A True Louisiana Ghost Story - The Ghostly Cowboy and Phantom Horse of Sarto Old Iron Bridge

Horror fans worldwide know of the famous tale of the Headless Horseman (or Galloping Hessian) who author Washington Irving immortalized in the pages of his novel The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, yet most Louisiana residents are unaware that there is a legendary ghostly rider right here in the Pelican State.

Down a lonely and winding stretch of Louisiana State Road 451 sits the Sarto Old Iron Bridge constructed in 1916 over Bayou de Glaises. As the legend goes a worker, known to locals as a cowboy, fell into the concrete while one of the pillars was being poured and was engulfed by the mixture while his coworkers helplessly looked on in terror. 

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Over the following decades people on or around the bridge have seen and felt the presence of 'The Marlboro Man' (so named by locals because he is said to resemble the famed cowboy in Marlboro cigarette advertising.) and his phantom horse. Sometimes his image mysteriously appears on the pillar that became his tomb, on other occasions he appears atop the bridge either alone or riding his horse. Sounds of both the spectral cowboy and the phantom horse have been heard on the bridge though there is no site of anyone or anything making a crossing. The nearby general store, which is now the Big Bend Post Office Museum, is also said to be one of The Marlboro Man's favorite haunts as well.

Normally the ghostly cowboy keeps to himself, but on one occasion recently a local resident was touring the bridge with her family when suddenly they were confronted with The Marlboro Man face to face. The group left the area in terror and were shaken by the experience for some time.

Paranormal investigators from a group called LA Spirits have done surveys of the bridge, museum and surrounding area and confirm that it is a hotspot such phenomena.

Museum Curator Brittany Bowman notes that she has felt like she is either being watched or followed on occasion when she crosses the bridge. Likewise, she has felt cold spots inside the museum and refuses to inside after dark.

I recently summoned up enough courage to travel out to the Sarto Old Iron Bridge to learn more about the area and its ghostly horseman for myself. Unfortunately The Marlboro Man didn't deem my presence worthy enough for him to make an appearance so I don't have a ghost story or any spectral images to share with you today.   

Instead I was able to capture what I think is the true essence of the bridge and the surrounding area. Honestly its kinda spooky around the Sarto Old Iron Bridge and the surrounding woods and farmlands. Oddly it's also very peaceful and calming as well. I found myself wanting to stay a bit longer than I had expected just to soak in the stillness. Maybe that's why our cowboy friend has stayed here for all these years? No one will ever know for sure, but if you want an opportunity to experience a real Louisiana ghost story you need to make the trip out here.

From the historical marker:

Prior to 1913, floodwaters from the nearby Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Red Rivers frequently forced the evacuation of people, livestock and property in the Big Bend area. The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury in 1915 authorized the construction of an elevated permanent bridge over Bayou des Glaises at Sarto Lane. The steel truss swing bridge was completed in 1916 for vehicular and boat traffic. This parish landmark is a rare surviving example of its type and is honored by being the first bridge in Louisiana listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Map:

Here are my photos:
 

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