Weird California - By Joe Parzanese
Pasadena's Suicide Bridge
Colorado Boulevard,
Pasadena, California
91105
Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge
When the beautiful bridge along Colorado Street over the Arroyo Seco River bed was built in Pasadena back in 1912, I'm sure the builders never thought it would acquire the nick name, "Suicide Bridge", a name it acquired way back in 1932.
The Colorado Street Bridge curves over the river bed, giving the bridge a rather unique perspective as you drive over it. Along with the lamps located at regular intervals, the bridge has a very romantic and old charm look from a distance. But this unique structure has seen over 100 people commit suicide from it, plummeting the 150 feet to the ground below.
Looking along the Colorado Street Bridge
The first suicide was on November 16, 1919, and nearly fifty of the suicides occurred during the Great Depression from 1933 to 1937. Another report predicts that ninety-five people committed suicide from the bridge between the years of 1919 and 1937. The Pasadena Central Library has three thick binders on the bridge filled with all sorts of interesting articles and historical facts on the structure. The bridge underwent a twenty seven million dollar renovation in 1993, during which it received a suicide barrier. This has reduced the number of suicides, although the bridge still retains its nickname.
Along with the suicides, of course, came the ghosts. Several spirits haunt the bridge, including a man with wire rimmed glasses and a vanishing woman in a long flowing robe. She is often seen standing atop one of the parapets, vanishing as she throws herself off. Even below the bridge, ghosts are said to walk the river bed. Strange sounds and cries echo throughout the dark nights. Misty forms have been reported and animals act strange in the area. Homeless camping under the bridge have regularly reported seeing ghostly figures and hearing mysterious noises. A haunt wandering under the bridge whispers "her fault" to anyone he runs across, although no one knows who he means.
Urban legends of course surround the history of the bridge. During the bridge's construction, a worker apparently toppled over the side of the bridge and fell into wet concrete below. He was, according to rumor, left to die in the quick drying cement, entombed forever. Of course, he's now a ghost haunting the bridge. Some legends state that he's the reason the bridge has claimed so many lives, that his ghost calls to those in crisis, urging them to come to the bridge and take their own lives.
Vintage Postcard of the Colorado Street Bridge
Another story surrounds a suicide attempt that happened on May 1, 1937. Myrtle Ward, a despondent 22 year old mother, took her three year old daughter, Jeanette, to the bridge that morning. One story says she had supposedly been left by Jeanette's father. Myrtle walked up to the side of the bridge and threw her baby girl, Jeanette, off. And then immediately jumped over herself (apparently so they could be together in the afterlife). In a remarkable twist of fate, somehow, the baby landed in thick branches of a nearby tree, slowing her descent until she came to the ground mostly unharmed, but her mother, Myrtle, plummeted to her death. She now is also rumored to haunt the bridge still searching for her baby.
Another unusual suicide was in 2008 when a man who had stabbed and killed both his son's mother and maternal grandmother, went to the bridge soon after the murders and jumped.
"The Slide" Photo courtesy of Mike Zens
It appears that both above and below, the spirits of the dead, long ago claimed by the bridge, still linger, doomed to wander the bridge where they took their lives. Below the bridge is a maze of streets and other bridges. There are also stairs going down from somewhere near the center of the bridge, but there's no where convenient to park underneath. A "slide" or spillway also lies under the bridge (at least two, one goes through a tunnel), and local kids have referred to it as "The Slide" and spray painted it with "Angel of the Slide". Local kids would go there in the sixties and seventies and slide down the spillway either sitting down or standing up. Special thanks to Mike Zens who has provided us with a photo of the spray paint and the entrance to "The Slide".
Colorado Street is now called Colorado Boulevard. On the west side of the bridge, exit Highway 134 at Orange Grove, go North one block, turn right onto Green, then right on Grand which will immediately end near a grassy park like area. Park, walk to the left to the bridge. To drive across the bridge, leave Grand, head back towards the 134 on-ramp and actually take the 134 West on-ramp, but veer towards the left and onto the bridge instead of right and onto the highway.
Additionally, the bridge was part of historic Route 66 from 1926 through 1940.
Pasadena's Suicide Bridge
Pasadena's Suicide Bridge
Pasadena's Suicide Bridge
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Comments:
- Sanders of Davis, CA on 2020-02-25 said:
- If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
Or text the Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7, confidential text message service for people in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 in the United States.
- Michael of Eureka, California on 2019-12-11 said:
- This bridge has been investigated by a couple of Youtubers named TFIL (which include Sam and Colby) who have done both overnight challenges under the bridge and Ouija board on and below the bridge. You can clearly hear noises and see things in the videos (especially the over night ones) all and all it's creepy. For all those who have lost people on the bridge I am sorry for your losses and may your loved ones Rest In Peace. For those thinking about doing this please seek help.
- Fili of Pasadena, CA on 2019-06-15 said:
- I've experienced a couple things on this bridge. One night me and a couple of buddies checked it out after a couple drinks. As we proceeded walking toward the entrance. My friend heard a whisper next to his ear. When we turned back we saw a lady dressed in a long black dress and long black hair, which covered her face, walking down toward us and made a left turn as soon as we saw her. Mind you that we did not see anyone walking behind us. And another night I heard a whisper by my ear as I walked the bridge again with my cousins. Really spooky but beautiful bridge to check out.
- Gracie of Hagerstown , Maryland on 2018-12-10 said:
- So when I was three I used to live somewhere around the bridge and then I seen this little girl she looked like she was 10 she was thinking about jumping and then me and my cousin decided to help her and she listened to her and now she is literally like our sister.
