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Portal Photos taken December 2005 by handysmurf7800 [at] gmail.com |
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Driving across |
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Traffic |
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Deck view |
It's strange to hear about the bridge that is so usual to we who live in the area. I've travelled over the St.F bridge so many times. I never had any type of odd or paranormal expieriences while doing so. I wish I would have.The only time I had any thing happen was when a tree had fallen across it and we had to drive off it in reverse from the middle. Not too much fun for someone afraid of water and bridges!!!
I never knew the bridge even had gears and rotated at one time. I am curious and will definately delve into the amazing history of St. F bridge.
My grandfather, Isaac Orlando Caldwell,ran the ferryboat in St Francisville. I have many fond memories playing on the boat as a child.
I grew up in Mt. Carmel and have driven over this bridge many times over the years -- even on bicycle. The last time was in the summer of 2006 -- in the dark. Terrifying! Driving on a bridge with a wooden deck (with nice holes so you can see the swirling waters of the Wabash below) is just not something you expect to do in the 21st century.
As for its history: allegedly it was originally constructed by the King Bridge Company in Wilmington, Delaware in 1897, then bought by the railroad, dismantled, and rebuilt on its current site in 1906.
This is a link to a video posted on Youtube. Crossing the Cannonball bridge, February, 2007.
When the pics were taken there was a large fresh burned area on the upstream Illinois side ... presumably where they had dragged out all the wood and burned it since it is now gone.
It would have been done within a couple of weeks of the time the photos were taken because there was absolutely no new plant growth.
The gears are still there but not viewable from the road deck. You would have to climb over the guardrail and onto the center pier or abuntment to see them.
If I had a lawyer I'm sure I would be advised to also say that this is not advised LOL!!
You would also have to walk as the bridge is now well used during the day and I'm sure well patrolled at night due to it's stint as the sight of paranormal activity during the time it was condemed (somewhere between 5 and 10 years). So there would be no parking in the middle of it and there are few places to park once on the road that leads to it.
One the IN side you would have about a 1/2 mile walk. On the IL side there is one side access road left due to large oil storage tanks very near the portal.
My friends and I embarked on a 185 mile kayak trip down the Wabash River, and as a result, encountered innumerable bridges... This bridge stands out very clearly in my memory though. At the time of our passage, the bridge seemed to be in similar condition as shown in the photographs, however; there was a rather large log jam in evidence, making passage even in kayak, rather difficult. Although we did take time to admire the enormous gear system, that allowed the bridge to swing at one point in time, these gears are still clearly visible from the water, however I don't know how well you will be able to see them from shore.
My husband and I drove across the bridge at St. Francisville about five years. ago. My mother grew up in St. Francisville, and at that time, our family would drive onto Ike Caldwell's ferry boat and ride across the river from Indiana to St. Francisville. This was in the 1950's and 60's. I'm not sure when the old ferry boat was retired, but it was quite a treat to cross the Wabash on a bridge with a "bird's eye" view.
