The Haunted Moore’s Crossing Bridge

Built in 1884 By Builder/Contractor King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, the historical Moore’s Crossing Bridge spans a total of 534 feet with the main structure spanning 150 feet. It sits 68 feet above Onion Creek.

The original location of this bridge was actually over the Colorado River on Congress Ave in Austin. In the early 1900’s it was dismantled and placed in storage until it found it’s new home here in Moore’s Crossing over Onion Creek.

Apparently what makes this bridge unique is the fact that it is an extremely rare example of a multi-span Whipple truss bridge and that it is a pin-connected, 19th-century truss bridge built in a major urban city.

I really have no idea what any of that means, I just happen to love the beauty of old bridges, plus apparently, this one is haunted (I mean aren’t they all, lol). So, I got a two for one!

This structure was originally part of a six-span bridge across the Colorado River at Congress Avenue in Austin. Constructed there in 1884, it was designed by the King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1910 it was dismantled and placed in storage. Five years later three spans were rebuilt here but destroyed the same year in a flood. The current bridge, comprised of the remaining spans, was completed in 1922. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 1980

Legend has it that a white man was hung by a mob because of a forbidden love affair with a black woman. Legend has it that after midnight you can see the man hanging from the crossbeam and that below a shadow of a female figure is seen looking up in the direction of the body.

Others have also said that they have witnessed people walking across the bridge in period clothing and then vanishing.

While cars are no longer allowed on the bridge (it is blocked off), witnesses say you can hear the sound of old cars crossing the bridge.

We didn’t experience anything paranormal at the Moore’s Crossing Bridge, but with anything old, we did get that weird uneasy feeling. I guess I would really classify it as uneasy as more of a somber feeling.

Anyway, the bridge is absolutely beautiful and it is just a short walk from the parking area of the park. When we went (summer day) we had the bridge to ourselves to explore.

The Moore’s Crossing Bridge is located within Richard Moya Park just to the west of the Moore’s Crossing Historic area of Austin on Burleson Rd. It is at the southernmost end of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and a great place to watch planes take off as well.

Address: 10001 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78719

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Parking: There is plenty of parking and if you park in the wrong spot you are in for a much longer walk. If you are coming from the I35 / 183 direction instead of turning into the main turn-in for the park, go to the second turn-in and use that parking (the two parking areas DO NOT connect within the park).

Bring a lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch near the bridge and watch planes take off and land =)

Photographers: While this is an absolutely beautiful bridge and would make for a great photoshoot, remember this is in Austin and Austin requires permits and jumping through a ton of hoops in order to do a photoshoot anywhere in Austin. Make sure you have the required permits to do so as the cops do frequent out here and you risk both you and your client receiving tickets!