- Lucy James of San Marino, California on 2018-09-02 said:
- Sometime in the early 2000s, my husband and I were driving home from a party. We were both tired and wanted to get home to our apartment (Stanley Apartments along Los Robles) as soon as possible and get some sleep before going to work the following morning. We always love driving over the Pasadena Bridge because it's such a lovely old bridge, especially the old street lights. So we're driving over when there's an old white van in front of us, rickety and rusty and very slow. We tried overtaking it, but it won't let us -- it keeps blocking us for about a minute or two. When we finally managed to get into the lane right beside it, my husband -- tired and irritated -- was about to cuss the driver off. Except there wasn't any driver -- both of us looked at the same time and there's the steering wheel moving on its own. We both sweat cold sweat and my husband wasted no time just driving past and getting us home as quickly as possible. I tried talking to him about what we both saw -- or didn't see -- but he was very visibly shaken and tried shrugging it off to both of us being very tired and sleepy. We moved to another city a few years afterward but it still gives me goose bumps to this very day.
- Laura Gordon of Rancho Cucamonga, Ca on 2018-07-23 said:
- Does anyone have a color photo of the booty slide under Suicide Bridge with the wall paintings?
- Craigston Mullen of Cambridge, Massachusetts on 2018-07-12 said:
- The bridge is name checked as "The Suicide Bridge" in F.Scott Fitzgerald's working drafts of "THE LAST TYCOON: A WESTERN"
The 1937/38 working draft.
of the book.
- Christine Arce of BANNING, CA on 2018-07-03 said:
- i have photos and negatives of a cave in/landslide on pasadena freeway in 1940 where a worker was killed..why can't i find any info on this?
- DOLORES of POMONA, CA on 2018-05-13 said:
- I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOM AND AUNT CHARLOTTE WOULD DRIVE OVER THIS BRIDGE AND TELL US IT WAS CALLED SUICIDE BRIDGE. IT WAS HUNTED. LOOK FOR THE GHOST AND IT WAS SPOOKY. I REMEMBER SINKING DOWN IN THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND HIDING WITH MY HANDS COVERING MY FACE UNTIL WE GOT ACROSS AND THEN LOOK BACK AT THE BRIDGE ONCE WE WERE SAFELY ACROSS AND I DID SEE THE TALL MAN WITH WIRE RIMED GLASSES. I WAS SO SCARED.. I'M 49 YEARS OLD NOW AND LIVE IN TENNESSEE. I TELL PEOPLE OUT HERE IN THE SOUTH ABOUT IT THEY DON'T BELIEVE ME.. AND I'M SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS ARTICLE NOW I CAN SHOW THEM AND I KNOW THE REAL HISTORY OF SUICIDE BRIDGE... ITS SO MIND BLOWING BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF MY HISTORY.. THANK YOU FOR THIS AND THE PICTURES..
- CRAIG NAJARIAN of NORTHRIDGE, CA on 2018-03-06 said:
- Worked armed security at derelict abandoned Vista Del Arroyo Hotel 1974 through 1976, 3-11 p.m. shift before it was converted to Federal Court and I can attest that the place was creepy, especially at night. My hair on the nape of my neck would stand on end doing the rounds in darkness. Never saw anything but you could damn well feel it whatever the it was, a presence. Working eight hours alone was a major stress-or. I was relieved to see Federal Police drop by every evening around 10.00-10.30 p.m. doing their rounds, cursory though it was. Service men and women died in that hospital during world war II and I worked solo. It was a chilling place.
- Ariella of Laguna Beach, California on 2018-02-25 said:
- My ghost hunting friends finally convinced me to accompany them on one of their ghost hunts a few days ago. They assured me the spot wouldn't be some scary abandoned building that they usually go to, but rather a very beautiful bridge in a wealthy old neighborhood. Upon arrival, I was taken aback by the beauty of the lights and the bridge, with the cars passing by, it was like an old movie. However, once we began communicating with spirits through the sb7 spirit box, I started feeling very sad and emotional, seemingly with out reason. While my friends were reviewing some audio, my eyes were drawn to the the front part of the bridge where I saw two shadow figures jump off the top and disappear. I came out of my trance like state and told my friends what I had just seen. Then, and only then did they tell me the tragic history of the Colorado St Bridge. Although this place is beautiful there is an undeniable feeling of sadness and loss. After that, they tried to get me to go under the bridge, to which I refused, I was pretty scared after I had seen those shadows jumping... all in all though this place definitely checks out as haunted!
- counter boy robert of pasadena, California on 2018-02-05 said:
- im homeless and stay under the bridge and yes their supper natural stuff that goes on all threw the day and night like people talking scremming yelling so fourth
- Default of Tujunga, California on 2018-01-21 said:
- That bridge to this day is still creepy...
- Frank of Los Angeles, California on 2017-12-05 said:
- A Couple Of Years ago I Whent Bike Riding Under The Bridge At Night Did Not See Anything But The Thing Is It Is Very Spooky All By Yourself But All These Storys Make Think About Going Back At Night
- David Wilson on 2017-11-08 said:
- https://youtu.be/zLkhpP5QsE4
- Laura Gordon of Rancho Cucamonga, CA on 2017-09-20 said:
- Pasadena Hippie kids actually called it the Booty Slide. You could slide or just watch. Great entertainment!
- Charles Suppus of Tennessee on 2017-08-25 said:
- My father worked on the bridge. The story of a man falling into the concrete is true, however, i believe it to be more then one. Don't know exactly what my father did, but he worked on scaffolding. Apparently, the work was in shifts. My father finished his which i suppose was the early shift. He had gone to punch out, when at that moment the scaffolding he had worked on gave way with workers on it. They fell into the wet concrete below.
