Bellamy Bridge GhostSouthern Folklore and Florida Panhandle Legend
I ain't travelling to look for no haint in no swamp. I ain't travelling to look for no haint in no swamp. Origin
The story begins in the early 1800s with Dr. Samuel C. Bellamy and his bride, Elizabeth. According to legend, Elizabeth died tragically soon after their marriage - some say she caught fire in a terrible accident, others claim she succumbed to fever. Heartbroken, Samuel never recovered, and locals claimed Elizabeth’s spirit began appearing near the bridge that bore the family’s name.
For nearly two centuries, tales of a woman in a glowing white dress wandering the swamp have been passed down in the Florida Panhandle, making Bellamy Bridge one of the state’s oldest and most famous ghost stories.
Notes
Legacy
Today, the Bellamy Bridge Ghost is a celebrated part of Florida folklore. The site hosts ghost walks and draws visitors every Halloween season. Whether she’s seen as a restless spirit or simply a story that refuses to die, Elizabeth Bellamy’s legend continues to haunt the Southern imagination.
Related Pages
- Booger Man
- Folklore: Brown Mountain Lights - Appalachian Mystery and Southern Folklore
- Folklore: Mothman - Appalachian Folklore and West Virginia Legend
- Folklore: The Bell Witch - Famous Southern Ghost Story and Folklore
- Folklore: Wampus Cat - Appalachian Monster and Southern Folklore
- Scared Half to Death
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 1). Bellamy Bridge Ghost
Southern Folklore and Florida Panhandle Legend . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/bellamy-bridge-ghost-florida - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Bellamy Bridge Ghost
Southern Folklore and Florida Panhandle Legend ." HillbillySlang.com, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/bellamy-bridge-ghost-florida. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Bellamy Bridge Ghost
Southern Folklore and Florida Panhandle Legend ." HillbillySlang.com. October 1, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/bellamy-bridge-ghost-florida.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
Learn more on the Folklore hub page.