The Travel Channel has a show called Most Terrifying Places in America. They’ve been on for a couple seasons now, and they’ve finally gotten around to the most terrifying place I know of – Stuckey’s Bridge.
I was born in Meridian, Mississippi, near the bridge, and heard the creepy legend of the man locals refer to as Ole Man Stuckey my whole life.
Legend has it he was a member of the notorious Dalton Gang, but he was so evil, he was kicked out. He found his way to Lauderdale County, Mississippi where he opened an inn on the Chunky River.
At that time, the river was used to transport goods and produce down to the gulf. Ole Man Stuckey was known to pace the old bridge every evening at dusk, waving his lantern, and offering travelers a warm meal and a soft bed.
In 1901, the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company began rebuilding the 50-year-old wooden bridge. During the project, they discovered bodies buried on the banks.
The townsfolk were suspicious about the creepy man who ran the inn and rounded up a posse to go find him. The mob took him down to the bridge, tied a noose around his neck, and hung him from the new iron rails of the bridge.
His body dangled over the river for five days. When the sheriff cut him down, he splashed into the river below.
Strangely enough, the ghosts around Stuckey’s Bridge today don’t seem to be the victims. The ghost seems to be Ole Man Stuckey, himself. Unexplained lights are witnessed. Footsteps on the bridge and loud splashes into the water below are heard. An apparition of a man walking across the bridge, waving a lantern, is occasionally seen.
We taped the episode for the show last week, and in typical Stuckey-style, there were a few strange occurrences while we were there. A couple phones when crazy for a few minutes. A drone used to take footage of the river and the bridge crashed. We all heard it splash into the water, but when we ran onto the bridge to look over the railing for it, we saw it up in a tree. I wonder what the splash was…
I’ve written three books about the legend (available at Amazon, click here). That’s why they asked me to participate in the show. It was fun to go back home for the day, and I loved being out there again. It’s a cool place and it was a beautiful spring day! I’m very grateful my part of the show was wrapped up before nightfall.
Here’s my cousin dressed up to play the part of Ole Man Stuckey! This picture was taken long after I skedaddled out of there by Stuckey Bridge Canoe and Kayak
Sweet Dreams…
Lori Crane 
I grew up down the rd from the bridge an i have family who leases out land there for deer camps. Ive always hung out on the river an under the bridge at night. Never have i ever seen or heard anything. If anything yall had some people that knew yall was there an was messing with yall. Grant you the story is real but it being haunted only lives in everyone’s imaginations.
You are blessed to grow up there! It’s an awesome place!
I have some arial footage of the bridge I shot in 2k that I don’t mind sharing for the project if you need it.
Thanks Tony! The producers are out of NY, but I’ll shoot them a message and let them know. I’m sure they got everything they needed, but you never know.
A creepy story.
The old man was pretty creepy, and I had a blast bringing him to life in the story. I didn’t know how close to psychopathy my brain could actually work. LOL.
Grew up in the area and still live and work in Meridian. Back in the 90’s when we were in high school, we would go there on Halloween. People would hide out around there and scare folks. I’ve heard stories but never seen anything myself. Me and the family float the Chunky River about 5xs a year. Beautiful place.
I think Halloween would be the BEST time to go down there. What a blast!!!
When will it be coming on ? I live in Meridian and sure don’t wanna miss it
Hi Tammy! We just finished filming Thursday, so it’ll take them a while to edit. I would think a couple months. I’ll announce it as soon as I know.
Thank you Lori 🙂
I’m from Meridian and I’d like to know when it comes on too.
I’ll let everyone know as soon as I get a date from the producer! 🙂
Why does the local merdian public library not carry a copy of your book?
Linda, I sure don’t know why. 🙂
Hello, me and my family stayed by the bridge. We own the land close to the bridge.
Hi Lele!! Thanks for stopping by. We were down there last Thursday. It was 85 and humid, just like it always is when I come down. 🙂 Y’all live in a beautiful part of the country!!
Very exciting news, Lori! Can’t wait to see the show.
It was fun taping it. I’ll let you know when it’s set to air.
I wish there were known photos of “Stuckey”.
Me, too!!
Just now seeing this about the airing ….I missed it 😦
You didn’t miss it yet, Tammy! They haven’t set an air date yet, still editing. I’ll post again when it’s set to air.
Thank you Lori 🙂 I am so glad I didn’t miss it