- steve cox of klamath falls , oregon but my heart is still in oasadena on 2017-05-21 said:
- I loved the slide, came in real handy when there wasnt enough time to go to the beach,the suicide i remember was the guy who jumped of the bridge holding his dog but the dog survived
- Amber of El Monte, California on 2017-04-20 said:
- They should really make a church down under the bridge. I'm not really a church goer but this would help people to reach out to someone else. I know a few people who have thrown themselves over. Maybe a church under there would help reduce the amount of suicide attempts?
- Donna of SACRAMENTO, CA on 2017-03-23 said:
- When I was a kid I used to see a woman in a long black coat walk swiftly on Colorado. I was with my mom and we would drive blocks down and she would suddenly appear again. I could never figure out how she was able to appear again so far away. Does anyone else remember seeing her? I have never forgotten this experience. This started in the late 40's as I remember and was too young to even think to ask about it.
- Amber of Alabama on 2016-12-13 said:
- Well, not doing with haunted stuff, but my band is taking a trip to Pasadena for the rose bowl parade and I would love to go on this bridge. Preferably at night
- john of pasadena, ca on 2016-11-29 said:
- Drove bridge west yesterday afternoon because caltrans had freeway onramp closed. There was a man on the outside of the railing on North side. Cops had just arrived to try talk him out of it. An hour later he was still there. I hope it turned out o.k. Hope not to see police crime scene tape below when I walk the arroyo today.
- Hannah of Los Angeles, California on 2016-10-10 said:
- My story has nothing to do with haunts, but rather harassment. After passing by this bridge numerous times on the freeway, I finally visited it, expecting a cool experience. Instead, I dealt with some transient man making lewd comments at me about my teenage daughter and as if that wasn't enough, he followed us back to our vehicle on his bicycle, the creep. This happened at about 9:00pm today. Pretty much ruined our experience.
- blackcrane of los angeles, california on 2016-09-12 said:
- Alex of San Gabriel Valley
That laughter is probably from a comedian that jumped a few years ago. My friend and myself recorded the whole thing. When we asked him what would you like to say if you could say anything? you hear a very clear I am sorry.
- Anonymous on 2016-08-21 said:
- For the past two years, almost every week day I have visited the archery range in Pasadena. Each round trip includes two passes under the bridge. I've been diverted by police a number of times because of someone on the bridge. Other times I've seen police and the coroner there after the fact, several that have been mentioned here. I am sorry for their loss. Each of these is a cry for help.
- Alex of San Gabriel Valley, California on 2016-08-15 said:
- One of my parents took the "easy way out" when I was just six years young, so that probably was a major inspiration to research paranormal experiences. With that said, of all the places I've ever had "weird" (and then my radio alarm just kicked in [91.5 Classical/Symphony] with an orchestra hit as I typed in the word "weird"!), this bridge takes the cake. I went with two friends to play the Ouija board, maybe get some digits from an Otherside 8 or higher. They were both too overwhelmed to play that night, so we just strolled. Theres these sections along the bridge walkways that look like small sitting areas. We sat at one and just hung out for a bit. My girlfriend was facing away from the freeway, looking out into the Arroyo horizon and standing on the seating area with her face stupidly wedged between two barrier bars. I sat between her and her cousin who sat next to me. We just chilled in silence for a good minute or so, taking in the night air. Thats when we heard this laughter. I sh*t you not. A (one) second-long laugh/giggle from a guy, around 18-20, from directly behind us. Well, I thought my mind was suggesting it. Or maybe one of the girls were trolling. But when I looked back to ask my girlfriend about it, she had this cold stare at her cousin. I looked at her cousin who had this hysterical grin-like stare back at my girlfriend, vice-versa/tl;dr our stares at each other in a dead silence confirmed that none of us produced that laugh. Our only certainty was that it originated from the dark otherside of that bridge barrier. Another trip had my friend mentioning a similarly faint sighting of a girl leaping off the side, in a long flowing gown, only to disappear halfway. Finally, my first trip with a group of friends. After an uneventful night, on the walk, through this neighborhood below, back to the car; we heard an eerie womanly groaning coming from directly under the bridge. I've studied that it takes a lot of energy for the supernatural/spirits to express themselves. So patience, respect, experience, research and understanding are all extremely handy if you plan on communicating. A++++ will haunt again
- Anonymous on 2016-08-08 said:
- John Reid Caluda jumped off this bridge on August 5th, 2016.
The number of deaths continue piling up. Ironically, I myself have thought of jumping off the bridge in my suicidal moments, but I have such a terrible fear of heights.
- Dora of Hanford, Ca on 2016-02-09 said:
- My grandfather was one of the lead foremen when this bridge was built. It's sad such a beautiful piece of architecture has seen so much tragedy!
- Anonymous on 2016-01-30 said:
- My cousin took her life on the night of 1/15/16 from leaping off this bridge. I wish they would patrol the area for suicides more often. RIP beautiful soul, I hope you are in peace. See you on the other side XOXO
- Jeff Watson of Los Angeles, CA on 2016-01-15 said:
- My wife jumped off this bridge three years ago. Strange that I'm typing this here as she frequented this site (she was drawn to the odd places in CA). Although a suicide barrier was erected in the '90s, there is an opening that makes it very easy to slip through. Wish the Pasadena city fathers would do more to close the gap and prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
- Default of Tujunga, California on 2015-12-22 said:
- This happened back in 2008.
Man kills 2 and jumps off bridge...
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/11/local/me-tujunga11
- Gina Pearlman of PCB, Florida on 2015-11-18 said:
- This bridge is where my Amazing friend tool his life the week of my 41st BIRTHDAY..I have witnessed alot of death in my life but this hit me like a train.. There are far to many of us out in the world struggle from the thoughts in our mind of our life and the reality of being comfortable in ones skin...Depression its real and its becoming like a drug or alchol something people cant kick..I urge folks to seek help dont take it so far where we all have been hurt to the core seeing our future def sam take his life and loved by many..r.i.p. your friend Ginaxo
- Anonymous on 2015-11-07 said:
- Kiran, my beautiful friend. I will never understand but I hope you are now at peace. My life is better having known you if even for just a short time. God bless you sweet girl. Xo
- Weeping of LA County, CA on 2015-11-06 said:
- This bridge claimed my sister-in-law last night. She suffered so much mentally and tried all types of treatments and therapy from all over the world. But she remained trapped...She will be deeply missed by all of us who loved her. She's now a beautiful star in the sky.
