Jericho Covered Bridge Ghost Gets A plus for Penmanship by Suzan Kerpentoglu
Jericho Covered Bridge in Harford County has a dark history of hangings and fiery accidents—and it seems the ghosts haven’t lost their voice. During a summer visit, Suzan Kerpentoglu and friends noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but the real surprise came later: photos revealing mysterious writing on the ground. Magnified, one word appeared to be “Boo,” and others seemed almost Latin. With no memory of ground markings at the time, the question lingers—was it a ghostly attempt to communicate? The bridge’s chilling past blends seamlessly with its knack for supernatural intrigue, keeping visitors—and skeptics—guessing.
I had a strange phenomena occur at the Jericho Covered Bridge in Harford County. The Bridge is supposedly haunted. Black slaves were hung by the rafters in the 1800’s, and these ghosts have been spotted on the bridge. A young girl burned to death when the kerosene lamp fell over in the wagon she was riding in.
My two friends and I visited the bridge on a hot summer day in July. As I walked through the bridge I spoke to any ghosts that may have been present. I received no response nor any kind of sign from them. We were not really on a official ghost investigation. We were enjoying the scenery, soaking up the sun.
That day there was a reenactment of the Civil War days with 3 men dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers, and they rode through the bridge on horseback. It took you right back to those times. I was very observant of the surroundings, still hoping to see some sign of a ghost. At least I was able to experience the bridge rather than just reading about it.
A few days later I had gotten the film developed that I took, and there was some strange phenomena indeed! On the ground was some writing. You could only read it with a magnifying glass, but all the words could not be deciphered. It looked like one word was Boo, believe it or not. I do not remember any writing on the ground when the picture was taken. Neither do my friends, and my one friend is very observant.
Could this have been ghosts communicating with us? What were they trying to say?
There is no other logical explanation. What’s ironic is I consider myself a writer, and the ghost, or ghosts, chose to communicate to us by writing. What a great choice. There’s a saying, didn’t you see the writing on the wall? In this case, we did not see the writing on the ground. I just wish I could understand the message. I don’t recognize the words. My one friend thinks it’s Latin. I plan to return to see what else turns up.
SOURCE: v5 MGSA Oct 2005
Ghosts with a Flair for Drama: The Hauntings of Jericho Covered Bridge
Harford County’s Jericho Covered Bridge isn’t just a picturesque throwback to the past—it’s a hotspot for supernatural shenanigans that’d make a noir detective double-check his fedora. Beneath the wooden beams and historic charm lies a history steeped in tragedy, mystery, and ghostly antics that’ll send shivers down your spine. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a stage where the spirits still perform.
A History Written in Shadows
This bridge has seen it all: tragic hangings, fiery accidents, and a whole lot of unspoken secrets. Built in the 19th century, the bridge is rumored to have hosted more than just travelers. From lynchings to wagon accidents, Jericho Covered Bridge carries the weight of its dark history—and the ghosts who refuse to let it go. Locals whisper that if you stop and listen closely, you might hear the faint creak of phantom ropes or the echoes of long-lost cries.
The Penmanship of the Paranormal
In one of the bridge’s more bizarre twists, Suzan Kerpentoglu and her ghost-hunting crew stumbled upon a spooky surprise. After snapping photos on a summer evening, they reviewed the shots and found mysterious writing on the ground—words that hadn’t been there before. One clearly said “Boo,” while others looked like they belonged in a dusty Latin textbook. Was it a ghostly prank or a spectral SOS? Either way, the bridge proved it’s got a flair for the dramatic.
Shadows and Flames
The ghostly activity doesn’t stop with cryptic messages. Some visitors have reported seeing spectral figures hanging from the rafters, a haunting nod to the bridge’s darker days. Others have claimed to witness the fiery ghost of a wagon accident, complete with a spectral girl stepping out of the flames like a chilling apparition from an old-time thriller. It’s the kind of scene that makes you question reality—and maybe reach for a stiff drink after.
A Bridge to the Other Side
Jericho Covered Bridge isn’t just a slice of history—it’s a portal to a world where the past and present collide. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, one thing’s certain: this bridge has stories to tell, and they’re not for the faint of heart. From ghostly penmanship to fiery apparitions, the hauntings here are as vivid as they are chilling.
So next time you’re in Harford County, take a detour to Jericho Covered Bridge. Just don’t forget your camera—you never know when a ghost might want to leave you a message.