South Carolina's Haunted Poinsett Bridge

Apparitions, mists, and eerie lights plague this historic bridge in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. 

Deep in the heart of northern Greenville County, lies Poinsett Bridge, a historic landmark steeped in history and legend. The arched stone structure is the oldest surviving bridge in South Carolina and a popular spot for tourists and locals. But it's not just the impressive history and design that make Poinsett Bridge so intriguing - it's the ghostly tales surrounding it.

Built in 1820, Poinsett Bridge once served as a vital link on the State Road, connecting Charleston and Columbia with the mountain communities of North Carolina. Today, the bridge stretches 130 feet over Little Gap Creek and is part of the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. Historians attribute the bridge’s unique 14-foot Gothic arch design to Robert Mills, the mastermind behind the iconic Washington Monument. Joel Poinsett, an early Greenville resident, serves as the bridge’s namesake. Joel was a U.S. ambassador to Mexico and introduced poinsettias to the United States.

Haunted Poinsett Bridge

While Poinsett Bridge is picturesque and peaceful by day, unexplained noises and lights spook those who visit at night. According to local legend, a translucent figure floats along the top of the bridge and then fades into the darkness. Rattling chains, footsteps, and disembodied wails mingle with the sound of the rushing creek. 

So, who is behind the haunting? One theory is a murdered slave, though the circumstances of his demise vary. Some storytellers claim the slave was part of the bridge construction crew and that overseers beat him to death for dallying. Others say the slave died by hanging. Another legend attributes the haunting to an escaped slave who perished near the bridge. 

Other legends claim a mason who died during the bridge’s construction is behind the haunting. Laborers entombed the mason inside the bridge, perhaps to conceal evidence of a crime or a deadly accident. Now the trapped man’s spirit appears under the bridge’s arch before disappearing into the elaborate stonework. Is the mason trying to draw attention to his entombed corpse or to the quality of his work?

Native American spirits?

The theories behind Poinsett Bridge’s hauntings don’t end there. Some locals believe the bridge sits atop a Native American burial ground, and the spirits of the dead haunt the area. The faint sounds of drumming and chanting reportedly drift down from the surrounding forest. Generations of Cherokees lived in the area before the U.S. government forced them out. Could the strange sounds be the echoes of ancient rituals or the spirits of homesick natives? One clairvoyant with a paranormal investigation group sensed the commanding presence of an Indian shaman.

Mysterious lights

And then there are the balls of light that lurk around the bridge. The glowing orbs typically appear in photos but witnesses have also seen them in person. The lights come in all colors, sometimes white or yellow, other times red or green. They may hover above the bridge or the small parking lot across the street. Perhaps it’s the lights that mess with people’s vehicles after dark. Many visitors attempting to leave have trouble starting their engines. Some people believe paranormal activity is behind the lights. Others suggest simpler causes like headlights, flashlights, fireflies, or moonlight reflecting in the creek.

Over the years, many paranormal investigation teams have tried to capture evidence of ghostly happenings at Poinsett Bridge. One team noted unexplained red and white lights near the bridge, while a photo revealed a “mist of man-sized proportion.” That same team recorded an EVP that sounded like a human heartbeat.

Whether you believe in the supernatural or just enjoy a good ghost story, the Poinsett Bridge is sure to capture your imagination