- Anonymous on 2015-11-06 said:
- On 11/04/15 the body of a beautiful woman I once knew was found here. She was bright, well spoken, kind and funny. I am so sad that she chose this path.
- Dale of Los Angeles, Ca on 2015-11-04 said:
- My model actor friend Sam Sarpong life was just claimed by this bridge 10-26-15. He was the most positive person I knew. Knowing him I can't see him following through with this tragedy by jumping to his death. He loved his family and everyone around him. We worked on many movies together and he was always a pleasure to work with. We gonna miss you Sam. Maybe like some of the others jumpers you'll resurface in another form. I pray your soul rises through the heavens. You left too soon bro. We'll make sure your legacy lives on. #FutureStars #SamSarpong #MyFriend
- Anonymous on 2015-10-31 said:
- People should know that suicide can be prevent and suicidal ideation treated - reach out for help and know that it will get better.
There is a national text service you can use - just type "START” to 741-741
- Sharon of Los Angeles, CA on 2015-10-29 said:
- Actor and model Sam Sarpong was the latest to commit suicide by jumping from this bridge. Read more here:
http://m.eonline.com/news/711119/sam-sarpong-dies-mtv-s-yo-momma-co-host-actor-and-model-was-40
- Anonymous on 2015-10-29 said:
- How is it still possible that anyone can jump from this bridge if it got a suicide barrier in the '90s? Something should be done about this sad situation.
- Anonymous on 2015-10-27 said:
- We watched a man stand with negotiators for hours on the bridge yesterday. His family was in the end of the bridge talking to police. After 8 hours or more, he jumped. I've grown up in Pasadena and even had a friend in high school who's father jumped off the bridge. But it was my first time seeing someone there... Deciding if he should jump or not. Incredibly sad and strange feeling. Never want to see that again.
- betty serrano of los angeles, california on 2015-02-25 said:
- Sunday 2-21-2015 about 3:00pm it was raining. Five of us went under the bridge and saw a man with glasses with silver frames. We were all soaked wet while he had not even a drop of water on him. I felt un-easy and told my friend that we needed to find a stick for our protection. He was caucasion,glasses with steel frames,light reddish hair and mustache,light blue long sleeve button shirt with a round logo on his left shoulder,light brown kacky pants. He didnt even made eye contact with us and just vanished into the little hill. I didnt feel scared but I definately felt uneasy.
- JG on 2014-08-24 said:
- a friend of mines father has a place under the bridge. really nice. all the property near that area is very expensive.
- gGary W of Detroit, MI on 2014-07-13 said:
- 22 people went over the side of the bridge in May of 2012. They were the contestants repelling down the side of the bridge to start the 21st season of The Amazing Race.
- Newmankitten of Seattle, WA on 2014-06-10 said:
- I grew up very near this bridge, and my family traveled over it frequently. When I was about three, I still remember seeing a woman in a long dress on top of the railing, then stepping off. I knew she wasn't *real*, and my mom told the story many times about my comment at the time I made, "I don't like going over the suicide bridge!" She claims there would have been no way for me to have ever heard that name for it, as they specifically would not use such a name for the bridge. My folks knew generally of the stories, but when my dad repeated what I had told them, my dad was told of a lady in a long dress commonly seen there as I reported. My dad who did not believe in such things, refused to further discuss the event.
- Gerald S. Reynolds of Rancho Santa Margarita, California on 2014-05-17 said:
- Love the Arroyo Seco and the area beneath the Colorado Street Bridge. I have captured EVP and Echovox (ITC) responses that will chill you. One woman said her name was Barbara and she was hoping to work there but died of fright there. Another said they moved north of the black death which perhaps was a reference to the 1924 Pneumonic plague outbreak in Los Angeles.
- black crane of los angeles, Ca on 2014-03-16 said:
- I have seen all kinds of things at the bridge. From flash on a camera go dim. From the lights under the bridge turn off as soon as I said off! I was originally interested in these place by a dream of a woman who committed suicide. I kept dreaming about her. In the dream she was always sorry. I knew she had a child and was scared for her. She wrapped her child in a coat. Then jumped. Years later. I found out this is the story of myrtle ward. I am not sure exactly from which part of the bridge she jumped but if you ever go on a cold night and feel a spot warmer than other parts, that is where she jumped
- G.W. of Sacramento, ca on 2013-11-22 said:
- I saw the ghost in 1965!
- Alberto Gonzalez of Tujunga, CA on 2013-10-31 said:
- Some guy who lived up the street from me murdered his wife and mother in law and then committed suicide by jumping off the bridge back in 2008
- Honor Soluri of Monrovia, CA on 2013-10-11 said:
- Love the mystique of the bridge. It's beautiful, honestly. Went there a few years back and spent about an hour taking pictures and wandering around. I never saw anything or felt anything weird. I'm thinking a trip to the bridge at night is in the near future.
- Mel Kent of Tunbridge Wells, Kent - UK on 2013-05-08 said:
- Its featured in the suicide scene in Charlie Chaplain's "City Lights" where Charlie convinces the man that life is worth living.
- Dave of Hollywood, CA on 2013-01-31 said:
- As far as the story of a workman falling into wet concrete during construction, this is certianly a myth -often repeated about many bridges,dams, and buildings.
