Old Alton Bridge

Old Alton Bridge is an iron truss crossing over Hickory Creek in Denton County, Texas, linking two banks through a single-lane passage. The metal structure rests on stone piers and shows an open lattice pattern of iron beams stretching across the full length.

The King Bridge Company erected this crossing in 1884 when a reliable link between settlements north and south of the creek was needed. The structure carried traffic for over a century before closing to vehicles in 2001 and becoming a trail crossing instead.

People know this crossing as Goatman's Bridge after stories of strange happenings tied to a local goat farmer who vanished in 1938. That history draws curious visitors who come after dark hoping to experience something unusual near the old metal frame.

The structure now forms part of a trail system and allows crossing on foot or horseback, while vehicles no longer pass through. Visitors should expect the narrow passage to accommodate only single file and watch for slippery wooden planks after rain.

The iron beams show fastening techniques from the late 1800s where forged rivets hold individual components together. This construction method is rare to see today and marks the structure as a recognized example of American engineering from that era.