends That Surround the Edna Collings Bridge
Local legends vary slightly, but all seem to have a similar concept. A young girl by the name of Edna Collings would often swim in the creek below the bridge. Oftentimes when her parents would go into town they would drop Edna off, and on their way back they would honk 3 times on the bridge, so Edna knew it was time to head home.
Tragically one day Edna didn't respond to the horn and it was later found that Edna had drowned. It's said that being unable to bear the death of her daughter, Edna's mother took her own life on the bridge.
To this day people travel to the Edna Collings Bridge to honk their horns three times and many claim eerie things happen.
The routine you must follow to see the spirit of Edna begins with driving onto the bridge. There, turn off your engine and honk three times. If you follow the pattern of her parents, Edna is suppose to appear and try to get in the car with you. Some witnesses have found child-sized hand prints on their car and heard the laughter of a little girl nearby.
To encounter her mother, take a piece of rope supposedly hanging from the sign of a nearby church. Once on the bridge, it is said this will summon a shadowy figure.
Spooky right?? If you want to learn more about the history of the Edna Collings Bridge, you can find it through Go Putnam County, here. Many paranormal investigations have taken place at the bridge, check out one below!
READ ON: Weird, wild UFO sightings from throughout history