Haunted Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower located in Paris, France, is one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

It was built for the 1889 World's Fair as an entrance gate. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, he initially offered his design to Barcelona Spain. Officials in Barcelona rejected it stating the unique structure would not fit well in their city.

1889 Exposition
Universelle

The tower is 1063 feet tall, the equivalent of an 89-story building. It was initially built as a temporary structure with plans to tear it down. But in 1909, a group of French citizens realizing its importance as a radio/telegraph tower convinced the city not to take it down.

Known as the Iron Lady the tower played a crucial role in communications during the First World War.

A myth about the tower is that people can see it from the top floors of buildings around the city--this is not true. A city ordinance does not allow for buildings to have more than seven floors. This is the reason the tower is still the tallest structure in Paris today.

To date, over 700 million people have visited the tower. Unfortunately, over 400 of these visitors committed suicide by jumping off the tower. Since the 1960s added safety measures have drastically cut down on the number of deaths.

Eiffel Tower

A favorite romantic story is connected to one of these suicides. Two people that jumped actually survived the fall. One of these was a woman who smashed into a car and survived. She later married the man who owned this car.

A female ghost that haunts the Eiffel Tower is heard on one upper level. Her spirit is not a result of one of the suicides, instead she was a murder victim.

A pair of young lovers arranged to meet at their favorite spot--the Eiffel Tower. The man intended to propose, but his young girlfriend intended to break up with him.

His hopes dashed he became enraged at being dumped. He then either pushed or threw her over the side of the tower to her death.

Ever since in the spot where she fell from the tower, visitors report hearing a strange set of sounds.

First, female giggles heard then this sound turns into an argumentative plea. Then screams are heard. This same sequence is always reported. 

An odd side note to this haunting is a story about a replica of the Eiffel Tower located at an amusement park in Ohio that is haunted as well. But this story is for another post.

Pasadena’s Suicide Bridge

Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California is 150 feet tall and was constructed over an 18-month period in 1912-13. It was the highest concrete bridge of its time and was considered an engineering feat.

Before the completion of this bridge people had to cross the Arroyo Seco canyon using horses and wagons. They had to descend a steep eastern slope and cross a bridge over the canyon’s steam then they had to climb back up the west bank through Eagle Rock Pass.

Building this bridge was not an easy task. Engineers could find no solid footing in this seasonably wet arroyo bed. An engineer, John Drake Mercereau solved this problem by curving the bridge 50 degrees to the south.

This not only worked it created a graceful design of soaring arches and a curved deck that eventually placed the bridge on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

This bridge was built along the historic Route 66 and connected Pasadena to Los Angeles. But its two lanes quickly became clogged with traffic and by the 1930s * was considered inadequate.

*  The Colorado Street Bridge was featured in the Charlie Chaplain film City Lights in 1931. Ironically, Chaplain’s character convinces a man not to jump--that life is worth living.

A New Reputation

Because of the Colorado Street Bridge’s height it became a chosen place for suicides. The first known person to jump off the bridge was in 1919.

During the Great Depression in the years 1933-37 many people jumped off this bridge to their deaths. Over the years, more than 100 people have ended their lives in this manner at this spot.

By the early 1980s this bridge was in major disrepair--chunks of concrete fell from its ornate arches and railings. After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, the bridge was closed as a precaution.

After this, federal and state funds were raised--27 million dollars--in order to renovate the bridge.

In 1993, this project was completed--including a suicide prevention rail being put in place. But suicides still occur.

Some locals state cynically that this rail was not built high enough. The Colorado Street Bridge--is on what is now Colorado Boulevard. This is the route that the New Year’s Rose Parade follows. It is said the rail was kept low to insure the bridges esthetic appeal remained intact.

Lost Souls

Because of the large amount of suicides that have occurred this bridge is often called Suicide Bridge. It is because of these deaths that the bridge and the arroyo canyon and park below are considered to be haunted.

Some believe when you commit suicide your soul is doomed to wander. If this is true--the Colorado Street Bridge--appears to be proof.

An apparition of a man wearing wire-framed glasses has been seen on the bridge many times as well as woman wearing a long flowing white robe.

Her apparition is seen climbing to the top of one parapet preparing to jump. When people approach to help she is no longer there.

While on the bridge drivers report seeing in the middle of the road another female apparition. Most state they had to swerve to avoid hitting her--but then she just vanishes.

Underneath the bridge others have reported seeing phantoms wandering the area. Some have heard unexplained noises, such as crying and screams.

One couple walking in the tunnel under the bridge reported that as they passed each of the six lights that illuminate this path they went out. When they looked back the entire area was pitch black.