No body would ever be allowed to compromise the integerty of a structure by remaining encased inside. And there's that human dignity thing too.
- Rob of Superior, CO on 2013-01-26 said:
- Was just watching Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School which is partially about Pasadena in the 1962. I remember the dance classes our parents forced us to take, much like those in the movie. Suicide Bridge is in the movie for a moment which made me look it up and find this website. Robert Carlyle throws John Goodman's ashes from the bridge. I grew up 2 blocks from the bridge, ~'61-'74 on South Grand. I'm 56. We used to ride our bikes and walk across and play on on the bridge. Not much traffic on it then. Saw the slide many times but never rode it. Used to ride our bikes to Camel's hump and the two caves down in the Arroyo. The big building to the east was the Vista del Arroyo Hotel before it was a hospital in WWII and then I guess the Richard H. Chambers United States Court of Appeals. Never saw any paranormal stuff. My sister Lisa lived below the bridge in an apartment later. I'll have to ask her if she saw anything as she is better than I at such seeing such things.
- Barbara of Freehold, NJ on 2013-01-26 said:
- My friend committed suicide off this bridge January 18th, 2013. They need to have patrol on this bridge if so many people are doing this.
- Cesar of Pasadena, CA on 2013-01-25 said:
- The Kid. 1921. Made by Charlie Chaplin has a movie scene of which includes thinking about committing suicide on the same bridge with a kid next to her. Coincidence? Did I just discover something? Check out Minute 12:00.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdOmrcM8jJM&wide=1
- Mia of Altadena, CA on 2013-01-17 said:
- The Richard H. Chambers United States Court of Appeals was also used as a hospital for the wounded during WWII - maybe some of the ghosts/spirits are those of dead soldiers, and not all just suiciders.
- SFCHICK in Pasadena of Pasadena, CA on 2013-01-03 said:
- Went swimming at the Aquatic Center yesterday afternoon at 2:30. Decided to go by the bridge on my way back home - there was a potential jumper and the bridge had been blocked off as well as Arroyo Blvd below the bridge - found out today that they were able to talk the 52 y/o man down after over 7 hours. I could see the man standing outside the railing. Closest I have come to seeing a suicide.
- Mike Zens of Carlton, Oregon on 2012-12-21 said:
- I grew up on South Grand Ave in the 60's and early 70's. Like all kids in the neighborhood, we used to use the slide for recreational use on hot summer days, and the police would come down and watch us. Then there was the Love In at Brookside park in '69 and the slide became extremely popular. After that, the city did it's best to close it down. Michael Wilson of Pasadena, California on 2009-05-21 wrote about the "Angel of the Slide" spray painted on the wall. Recently, I have been digitizing all my old 35mm negatives and came across a photo of "The Slide" and there it was on the wall, the "Angel of the Slide"
- Michelle of Whittier, CA on 2012-08-20 said:
- Wow... My brother and I went to the bridge earlier today to take some pictures. We got there JUST IN TIME to see a girl throwing her Bible and purse over the bridge and climb over the railing. We did our best to talk her out of jumping and called 911. Thankfully, she let the police and firemen pull her back over to safety after about 45 minutes of hanging off the side. It was very scary, very nerve racking. Had we shown up a moment later or not at all... the girl would have killed herself. It was my first visit to Suicide Bridge. I won't be going back.
- pete of wrightwood, ca on 2012-07-20 said:
- wow, readings these comments brings back so many memories. I lived in Highland Pk and South Pas growing up. Graduated from SPHS in 1973. I slid at all the slides and partied at Camels Hump, the casting ponds,archery range, and our favorite, the "bird sanctuary", which was a small fountain overlooking the Arroyo. Used to feed the ducks at Johnson Lake, and buy used Levis at the Rose Bowl flea market for $1.50. Never knew the bridge was haunted.
- Kelly of So. Pas, Ca. on 2012-06-13 said:
- The name of the best sliding tube emptying out into the Arroyo Seco wash was Called "Pinky Rear" in the mid to late 60's and yes it had metal steps about head level as you swooshed by at astounding speed, very cool on a hot summer day, I went down maybe a hundred times from '66-'70
- Anonymous on 2012-05-21 said:
- Used to go to the old bridge back in 09 was probly the last time, a buddy of mine his sister and I parked under the bridge on that narrow ass side street that snakes underneath Colorado, turned everything off and on everything I love we were there for a good 20 seconds complete silence and all at the same time heard some one fall and slam the top of his car I haven't been back since but wouldn't be put off on going for old times.
- Daniel of Palmdale, ca on 2012-04-16 said:
- I drove under the bridge one night with my then girlfriend, telling her the history of the bridge, when we got back home she was telling me how crazy was that man walking by himself under the bridge, i responded what man cause i did not see a thing. i know for sure that place really is haunted, i always get a eerie feeling every time i passed underneath.
- Eric of Glendale, California on 2012-01-18 said:
- I have had many interactions with the paranormal at Colorado Street Bridge. One night while walking by with a recorder at 2 am, I recorded two voices that were answering my questions. One was that of a woman, and the other of a man. My friends have also seen white figures running in mid-air next to the bridge rails, as well as figures of people disapearing on the underside of the bridge. I live only 10 minutes away and this is one of my favorite spots around. I don't know... I feel very relaxed in the hiking trails and on the bridge... even knowing about all the occurrences.
- victor of claremont, ca on 2011-08-03 said:
- I used to go to the Bridge when I was younger, jump a few fences to go and drink there late at night with some girls. Get them all creeped out. Tell them stories about if you go there alone you can see the ropes that were used by ppl to hang them selves on the side of the bridge, or point out stains on the cement below saying it was bllod from when ppl jumped off.
