The History & Haunting of Poinsett Bridge

Slightly off the beaten path in the northern mountains of Greenville County, the Poinsett Bridge draws locals and tourists alike to its gorgeous scenery and fascinating history. Featuring a distinctive Gothic arch, the bridge is a popular subject in local photography and artwork. The bridge’s history, spanning over two centuries, has become intertwined with local folklore and legends.

The Poinsett Bridge is believed to be one of the oldest surviving bridges in the Southeast. The bridge was one of three constructed in 1820 as part of the State Road, which connected Columbia to Charleston and South Carolina to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Poinsett Bridge was built at Little Gap Creek and two other bridges were constructed at the North Saluda River and Hodge’s Creek. Today, the Poinsett Bridge is the only structure of the three still standing.

Many historians believe the bridge was designed by Robert Mills, a native of South Carolina and architect of many notable buildings including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Treasury Building. Mills also designed a courthouse in Greenville in the 1820s with gothic windows reminiscent of the bridge’s archway. A sketch of the Poinsett Bridge is also attributed to Mills, further supporting the idea he was the bridge’s architect.

The bridge is named after Joel Poinsett, who served as president of the state’s Board of Public Works during construction of the bridge. Poinsett was a politician from South Carolina and during his career, served as a member of Congress and as the first United States ambassador to Mexico. He is also the namesake for Poinsettias, a floral favorite during the holiday season. Poinsett is responsible for introducing the flower, native to Mexico, to the United States.

In addition to its beauty and history, the Poinsett Bridge has also become notorious for paranormal experiences. Local lore weaves together haunting characters and stories of the bridge’s past. During the construction of the bridge, many workers fell ill with what historians believe to be malaria. Though it has never been proven, legends say the body of a worker who became sick and died is buried within the bridge. A story of two workers from Ireland says they were so thrilled with their work on the bridge, they come back to visit it at night. Another local legend claims the headless body of a man who was shot on the bridge in 1861 returns on nights when it rains, exactly at the stroke of midnight.

Visitors have reported ghostly encounters and eerie events that do not seem to have a logical explanation. Those who visit the bridge at night have reported a variety of odd sights and sounds. People claim they see orbs and floating lights. Others say they can hear screams echoing from under the bridge. Many visitors have reported sudden and inexplicable car trouble when they try to leave.

Over the years, the haunting tales and local legends surrounding the bridge have drawn several paranormal investigators to the area. In 2019, Poinsett Bridge was named one of the 30 most haunted places in America by the magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Today, the bridge is owned by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and maintained by the Greenville County Rec. In spring of 2021, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources announced the bridge would be undergoing an engineering assessment to determine the best ways of preserving it. Over the years, the bridge has been subjected to natural deterioration from the weather and occasional vandalism and graffiti. The study will help to ensure that the bridge and all of its stories will be around for many years to come.