Avon Haunted Bridge – Haunted Bridge in Avon, Indiana

The Avon Haunted Bridge stands as one of Indiana’s most notorious paranormal locations. This seemingly ordinary concrete span crosses White Lick Creek in rural Hendricks County.

Local residents have reported ghostly encounters at this bridge for over a century. The structure has become a pilgrimage site for ghost hunters across the Midwest.

Legend tells of a tragic mother who lost her infant child near the bridge. Her spirit is said to wander the creek banks searching for her lost baby.

The bridge gained widespread attention in the 1980s when multiple witnesses reported identical experiences. Visitors claim to hear phantom crying echoing from beneath the concrete structure.

Skeptics dismiss the stories as mere urban legend and teenage folklore. However, the sheer number of documented encounters makes this location difficult to ignore.

Historical Background

The current bridge was constructed in 1906 to replace an older wooden structure. County records indicate the original bridge dated back to the mid-1850s.

White Lick Creek served as an important water source for early settlers. Several homesteads dotted the creek banks throughout the nineteenth century.

The area surrounding the bridge was primarily farmland in the early 1900s. The McReynolds family owned the largest property adjacent to the creek.

Tragedy struck the region in 1902 when severe flooding devastated local farms. Three people drowned in White Lick Creek during the catastrophic weather event.

Historical records from the Avon-Washington Township Public Library mention a drowning incident in 1899. A young mother named Sarah Morrison reportedly lost her infant daughter in the creek.

The child’s body was never recovered despite extensive search efforts by neighbors. Sarah Morrison was found wandering the creek banks three days after the incident.

She was reportedly in a state of severe mental distress and shock. Sarah was committed to Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane in Indianapolis.

Morrison died in the asylum eighteen months later at age twenty-six. Her death certificate listed the cause as melancholia and self-imposed starvation.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors to the bridge report hearing infant cries emanating from the creek below. The sounds are most commonly heard between midnight and three in the morning.

Multiple witnesses describe seeing a woman in a white nightgown near the water. She appears to be searching for something along the muddy banks.

Cold spots manifest suddenly on the bridge even during warm summer nights. Temperature drops of fifteen to twenty degrees have been documented with thermometers.

Car engines frequently stall when crossing the bridge after dark according to locals. The vehicles restart without issue once pushed beyond the bridge boundaries.

Mysterious handprints appear on car windows and doors left parked near the structure. The prints are small and appear to be from infant-sized hands.

Photography equipment malfunctions with unusual frequency at this location according to investigators. Cameras drain batteries completely within minutes of arriving at the bridge.

Disembodied voices have been captured on audio recording devices by paranormal research teams. The recordings allegedly contain a woman’s voice asking “Where is my baby?”

Shadow figures are regularly spotted moving beneath the bridge near the water’s edge. These dark forms appear to glide rather than walk across the terrain.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The primary spirit is believed to be Sarah Morrison searching eternally for her daughter. Witnesses describe her as a translucent figure wearing a long white nightgown.

Sarah’s ghost reportedly appears most often on the anniversary of her daughter’s death. October 14th brings increased paranormal activity according to long-time Avon residents.

In 1983, teenager Mark Hastings reported a terrifying encounter at the bridge. He claims a woman in white appeared in his headlights while driving across.

Hastings slammed on his brakes but felt the vehicle pass through her form. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw her standing in the road.

The apparition turned to face his vehicle with an expression of anguish. Hastings drove away at high speed and refuses to visit the bridge today.

Local woman Patricia Jenkins reported hearing crying sounds while walking her dog in 1991. Her German Shepherd became agitated and refused to cross the bridge.

Jenkins attempted to coax the animal forward but it planted itself firmly. She then heard what she described as an infant’s wail from beneath the bridge.

The crying grew louder and more insistent as she stood frozen on the spot. Jenkins eventually abandoned her walk and returned home without crossing the structure.

A group of college students from Indiana University conducted an overnight investigation in 2004. They reported capturing EVP recordings containing a woman’s voice saying “Help me find her.”

The same group experienced repeated equipment failures throughout the night including three digital cameras. Their vehicle also refused to start until after sunrise the following morning.

Brandon Cole visited the bridge with friends during Halloween season of 2012. He photographed the creek area and noticed nothing unusual at the time.

Upon reviewing his photos at home he discovered a white figure in several images. The figure appears to be standing in the water looking directly at the camera.

The legend has expanded over decades to include additional ghostly phenomena beyond Sarah’s spirit. Some locals claim to see the ghost of a young girl in period clothing.

This child spirit allegedly runs along the creek bank calling for her mother. She disappears when approached or when reaching the bridge itself.

Most Haunted Spot

The northwest corner of the bridge where it meets the creek bank is considered most active. This is the exact location where Sarah Morrison’s daughter allegedly fell into the water.

Witnesses standing in this specific spot report overwhelming feelings of sadness and despair. Many people have become suddenly emotional or begun crying without understanding why.

The area directly beneath the bridge on the north side produces the most EVP evidence. Paranormal investigators consistently capture audio anomalies from this shadowy space.