- Mike of South Pasadena, CA on 2011-06-23 said:
- I've only driven underneath but it looks creepy at night. I don't even like to look down there. With all the barriers and signs to keep people out, you know it has a history. Didn't they find a woman's body a few years ago in the trail area? Place is spooked.
- keairra of pasadena , california on 2011-04-26 said:
- i haven't had any paranormal activity thing happened to me at the bridge but i use to live at USHS and that used to be a mortuary and i was siting in the living by myself when i felt something on the back of my neck i acted as if i didn't fell it but then something whispered in my ear and banged on the wall i still acted as if nothing happened so the ghost go mad and scam something and banged on the wall really loud...........so i got up and left
- HK of Pasadena , CA on 2011-04-14 said:
- When we were in high school we used to paintball there all the time. In the 90's it was just this beautiful, serene, and quiet place with a river running under it. Quite expansive in area. I've heard that they've developed homes near there so I'm disappointed about that.
- Heidi Pykkonen of Vista , CA on 2011-04-09 said:
- Came across this and just wanted to let you know that it is in fact not only true that on May 1st, 1937 Myrtle Ward threw her daughter, Jeannette Ward off the bridge and then jumped, but that it is also docmented and very easy to find. Of course I don't need to read a newspaper article to find out any of the details. All I have to do is ask my Mom. She's the baby... She's the sole survivor of Suicide bridge.
- mario salinas of alhambra, california on 2010-12-13 said:
- Me and a few friends went down here for a cool evening walk we went in a group but I just went off walking by myself until I got under the bridge I got this feeling of eerie creepy like there was ghosts around I at the time I didn't know it was haunted I knew about the suicides so I kept walking around very quiet like ghostly quiet and that eerie feeling just wouldn't go away so I walked fast back to my friends and we just took off ima go again after reading these stories
- Steve R. of Orange, California on 2010-11-15 said:
- Wow. I hadn't thought of "the slide" in years. In 1970 we occasionally skipped school (in Alhambra) and headed north to Suicide Bridge, where we would spend the day smoking hash and zooming down the mossy wash.
Another nearby slide (bare-ass run) was a little more dangerous. It was an underground drainage tube that ended in the wash. There was always a trickle of water running over the moss. Reaching maximum speed involved dropping your pants and exposing enough skin to eliminate resistance caused by fabric, which in those days was nearly always denim. The tube was very dark, which added to the thrill. The only light entered below another opening to the tube at around the midway point. It was just enough to illuminate the last few rungs of a steel ladder that ended at the level of a slider's head. At the speed we were moving, hitting the ladder might have been fatal. I don't mind admitting that I only went down bare ass run once.
- Jasmin of Fontana, California on 2010-10-30 said:
- On Tuesday, October 26th, 2010, a few friends and myself decided to have "a haunted tour of los angeles". My friend Ashley decided we would start at suicide bridge. She took us into the trails under suicide bridge and immediately I felt unnerved. I've never had any paranormal sightings before in my life but that night I knew there was something strange about that place. As we made our way down a path to a very dark part of the forest area, we had only brought a small flashlight, and in the distance we could see a black figure. We stopped immediately of course and pointed our light at it. At which point my friend pointed out that it might be moving toward us...I am a chicken so I did not want to find out what it was so I made my way back up that trail and waited for them to follow. When they came back up they told me that it was slowly creeping on all fours toward them at they did not take that flashlight off of the figure. Than like a flash it was gone!! I thought it could have been an animal but it looked like it could have been the size of a bear! there is no way there are any bears in Pasadena! whatever it was, it did not want us there. That feeling has not left me all week, I still have that image in my head and I somehow feel its presence. Who knows what strange things linger there...
- Adam of Arcadia, CA on 2010-08-27 said:
- I went there to take some pictures tonight and didn't see any ghosts. It was a bit eerie once you climb down the stairs (it was getting pretty late too), but other than that it's a beautiful bridge. The most recent suicide occured on August 8, 2010: http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2010/08/man-dies-falls-from-colorado-s.html
- Richard on 2010-08-15 said:
- I was born in Eagle Rock. I use to go to the slide under suicide bridge. This was around 1970 to 1972. Someone had spray painted "Stinky Felix" on the bridge near the slide. We always referred to the slide as Stinky Felix. There was a rope that was tied to what was left of the fence that was suppose to keep people out. You would use the rope to climb back up the slide. We use to go down on inner tubes.
- Patricia of Los Angeles, CA on 2010-08-10 said:
- I have heard stories & read about "Suicide Bridge" since i was a kid, but never actually walked across it until last night. While my friend, her daughter and I were walking I got a familiar "pressure" feeling on my chest out of the blue, accompanied by just a strange over all feeling. We continued to walk, and I knew what I was feeling was "otherworldly" as I have experienced this feeling before. After a few minutes of continuing on our walk, I suddenly heard a male voice whisper (but loudly) into my ear "SEE ME!" That was quite a jolt to the system! I heard the same voice hours later after I got home in the exact same way. Looking forward to going back to this bridge for more investigation! DEFINITELY a lot going on on this "Suicide Bridge".
- Kimberly of Pasadena, CA on 2010-08-09 said:
- Just wanted to let you know that the legend of the guy being buried in cement is just that "a legend". I have done a lot of historical research about Pasadena in recent years and actually ran across a newspaper article about what happened. Here it is in a nut shell. While the bridge was being built, a section collapsed with a few workers on top of it. One worker was crushed and two others were trapped within the debris. It took a couple of days but they got them all out. Of the two that were alive, one died in the hospital and another one died. So, there were two deaths that occurred when the bridge was being built but nobody is buried within the cement.
- kimberly of los angeles, california on 2010-07-06 said:
- i heard too that there use to be a mental clinic but they closed it cause a patience commit suicide i dont know if is truth but i would like to see a ghost..lol..
