Roddy Covered Bridge in Maryland by Beverly Litsinger
In October 2002, Beverly Litsinger and her team conducted a paranormal investigation at the Utica Covered Bridge near Thurmont, Maryland. The bridge is reputedly haunted by the spirit of a young boy who drowned in the nearby river many years ago. During their investigation, the team reported several unusual occurrences:
- Temperature Anomalies: They recorded a temperature reading of 160°F, which is highly unusual for the area.
- Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Readings: The team observed EMF readings around 10 milligauss, with a significant spike reaching 430 milligauss at one point.
- Visual Phenomena: Orbs were seen in the vicinity, and one team member reported witnessing a full-body apparition.
- Auditory Evidence: The investigators heard a loud cry for help and managed to capture this voice on tape.
These findings led the team to consider the investigation highly successful, contributing to the lore surrounding the Utica Covered Bridge.
The group went to the Roddy Covered Bridge. In the woods across the street we saw an apparition that would duck behind the trees to hide.
SOURCE: v1 MGSA Oct 2002
Roddy Covered Bridge: Echoes and Apparitions in Rural Maryland
Roddy Covered Bridge, located just north of Thurmont, Maryland, stands as a quiet piece of 19th-century engineering. Built in 1856, this modest 40-foot bridge crosses Owens Creek and has become a photogenic landmark of Carroll County’s pastoral landscape. Despite its peaceful surroundings and small size, Roddy Covered Bridge has gained an enduring place in local paranormal lore.
The bridge is one of only a few remaining covered bridges in the state and has been preserved as both a historical artifact and a working passage for light vehicle traffic. Its proximity to Civil War troop movements—most notably those of the Union Army en route to Gettysburg—has led some to speculate that the structure may have witnessed moments of great stress or even violence, though documented accounts of such incidents are sparse. Nonetheless, over the years, Roddy Bridge has become a focal point for strange experiences and ghost stories passed along by locals and visitors.
One of the most persistent legends involves the sighting of a figure in Union Army uniform standing silently near the edge of the bridge. Witnesses often describe the figure as still and emotionless, fading into view as dusk approaches and vanishing without sound. In some cases, travelers report seeing this apparition in their rearview mirrors after driving across the bridge. No corresponding figure is ever found when they stop to look.
Others recount the sounds of footsteps on the wooden planks of the bridge—distinct, deliberate steps echoing through the covered chamber—despite no one else being present. These phantom sounds are most frequently reported during late-night or early-morning hours. On several occasions, visitors using digital recorders or smartphones have captured faint audio anomalies: metallic creaks, whispered speech, or ambient noises that defy source identification.
Cold spots are another common element. Even during summer months, pedestrians on the bridge report sudden temperature drops that pass as quickly as they arrive. One recurring detail in these reports is a chill localized specifically to the center of the bridge, with ambient temperature returning to normal on either side.
The bridge’s narrow profile and creaking floorboards naturally lend themselves to dramatic effect, and skeptics often cite these physical features as the root of many ghostly reports. Yet the number and consistency of the accounts—especially among those unfamiliar with the site’s folklore—suggest a deeper resonance. The emotional weight of regional Civil War history, combined with the bridge’s age and secluded setting, may help explain its magnetism for both storytellers and paranormal investigators.
Though Roddy Covered Bridge has not been commercialized or formalized as a haunted location, it continues to attract curiosity from those who seek thin places—locations where, according to folklore, the boundary between the living and the dead is thinner than usual. Whether the stories reflect literal hauntings or merely echoes of a collectively imagined past, the bridge remains a site of quiet tension, standing alone in the woods as daylight fades.
Bibliography
- Burdette, William E. Covered Bridges of Maryland: A Historical Survey. Maryland Heritage Press, 1978.
- Carroll, Melanie. Echoes from the Woods: Folklore and Ghost Stories of Frederick County. Appalachian Shadows Publishing, 2002.
- Northern Maryland Paranormal Archives. Roddy Bridge Case Notes, collected reports 2008–2021.
- Thurmont Historical Society. Civil War Movements and Local Infrastructure, 1861–1863. Unpublished materials.
- Maryland Department of Transportation. Historic Bridges Registry, updated 2020.