The Legend:
A mother took her two young children for a drive, believing they were possessed by the devil. She drove off the bridge into the river, killing everyone in the car. If you sit on the bridge, roll down your windows, and honk three times, you may hear children yelling, “Don’t do it, Mother!”
The History of Cry Baby Bridges
Cry Baby Bridges are a common urban legend across the United States, with each location adding its own twist. Most versions involve a grieving mother who, in desperation, kills her child by throwing them off a bridge or driving into the water. Some stories, like the Cry Baby Bridge Utah legend, blame an abusive husband, mental illness, or supernatural forces like demonic possession. Despite their differences, they all share one eerie claim. If you visit the bridge at night, you may hear a baby crying, see ghostly figures, or experience paranormal activity.
While these legends are widespread, documented evidence to support them is rare. In many cases, the stories evolve from real tragedies—car accidents, drownings, or even suicides. But over time, the details shift, and fact becomes folklore. Some historians believe these stories come from older ghost tales or past cases of infanticide exaggerated into legend. Whether based on truth or fiction, Cry Baby Bridge stories, including the Cry Baby Bridge Utah legend, continue to fascinate ghost hunters and folklore enthusiasts.
The History:
I’ve heard stories of various Cry Baby Bridges across the United States but didn’t know Utah had one. I discovered it while reading an article about haunted spots across the state. Bear River City isn’t far from where I live. Since it was Halloween, I figured it was the perfect time to visit the infamous Cry Baby Bridge Utah.
We got to the bridge and saw it had been closed off some time ago. A new bridge stood beside the old one. Thankfully, they left the old bridge standing. After climbing through some brush, we saw the bridge stretched out before us.
It quickly became clear why the bridge had been abandoned. Made of steel, the bridge had holes every few feet, some large enough for a foot to slip through. Rust covered the bridge. We looked for any indication of a car going off the edge of the bridge. While it would’ve been easy enough to repair the bridge, there were no areas that we could see that showed any signs of previous damage.
Searching for the Truth
When we got home, I figured a mother dying by suicide and murdering her children would have been a major story. Bear River City is tiny, so it would have made big news.
I searched the internet and newspapers for any mention of a major car accident, accidental deaths, murder, or suicide in Bear River. Finding nothing, I expanded my search to Corinne, Tremonton, and Brigham City. But still, nothing.
Then I found a May 16, 1931, article with the headline: “Driver Freed of Blame in Bridge Death.” While the story didn’t involve a mother killing her children, it was still incredibly tragic.
On the morning of Friday, May 16, 1931, a four-year-old-boy by the name of Ellis Anderson was playing near the bridge while his father was working in a nearby field. A mail carrier was crossing the bridge when a dog darted in front of his car. He swerved to avoid the dog but lost control, striking Ellis and throwing him off the bridge into the river below. His father pulled his body from the river. The medical examiner stated he was dead at the time of his arrival on the scene. The mail carrier later said he hadn’t seen the little boy chasing the dog. Another article says that the driver struck both Ellis and a 12-year-old companion by the name of Norman. The article didn’t mention Norman’s condition, but he apparently survived.
Could This Be the Origin of the Legend?
This wasn’t the tragedy I expected to uncover, but it makes me wonder. Could this be the real event behind Bear River City’s Cry Baby Bridge legend? Stories like these often evolve over time, blending fact with folklore. Have you ever visited a Cry Baby Bridge or heard a similar legend? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below or share your own eerie experiences of Cry Baby Bridge Utah!
0 comments
I grew up in Bear River and never knew the “Cry Baby Bridge” legend extended outside of the small town. I’m really digging this blog!
Thank you, glad you like it!
I did some research for a lady on two young boys who drowned in that river in the late 1800s. One boys name was Tommy Sears and he was from Corinne. I found an article on it in an early Corinne newspaper. There’s always been spooky stories about that bridge.
Do U have a link to the article? I would love to read it
Interesting. Ellis is my uncle. My mother was born after Ellis’s death.
I’m also related to Ellis. He’s my grandmother’s brother. She’s the sister that was mentioned in the article. We heard this story a LOT growing up. A lot about the bridge. It’s really surreal to see the bridge I’ve heard about so much and the original article. Thank you for posting this.
if grandma would have known that this tragic story had turned into an urban legend ghost story with the mother in the story a murderer, I think she would have been truly offended.
This is the kind of tragedy that stays with a family for generations. To our family it is a sacred memory and not a ghost story. Next week I will place flowers on little Ellis’s grave and retell the story to my kids. I remember my father introducing me to the man who had survived the accident as a child. He did indeed survive and as I heard the story was saved by his suspenders dangling over the river.
I used to drive over this bridge on a regular occasion in the 90’s. We would drive tractors and such over it and it would bounce up and down, I watched a piece of the road drop through into the river as I was driving across one time. I loved that bridge, it was a rush to drive through. There was barely enough room for a tractor and if any cars wanted to cross, you’d have to wait for whoever was on the bridge to get across first. It’s not wide enough for two car traffic.
I visited this bridge. I can tell you the spot where it happened. The cold spot and the feel of sadness. Thanks for the read
I grew up in Brigham City and had grandparents in Bear River I had never heard this Legend before.Now I spend most of my free time traveling the world staying in haunted hotels and visiting haunted spots then blogging about them.I came across your blog by accident and found this post to be particularly interesting. I will definitely check out this bridge the next time I make a trip home.