- alex meraz of eagle rock, cali. on 2010-04-23 said:
- so one night @about 8:30 in the p.m. me and my buddy jason were driving west on old crusty bridge when all of a sudden.. and it happened very quickly i saw what appeared to be two dark shapeless objects very very quickly crawl out from and away a man hole maybe about three lightpoles into the bridge. it wasn't but about eight spooky seconds trying to process what i just saw when ol jason nervousley askes me.. did you see those two guys come out of the man hole and dissapear? I hated him for asking me that question, but i knew he was right and it still freaks us out when we think back on it. another weird thing i later realized was that there are no man holes on suicide bridge, just demonic murderouse souls who haven't yet peacefully rested. I often commute across the bridge in a car or via a bicycle and usually have a pleasant journey, i woulden't worry kiddies.
- kEN of Alta Loma, CA on 2010-02-21 said:
- Nobodys mentioned they've built some ugly, crappy apartments UNDER this great bridge. Who would live under a bridge right next to a freeway??! Trolls???
It really ruins your photos. What city official got paid off to let them do this?
- Britt of Santa Clarita, CA on 2010-02-16 said:
- Me and my three friends went to ghost hunt on the popular bridge.
Turns out that we had gotten several strange EVPs and loads of pictures and film of walking/jumping spirits. We plan to go back and reevaluate. This bridge is definitally haunted by every lost soul that died there.
- kim sweeney of kapaau, Hawaii on 2010-02-08 said:
- I went down that slide standing up a few times, (very similar to skateboarding)and on my butt,too. Very cooling on those hot summer daze. Here is a bit of history of the area from the Slide SOUTH to the Laguna Street Bridge. We climbed down into the Arroyo to get to Camels Hump from under this bridge, there were stone walkways, that went up & down, all over the place, both sides of the Arroyo. This was the Original
Busch Gardens at the turn of the 20th century! a popular film site back then too. Gone With the Wind,
Zorro (1920's) who knew? Aloha...
- Jennifer of Burbank, CA on 2009-12-27 said:
- A man stabbed his ex-wife's mother to death, injured his ex-wife and then killed himself by jumping off a bridge in Pasadena this morning, police said.
Police got a call of a stabbing at 8:43 a.m. in a residential area in the 6800 block of Quinton Lane and Haines Canyon Avenue, police said.
The man, whose identity was not immediately available, was arguing with his ex-wife, and when her mother intervened, she was stabbed to death, said Los Angeles Police Officer April Harding.
The ex-wife was injured in serious condition at a local hospital, Harding said.
After the stabbing, the man drove to a historic bridge on Colorado Boulevard over the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena and jumped to his death, Harding said.
It was the second homicide in as many days in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
- Matthew, Scott of Pasadena, California on 2009-07-18 said:
- 3:00 am is the time to see the unsceen,infact feeling becomes seeing when walking the sadend depressed last place,thousands remain prisoner till now.Many differnt kinds of lives were
lost here,this by far shows how Weird California is baby!
- "ListoFide" Paranormal Team of Pasadena, California on 2009-07-03 said:
- 3:00AM is the best time from what we hunters call the hour of the "Trinity". On arrivel of the ArroyoSeco bridge,your first impression is WoW it looks very old.As holding much History in itself Suicide Bridge turned out to be very much Haunted by those lost souls stook in the Valley Of Shadows of Death,although I saw nothing with my eyes I did feel the tormented foes whom are bond to the Prison Bridge.Every picture that night taken with different type cameras had evidence of paranormal activity.One of the pictures I had taken seemed to show a small female child 6 or 7 in age clutching in her arm a small doll.She was walking in are location right down the middle of the street.This is one of the hotest spots besides Devils Gate at the top of LAKE AVE in Altadena
To hold Real Ghosts.Which I woudent recommend going alone at 3:00 due to the higher intensity of the encounters and poltergist.
- Daniel Medina of Altadena, California on 2009-06-27 said:
- I went to the bridge with my brother inlaw, at 3:00am to take some pictures and look around.It was very creepy and we got some great images and evps.There is without a doubt, something there.
What? or how many? is more the question.Sad to say but seems like there traped there untill Judgementday.
- Michael Wilson of Pasadena, California on 2009-05-21 said:
- In the 60's quite a few of us used to go to the spillway under suicide bridge which was called by all of "the Slide". The spillway has moss down the concrete were you get on your butt and slide down. After awhile if you dared and many did you could go down on your feet standing up. The city wanted to shut it down so they first put acid to burn off the moss, moss grew back. Then they put rebar down into the slide and someone came at night and sawed them off. Then they put up a chain link fence which we sawed off. It was quite a bit of fun and many kids ditched or when they got out of school they would go there. As a last ditch the city put up iron gates sealing the lower bridge off above the spillway. Mid 60's to 1967.The 'Angel of the Slide' still lives (spraycan art)!
- Jesse of Alhambra, CA on 2009-04-07 said:
- Once, while passing the bridge, I was coming back from work and it was 11pm. Anyways, as i peered out the window I could make out the image of a ghastly red figure speeding away to lord knows what. Following it, quickly, was a round yellow figure. I looked away for a moment and when I looked back, both figures were gone.
