If you’ve ever heard of a crybaby bridge, the tales that are told usually involve the death of a child near a bridge, causing either the mother or the child (or both) to haunt the area. Whether you believe in spirits or not, this bridge in Kansas is super creepy to hang out by. Have you ever been near the screaming bridge called Theorosa’s Bridge?

Theorosa's Bridge is a "crybaby bridge" located near Valley Center, with a riveting story involving a mother, a child, and the endless cries of a life lost.
Theorosa's Bridge Facebook
There are actually a couple legends attached to this bridge, with minor changes that happened over the years.
It sits over the Little Arkansas River at 109th Street, where not many people are seen hanging around.
Google Maps
Perfect place for a local legend, I think. The original iron and wood bridge burnt down once or twice, and today there is a sturdy concrete structure in its place.
The first (and oldest) version of the tale starts in the 19th century, when settlers were making their way across the creek here when Native Americans attacked and a baby named Theorosa was stolen, never to be seen again, except for her spirit wandering the waterside, calling for her baby.
Fetti Visison/YouTube
Another legend involves a Native American woman who had an illegitimate child with a white settler who wished to hide his relationship with her. To hide her shame, she drowns the baby in the waters and then throws herself in. Alternately, authors of the legend can't seem to agree here whether the man killed her or she killed herself.

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There have been a few modern takes on the tale, involving a man who drowns his daughter because her hair is brown and he suspects his wife cheated on him, and similar variations on the previous tales.
Fetti Visison/YouTube
It's all a big mix of theories, but in the end, a baby drowns and Theorosa is the name called to "summon" the entity here. You're supposed to call out that you have the baby, and she appears, speaks, or shows some sign of being real.
Multiple visitors have claimed to hear odd voices or babies screaming around the bridge at night, and see the figure of a ghostly woman wandering around.
Fetti Visison/YouTube
It's hard to dispute when no one has video proof, but it definitely makes for a great excuse to head out here and scare the pants off of your friends. All in good fun, of course.
Whatever happens at this bridge, remember to be safe and don't block traffic, just in case people need to use the bridge for what it was built for.
Fetti Visison/YouTube
If you're interested in watching a full exploration of the bridge as well as some creepy noises, check out this video by YouTuber Fetti Vision and his trip to Theorosa's Bridge.


It's super creepy to hear the noises in the background, but I think I'm still more scared of the turkey. What about you?

If you prefer less creepy ways to celebrate the fall season, feel free to check out this list of corn mazes that are perfect to get lost in for a while.

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