On February 4, 1961, a real-life tragedy occurred in Arlington that would later become deeply intertwined with urban legend.

Few events in our history are as steeped in lore as “The Bridge.” While pulpy ghost stories often overshadow the facts, the reality is heartbreaking: three young women died and three others were seriously injured.

What happened: Six teenagers were returning from the movies around 9:30 PM, traveling down what was then Arlington-Bedford Road. Unbeknownst to them, the wooden bridge had been burned and the barricades removed. Despite another motorist’s frantic attempts to warn them, their car plunged into the ravine.

On this 65th anniversary, we look past the myths. The actual bridge is long gone; while a structure in River Legacy Parks is often mistaken for it, “The Screaming Bridge” urban legend misses the true story. We remember the victims—Kathy Fleming, Claudia Reeves, and Marilou Goldner—three Arlington High School juniors whose lives deserve to be celebrated more than the ghost stories.

In memory of Kathy Fleming, Claudia Reeves, and Marilou Goldner

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 02-04-26