- Kathryn Morrison of Pasadena, CA on 2009-03-20 said:
- I would share my recent experience. On Thursday, October 21, 2008 after taking my brother for a doctor's appointment, I was returning home from Glendale going east towards Pasadena. I had to cross the Pasadena Bridge commonly known as Suicide Bridge. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon, and a warm day. The first thing I saw was the 25 miles per hour sign which meant I had to slow down. Then I saw a man, average height, all dressed in black wearing a long flowing overcoat. The man was around 250 lbs. I judged him to be about 65 due to his built, and what I thought was gray hair, and beard. He was way overdressed for it was over 90 degrees outside, and I was wondering why his coat was flowing for there was no wind, not even the slightest breeze. He had a bounce to his step as he was in a hurry and proceeded to skip down the bridge stairs. All the while he was looking for something like change or perhaps a key. I was wondering why he was doing that for there are no parking spaces on the bridge nor below and no near bus stop.I saw his hands first as he manipulated the pile of stuff cupped in his left palm. He was searching with agility. I then happened to look up to see his face, there was none, no eyes, no nose, no mouth, no hair, no beard, just an ashen gray/tan cloudy haze where the head and the features would have been. The cloudy haze was very still and fluffy. His head reminded me of a burning house I once witnessed at a distance, the fire being almost out and the smoke was white, grey, and tan. His whole person was as solid as anything surrounding him. It all happened so quickly and I was wondering if I was suffering from some sort of vision problem, maybe a migraine. But how was it that I could see his hands so clearly and not his face? I wanted to turn back and look again for I couldn't believe my eyes, but once riding on the bridge it is impossible to turn around. It has really bothered me and thought I would share the experience. I do believe this bridge is haunted. I just wish to know if anyone else has seen Ol' Smokey all dressed in black?
- David G of Pasadena, CA on 2009-03-14 said:
- Me and a couple friends would always go bmx biking around and under the bridge. There was this one time I saw a strange looking man while biking. He looked like an old school painter. He was wearing all black, with one of those paris looking caps, sitting down on a stool, painting onto a canvas. As I glanced over to look at him, he was staring right at me. I continued biking a bit further and when I looked back to see him again, he was gone. At the time I didnt think anything of it but as I began to learn more about the history of the bridge, I started to wonder if what I saw was a ghost.
- Lloren of Los Angeleson 2008-12-30 said:
- I've walked my dog on the trail under this bridge, and the whole time he just kept looking behind and acting strange until we finally left.
- Mike of Brea, CA on 2008-11-29 said:
- My experiences mirror Dana's of Arcadia. I grew up and went to school in the San Pascual Ave. area of the Arroyo. Additional childhood delights included playing in the fly casting pond in Lower Arroyo Park, fishing for catfish in the area behind the big slide under the then Colorado (now 134) freeway bridge and catching crayfish in 'The Swamp'. I am 50 so I imagine Dana and I probably crossed paths 'back in the day'.
- Jonathan Jose Jackson III of Pasadena, CA on 2008-09-27 said:
- I read with great pleasure about sliding down the moss lined cliffs down to the Arroyo Seco, brings back great memories
I also climbed Camel's Hump many times, it was a great ditch place from school when we'd go up there to smoke a bowl and make out with the girls, late 1960s
There is no mental institute or sanatorium by the Colorado Street Bridge-aka Suicide Bridge, there was an armory on the east side of the Arroyo. The sanatorium was on top of Lincoln Ave in Altadena above Loma Alta, it overlooked Devil's Gate Canyon, dam and JPL
Underneath Colorado Street bridge was great, a bridge under a bridge where the last Mission Impossible TV episode was filmed that featured Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, Mission Impossible also filmed several episodes in Pasadena Civic Center, city hall, gas co, library, YMCA etc
- Jacques of South Pasadena, CA on 2008-08-04 said:
- I drive across this bridge frequently, and the view and general surrounding area truly is beautiful. It was my understanding that there were suicides on this bridge, but I wasn't aware there were 100+. That's...creepy. My friend told me there was an abandoned mental house near the area, but I don't know if that's a truth or a fabrication.
- Sarah of Arcadia, California on 2008-08-01 said:
- I think the Golden Gate Bridge should put barriers similar to these barriers!
- Dana of Arcadia, Ca. on 2008-05-14 said:
- I grew up in nearby Highland Park in the Arroyo View Estates(Avenue 66) My friends and I considered the Arroyo our playground. We would frequent such places as "Camels Hump" with the two caves near the top, "Three falls" Where the creek from Johnsons lake spilled into "The Wash". There was also a concrete spillway under "Suicide Bridge" that was covered in slippery green moss that made for a very fun slide. There is also a bridge under the bridge, but it has been gated off for years.I'm 52 now, but spent many fun days in the Arroyo in my youth.
- Dorothy Burns of Pasadena/Altadena, California on 2008-01-11 said:
- I was born and raised in Pasadena and I raised 3 kids here. My father was raised in Pasadena and hiked all around the Aroyo. Until they started doing restoration on the bridge I never realized it was the Colorado Street Bridge, it was always Suicide Bridge as far as I knew. It really is a great hike down below the bridge.
- Kimberly of Pasadena, California on 2007-06-30 said:
- Upon reading your report of "suicide bridge" here in Pasadena, I noticed that you say there is no covenient place to park. The space directly under the bridge is a wildlife park and there is a parking lot down the street. There is space for about 15 cars and there are paths that lead to the space directly below the bridge. I would say it's about a 1/2 mile hike but an even and very pleasant one. I regularly do nature walks here. The park officially closes at dusk but there are several trails that lead below for those who would like to do some ghost hunting and I have personally come back with plenty of interesting pics. I have taken others down there at night and they too have had experiences and gotten some pics of the "ghosts"? There is a Pasadena Paranormal Society that has also gone and gained pics and unexplained experiences.
Namaste,
Kimberly
Outside References:
- Weird Hollywood (2010) by Oesterle, Joe, p: 193
- Ghost Stalker's Guide To Haunted California (1998) by Senate, Richard, p: 130 - 131
- Haunted Southern California (2009) by Stansfield Jr., Charles A., p: 35-36
- Coastal Ghosts of Southern California (2009) by Yasuda, Anita, p: 116 - 117
First Created: 2007-06-30
Last Edited: 2012-12-27