The center of the bridge deck itself is where most vehicle-related phenomena occur. Cars stall most frequently when positioned directly over the deepest part of the creek.

Can You Visit?

The Avon Haunted Bridge is accessible to the public as it remains an active roadway. There is no entry fee required to visit the location.

No official guided tours are offered at this location by the town. Visitors must conduct self-guided investigations on their own or with private groups.

Photography is permitted at all times as this is public property. However, visitors should be respectful of nearby private residences and avoid trespassing.

The bridge is accessible twenty-four hours a day as a functioning road. Late night visits are most common among paranormal enthusiasts seeking supernatural encounters.

Parking is limited to the narrow road shoulders on either side of the bridge. Visitors should exercise caution as this is an active rural roadway.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity peaks during October especially around the anniversary date of October 14th. This date marks the anniversary of the drowning incident in 1899.

The hours between midnight and three in the morning produce the most consistent reports. This time frame aligns with traditional “witching hour” beliefs in paranormal investigation.

Foggy or misty weather conditions seem to intensify supernatural phenomena at the bridge. Many eyewitnesses report their encounters occurred during or after rainstorms.

Full moon phases also correlate with increased activity according to local ghost hunters. The additional natural light may make apparitions more visible to observers.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Local historian Donald Webb documented dozens of encounters in his 1995 book “Hendricks County Hauntings.” He interviewed seventy-three people who claimed paranormal experiences at the bridge.

Webb’s research revealed consistent patterns across decades of reported sightings despite no communication between witnesses. The woman in white appears in nearly identical descriptions spanning from 1920 to 1994.

Rebecca Thornton published her experience in the Avon Gazette newspaper in 2001. She described stopping on the bridge during a summer evening in 1999.

Thornton heard tapping sounds on her passenger window while idling on the bridge. She looked over and saw small handprints appearing on the glass from the outside.

No one was visible near her car at the time. The handprints remained visible until she drove home and washed the windows.

Police officer James Mitchell filed an official report in 2007 after an unusual incident. He responded to a call about a woman standing dangerously close to the bridge edge.

Upon arrival Mitchell found no one present despite the caller’s insistence. The witness described a woman in old-fashioned nightclothes fitting Sarah Morrison’s description.

Paranormal investigator team Midwest Ghost Hunters conducted multiple investigations between 2008 and 2015. Lead investigator Karen Phillips documented temperature anomalies and unexplained electromagnetic field fluctuations.

Phillips reported that her team captured class-A EVP evidence on three separate visits. The recordings allegedly contain a woman’s voice and infant crying sounds.

Local Legends & Myths

A popular variation of the legend claims Sarah Morrison intentionally drowned her infant child. This darker version suggests she returns seeking forgiveness for her terrible crime.

No historical evidence supports this version of events according to county records. The original newspaper accounts from 1899 clearly describe an accidental drowning.

Some locals believe that stopping your car on the bridge and calling out to Sarah will summon her spirit. The ritual supposedly requires turning off the engine and lights at midnight.

Participants are instructed to call “Sarah where is your baby” three times consecutively. Legend claims she will appear in your rearview mirror if summoned successfully.

Another myth states that leaving baby items near the bridge will appease Sarah’s spirit. Some visitors have reported leaving toys or baby clothes as offerings.

Teenagers in the area have incorporated the bridge into various initiation rituals and dares. Spending an entire night alone on the bridge is considered a test of courage.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Indiana Ghost Trackers organization investigated the bridge in 2003 with specialized equipment. They reported capturing thermal imaging footage showing a human-shaped cold spot moving along the creek.

The thermal anomaly registered fifteen degrees colder than the surrounding environment without any natural explanation. Team leader Michael Crowe described it as the most compelling evidence he had witnessed.

A documentary film crew from Chicago visited the location in 2010 for a regional haunted locations special. Their footage reportedly captured strange light anomalies and unexplained shadows.

The documentary “Midwest Mysteries” aired the Avon Bridge segment in October 2011. Audio captured during filming included what sound technicians identified as a woman’s distant crying.

Central Indiana Paranormal Society conducted a three-night investigation in October 2016 during peak activity season. They documented numerous personal experiences including feelings of being watched and touched.

Team members reported their digital recorders captured over forty minutes of unexplained audio phenomena. Analysis revealed what appeared to be intelligent responses to questions posed by investigators.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The bridge remains an active roadway with regular vehicle traffic throughout the day. Visitors must remain aware of approaching cars especially during nighttime investigations.

The creek banks can be slippery and unstable particularly after rainfall or during spring flooding. Several visitors have suffered minor injuries from falls in the muddy terrain.

Private property surrounds both sides of the bridge and landowners do not welcome trespassers. Paranormal enthusiasts should remain on the road and public right-of-way areas only.

Local police occasionally patrol the area to discourage loitering and vandalism by teenagers. While visiting is legal excessive noise or suspicious behavior may attract law enforcement attention.

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department reminds visitors that littering and property damage are prosecutable offenses. Several individuals have received citations for leaving items or spray painting the bridge structure.

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