Vincenes Depots & Purple head

[Cmdr_Suds]

Here are some pictures of the depots in Vincennes plus one of Purple Head bridge

[CSX2605]

Excellent photos!! The good old days!  Here are a few of purple head  from 1930 and the mid 40's.

[CSX2605]

Cmdr Suds,  I just can't place where the 4th picture is taken at. I don't think its Washington Ave. Does it say anything on the picture? Thanks

[Chessie4155]

It looks like it could be college ave.

[Fitch]

 Purple Head??...........Gotta be a story there......

[Cmdr_Suds]

This is a picture of the old Signalman's tower for the B&O railroad at the College Avenue intersection, looking northeast. the street in the foreground is 4th St., the tracks shown lead to the yard, while the main line would be to the right, out of the frame.

[Railfan407]

Purple Head??...........Gotta be a story there......

Oh yes.  Purplehead= St. Francisville Bridge. 

Read about it here-
http://rking.vinu.edu/head.htm

I've spent a lot of time on that bridge and in that area when I was in college.  Such a neat area!  I love it out there.  I have my own pictures somewhere....

[Cmdr_Suds]

More photos of Purple head, the B&O and other stuff

[IU_Tower]

Ummmm... not to be knit-picky, but pics 8 & 9 are the B&O. Not the CCC&StL.

And what's the date on the clipping of the B&O span opening? That's a neat little story.

[Cmdr_Suds]

I thought some might appreciate those pics since they have removed the swing span from that bridge.
If anyone has a facebook account, go check out the group "Vincennes Indiana remember when" and check out the pictures.  That is where I found these.

[Cmdr_Suds]

March 29, 1939. The Railroad bridge was turned to allow a large boat to pass.  See following story:

"This boat travelled up the Ohio and Wabash river to be docked at the Vincennes boat club. The boat was purchased by L.A. Wilkerson and Dexter Gardner. The boat was a two-decker with a stern paddle. It featured a double cabin with a kitchen and well equipped lounge. It took five days to travel to Vincennes from Evansville (due to bridges that had... Read More to be turned or lifted. It was noted in the Vincennes Sun Commercial article that quite a crowd came to see the vessel pass through the bridge. It took no more than one minute to turn the bridge. This was the first time the bridge had been turned since the summer of 1938."

Here is another interesting link:
http://bridgehunter.com/il/lawrence/st-francisville/

[Cmdr_Suds]

Just found this link on youtube:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/OgVHKXQZGI4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/OgVHKXQZGI4</a>

[Cmdr_Suds]

Heres another video I found.  The bridge is in much better shape these days:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/zmOjUv9Y4Yw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/zmOjUv9Y4Yw</a>

[IT1605]

Is Vincenes a hotspot?

[IU_Tower]

Is Vincenes a hotspot?

Not as much of a hotspot as it was back in the late 80's/early 90's. Pretty much a North-South railroad town now. Still has some old B&O CPL's at the diamond and along the little used Illinois Sub to StL

IU