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Lydia's Bridge
A Ghost Story with a Real History
Lydia's Bridge is one of the most famous ghost stories in North Carolina. When asking about the best hidden gem sites or “must see” things to do in Guilford County, one of the most popular responses will be, “Lydia’s Bridge”! This is a story centering around the “phantom hitchhiker” legend.
According to these stories, a person driving down a road under certain conditions - usually late at night, raining or foggy - will see a lone person standing on the side of the road. In an act of generosity and compassion, they will pull over and ask the person if they need a ride. The hitchhiker will thank the driver graciously and get in the back seat of the car. The hitchhiker will say little more than what their address is, and the driver will attempt to take them home. Upon arriving at the location, the driver will discover that the hitchhiker has vanished!
Another twist to this story is that the driver will go to the door and knock, hoping to find that the hitchhiker had run into the house before they noticed and was safely inside. However, the single occupant of the house will come to the door to inform the driver, “I’m sorry, that person has been dead for years. They died in a car crash on - “ followed by the name of the road where the driver picked them up.
This is a very common urban legend in many places, but the haunting of Lydia’s Bridge is one of the most popular, especially in North Carolina. Since we live in the area, we decided to take the trip out to Lydia’s Bridge to see what it was really like. We got some pretty great pictures and a video walkthrough of the area, but no phantom hitchhikers.
Above, the arrow to the right shows the new underpass that was built, and the arrow to the left shows the original tunnel.
A closer look at the original tunnel.
A better view of the new underpass.
A view inside the original tunnel. Note the structure and the walking path in the background.
The Legend of Lydia
According to the story, a young woman named Lydia was tragically killed in a car accident along this road.
But who is Lydia, and what happened to her? The legend has been around for almost a century, but no one has been able to find any conclusive evidence of her identity or the cause of her death. However, two local researchers, Michael Renegar and Amy Greer, have recently made a surprising discovery that may shed some light on the mystery.
Renegar and Greer are paranormal authors who have been investigating the Lydia legend for many years. They have interviewed several witnesses who claim to have encountered the ghost, and collected various versions of the story. According to the most common version, Lydia was a young woman who died in a car accident on her way to a dance, perhaps the prom, with her boyfriend in the 1920s. The accident occurred near an old bridge over Highway 70, which was later abandoned and replaced by a new bridge about 100 meters away. The old bridge is now hidden by overgrowth and kudzu, but it is still visible from the present-day railroad bridge over Main Street.
This is said to be the car that Lydia was riding in, but I was not able to find any conclusive proof of this.
Two Relentless Researchers
Renegar and Greer wanted to find out if there was any truth behind the legend. They searched for any records or evidence of a young woman named Lydia who may have died in a car crash in the area during the 1920s. They found nothing. However, they came across an article from the Greensboro Patriot from June 21, 1920 that reported a tragic death of a young woman named Annie Jackson who had been killed on the High Point Road about three miles from High Point and close to the location of both bridges. The article said that Annie was riding with a man named Charlie Johnson when he lost control of the car and Annie was thrown out. She died instantly from a fractured skull.
A photo of Annie Jackson.
A copy of the death certificate for Annie Jackson.
The Mystery Solved?
A newspaper article from The Greensboro Patriot reporting on the accident and Ms. Jackson's death.
An article from The Greensboro Patriot showing that Charles Hutchinson, the driver of the vehicle, was subsequently arrested for Reckless Driving.
Renegar and Greer were stunned by their discovery. They believed that they had found the real person behind the Lydia legend. They checked Annie's death certificate and found out that she worked in the sample room at Vick's Chem Co. and she was buried at Holt's Chapel on June 22. Her grave marker said that she was born on April 28, 1885, making her 35 years old at the time of her death. They also learned that Annie had a sister named Lydia Jackson who lived in High Point.
Renegar and Greer speculated that Annie may have been mistaken for Lydia by some of the witnesses who saw her ghost. They also suggested that Annie may have been wearing a white dress on the night of her death, which could explain why some people described her as wearing a formal gown. They also wondered if Charlie Hutchinson was Annie's boyfriend or just a friend who gave her a ride.
Renegar and Greer shared their findings with the public in 2018. They hoped that their research would honor Annie's memory and bring some closure to her family and friends. They also hoped that their research would not diminish the fascination and mystery of Lydia's Bridge, which has become a part of North Carolina's folklore and culture. Lydia’s Bridge has undergone a revamp lately, with the area being updated with a walking path, a historical marker, and coverings.
Lydia's Bridge is still a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors. Some people still claim to see Lydia's ghost on some nights, while others enjoy the thrill of exploring the old bridge and imagining its history. Whether Lydia is real or not, she has captured the imagination of many generations and inspired countless stories and legends. She is more than just a ghost; she is a symbol of love, tragedy, and mystery.