New England Legends Podcast · Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger

FtV – The Ghost Who Built a Bridge

·22 min·2 clips

Jeff and Ray reveal they're hunting a ghost who built a bridge in Vermont.

This "From the Vault" episode of the New England Legends Podcast revisits the story of a ghost credited with constructing a bridge in Burlington, Vermont. Hosts Jeff and Ray provide new commentary on this classic tale from their archive. The episode originally aired on June 3rd, 2021. The hosts are physically driving through Burlington's Lakeside Avenue area near Lake Champlain. They reference a previous episode about Champy, the purported lake monster of that lake. Their current search focuses on a specific ghost story near the old Queen City Cotton Mill site. The location is marked by a large, surviving brick smokestack from that mill. The legend centers on a railroad underpass located just past this smokestack. Local folklore claims this particular underpass was not built by human labor. The ghost is said to have undertaken the construction of this bridge or underpass alone. The story implies the ghost performed this physical labor to achieve some unresolved purpose. This tale represents a specific type of New England legend involving supernatural assistance with public works. The narrative explores why a spirit might be compelled to build a structure for the living. A surprising element is the ghost's choice of a practical, civic-minded task rather than a typical haunting. The story suggests a ghost's attachment to a location can manifest in productive, not just frightening, ways. The hosts' live commentary from the exact spot adds a layer of immediacy to the historical account. Their banter while driving makes the legend feel connected to a real, visitable place. The tone is conversational, lighthearted, and deeply rooted in local New England geography and history. The style blends on-location audio, historical anecdote, and folkloric storytelling. Listeners who enjoy quirky regional ghost stories and roadside history would love this episode. Those seeking high-stakes drama or definitive paranormal proof might want to skip it.

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