Deep in rural Northern Ohio is an old bridge that spans the slow and sleepy Vermilion River. Dean’s road crosses over the river and the bridge is a replica of the original built in 1898. This wooden decked, historic Pratt truss bridge is single lane, built by the Massillon Bridge Co. of Massillon, Ohio.

The Whipple truss bridge features portal knee bracing that makes the bridge unique and beautiful. Curiously while the truss bridge is not inclined, the deck is. There is more vertical clearance at the north portal than the south portal. It’s easy to spot the elevation from the side.

Several legends exist about this area (not to mention the oft-rumored “haunted” Gore Orphanage, just downstream) and the bridge itself. It is said this area used to be known as “The Devil’s Heartbeat” in that when traveling through one can hear a soft thumping noise rumored to be an evil noise warning you to get out. The truth was (supposedly) traced back to gas well pump creating the sounds.

There is another rumor of blue lights that correspond with the heartbeat noise mentioned above. There are further rumors of cult activity in the hollow but unsure exactly where or how that started.

The final and probably most popular rumor is that long ago, a man committed suicide from the rafters of the bridge. The rope somehow could sometimes be seen swinging from the bridge until it was removed during a renovation process. If you were unlucky enough to see the rope, you had until midnight before you passed away. It should be noted that while the source of this rumor cannot be traced back, there was a woman who hung herself from another bridge just downstream.