Ghosts in the Mist: Bellamy Bridge, Florida’s Haunted Heartbeat

May 26, 2025 by Ki

There’s a place just outside Marianna, Florida, where the woods grow quiet… too quiet. Where the moss hangs heavier, the air thickens, and stories refuse to stay buried. That place is Bellamy Bridge Historic Site—a stretch of haunted trail and weathered iron where the line between folklore and history blurs in the fog.

I’ve made the trek twice now—first with my son on a Pensacola road trip, and later with Dusty on our first Alabama adventure. That first visit? A bust. The trail was so flooded we couldn’t get near the bridge. But on our return trip, a new footbridge had been built. We crossed the murky waters and made it to the rusting skeleton that still holds the weight of Florida’s most enduring ghost story.

A Bridge Between Worlds: History & Heartbreak

Though the current bridge dates back to 1914, its story begins long before iron met river. This land once belonged to Dr. Samuel C. Bellamy and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Croom Bellamy—part of a sprawling plantation set along the Chipola River. The bridge’s earliest versions, built of wood, were swept away by storms and floods, only to be rebuilt time and again. The iron frame that stands now is both survivor and sentinel, its trusses now softened by moss, lichen, and time.

But the real reason people come here isn’t structural—it’s spiritual. And it starts with a Southern bride in a white dress.

The Bride Beneath the Cypress: A Local Legend

The legend goes like this: In 1837, Elizabeth Bellamy died in a tragic fire on her wedding day. Her gown caught flame during the celebration—some say by candlelight, others claim it happened as she napped. In a panic, she fled into the woods, burning and screaming, before collapsing by the river. Her husband, stricken by grief, never recovered.

Now, they say Elizabeth’s ghost still lingers—drifting through the swamp in her scorched dress, mourning a life cut short. People have seen her figure glowing under the moonlight, felt sudden chills, heard sobs from the trees. Skeptics shrug it off. But stand there at dusk, with frogs singing and mist rising off the river, and tell me the air doesn’t feel charged.

Fact or Fiction: The Truth About Elizabeth

If you peel back the folklore, a different story emerges. Historical records show Elizabeth died of malaria—not fire. But somehow, that truth never stuck. Instead, the tale of the flaming bride took root in the region’s imagination and bloomed like ghostly wisteria. Maybe because it’s more tragic. Maybe because it’s more human. In the end, Bellamy Bridge became a monument not just to one woman—but to how stories survive long after bones do.

Walking the Trail: What It’s Like to Visit

To reach the bridge, you’ll hike about half a mile through Florida backwoods. Oaks twist above you. Cypress roots claw at the trail. Spanish moss sways in the breeze like it’s listening. It’s quiet—so quiet. You’ll hear frogs, birds, maybe the distant echo of footsteps that don’t belong to you.

The bridge itself is hauntingly beautiful. Rusted beams rise from the swamp like a skeletal cathedral. The wooden footpath creaks. Time moves differently out here. It’s hard to say whether you’re in the present—or somewhere else entirely.

Haunted Encounters and Paranormal Claims

Plenty of visitors come for the legend. Some leave with stories of their own. Cameras glitch. Batteries die. Phantom lights flicker in photos. Others hear weeping or whispers in the brush. One woman I met claimed she saw a figure on the bridge and thought it was a reenactor—until it vanished.

During October, ghost tours lead brave souls into the woods, flashlights bobbing through darkness as local storytellers conjure up the legend with theatrical flair. But truth be told, you don’t need a guide to feel something out here. You just need dusk… and an open mind.

👻 Echo’s Corner: The Ghost Bride’s Glow

Did you know…
For over a century, Bellamy Bridge has been a magnet for what locals call “the glow.” Described as a soft, flickering light—neither firefly nor flashlight—it’s said to appear near the bridge on moonless nights. Some believe it’s Elizabeth Bellamy’s spirit still searching for peace. Others say it’s swamp gas, though no one’s explained why it hovers just there, over rusted iron and river mist.

The earliest written mention of the ghost? It appeared in an 1890s newspaper, long before ghost tours were trendy. That article described “a pale figure seen floating near the bridge just before sunrise.”

Echo’s theory?
Whether myth or memory, some places just remember you back.

When to Visit & What to Bring

Best Time to Visit:

• Late fall and early spring for cooler temps and fewer bugs

• October for ghost tours and Halloween vibes

• Springtime for photography and birdwatching

Bring:

• Bug spray and water (trust me)

• Sturdy shoes—this trail gets muddy

• A flashlight if visiting near sunset

• Curiosity. And maybe a friend. Or a salt circle. Your call.

Preserving the Bridge & Its Stories

Today, Bellamy Bridge is maintained by volunteers and historical groups. They keep the trail clear, organize community events, and protect the bridge from further decay. Donations from tours go toward keeping the site safe and accessible for generations to come.

If you visit, stay on the trail. Don’t litter. Don’t climb the bridge. This isn’t just a haunted photo op—it’s a place people care for deeply. A place where real lives unfolded, and where echoes of the past still linger in the moss.

Final Thoughts: What Stays With You

You don’t have to believe in ghosts to feel haunted by Bellamy Bridge. Maybe it’s the legend. Maybe it’s the mist. Maybe it’s the stillness that settles in your bones. But something about this place stays with you.

Both times I walked that trail, I left feeling like I’d brushed against something ancient and unresolved. Maybe it was Elizabeth. Maybe it was just my imagination.

But then again… that’s where all good ghost stories begin, isn’t it?

📸 Click here to see my photos of Bellamy Bridge Historic Site.

Some places you don’t just visit — you carry them.
The Companion Guide helps you keep the details that would otherwise fade… the weather, the whispers, the way the trees leaned that day.” 🌿👻

You’ve read the Bellamy Bridge legend — now, make it your own. Our Companion Guide is designed to help you capture your trip in your own words, while the memories are still fresh.

Download your copy and take it with you to your next stop.