Indiana LogoIndiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
Home
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • The Twenty in 20 Lists
    • State Nature Passport
    • Culinary Passport
    • You Voted - See the Winners!

    VIDEOS

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Amusement & Water Parks
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas
    • Themed Trails
    • Roadside Attractions

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Hiking & Biking Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts
    • Farmers Markets

    Visitor Services

    • Visitor Centers
    • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Associations / Councils

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Road Trips
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries
    • Event Venues

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Explore Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Contests
  • Discounts
  • Blog
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • For the Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • Hoosiers by Choice
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • Take a Quarter Mile Ride on the Historic Cannon Ball Bridge

Take a Quarter Mile Ride on the Historic Cannon Ball Bridge

By Marilyn Culler on June 17, 2021
Back

A recent stop at the Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area Visitor Center turned into a bridge quest! I was stunned to learn that I had never heard of a really cool historic bridge in Southwest Indiana. So off we set to cross the Cannon Ball Bridge!

A Train Song

Why hadn’t I heard of Cannon Ball Bridge? After all, I grew up listening to Roy Acuff sing “The Wabash Cannonball!”

The bridge is significant in both history and engineering. Winding west from Vincennes in Knox County, a sign points visitors to the bridge. This one-lane, two-section bridge crosses the Wabash River, connecting Vincennes, Indiana with St. Francisville, Illinois.

The Bridge

The bridge carried the famous Wabash Cannon Ball train at one time. The 17-span bridge includes spans from 1897, 1904 and 1924. The structure initially served as a railroad bridge over the Wabash River. The railroad abandoned the bridge in 1965.

Cannon Ball Bridge is 1441 feet in length. The 235-foot center span was originally a swing bridge. The bridge is currently owned by the state of Illinois, which operates a toll booth on the west side of the bridge.

This one-lane wonder has to be approached with care. Turn on your lights and look to make sure another vehicle isn’t coming from the opposite direction. If you’re heading west from Indiana and don’t want to cross into Illinois, use the turnaround spot to cautiously cross back over the bridge.

The bridge is known by several names. Stangle Bridge references the farmer who bought it in 1968 and converted it for vehicular use. Purple Head Bridge relates to local tales of the bridge being haunted.  St. Francisville Bridge refers to the town on the Illinois side of the Wabash.

This unique bridge is worth the drive. Turn up the music and enjoy “The Wabash Cannonball” and its bridge!

Along the Way

Stop by the pumpkin patch at “The Big Peach” north of Vincennes. Stop by Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area in West Terre Haute for a little wildlife viewing. The Wabash River always has something to offer.

Map

Related Posts

Everyone Can Create Memories at These Accessible Attractions in Indiana Hoosier National Forest 101: Hardin Ridge & Charles Deam Wilderness

Related Topics

  • Bird Watching
  • DNR
  • Family Fun
  • History
  • Indiana
  • Rural & Small Towns
  • Vincennes
  • West

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IDDC
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2020

 

Privacy Policy