Dare to Cross the Haunted Bridge in Iowa Known as “Lover’s Leap?” (VIDEO)

It’s called “Lover’s Leap” but you surely don’t want to jump off this swinging bridge.

The original walking bridge in Columbus Junction (around 35 miles south of Iowa City) dates back to the 1880s and was built to provide a direct route without having to walk all the way around the 80-foot ravine.

In 1904, the second bridge was built, and it stayed erected for sixteen years until it tumbled down as two people were walking across it – remarkably, they were both uninjured.

In 1922, the current bridge was built and spans 262 feet.

Why is it called “Lover’s Leap? No one really knows. But according to atlasobscura, the most often told tale is of a love-sick maiden, her lover killed in battle, threw herself to the bottom to end her grief. It’s also been told the maiden is buried at the bottom, and if you cross over at night, you can hear her mournful cries.

So, did a woman really jump to her death from the bridge? As the sign says, “The trees know, but they won’t tell.”

Care to check it out for yourself? The address is 303 Oak Street in Columbus Junction, IA 52738.

Midwest Explorer has posted some great photos on its website, HERE.