History in Your Own Backyard Videos

Gatekeepers Of Hidden Treasures

Indian Creek Phantom Bridge, Lawrenceville, Illinois
Built in 1923 and bypassed just 34 years later when State Route 1 was realigned, this Phantom Bridge sits abandonded over Indian Creek just south of Lawrenceville, Illinois. The former route that this bridge carries now mysteriously disappears into the woods.

The Haunted Wabash Cannonball Bridge, St. Francisville, Illinois
Built in 1897 for the Big 4 Railroad, this bridge has had numerous updates over the years including the addition of a “Swing Bridge” in the center of the structure to allow tall ship to navigate up and down the Wabash River. The bridge is also reported to be haunted which is explained in the video. This is probably one of the more interesting and “fun” bridges to drive across in North America.

The Vermilion County Fairgrounds Stone Arch Tunnel, Batestown, Illinois
This stone arch tunnel near the Vermilion County Fairgrounds was built in 1901 for the Peoria & Eastern Railway. The rail line was used almost exclusively for grain hauling and the line was last used in the 1990s by Conrail. The bridge spans a seldom used one lane gravel road and also spans a small creek that is channeled next to the road.

Historic Rossville, Illinois
Rossville was incorporated as a village in August 1859. Rossville and Ross Township were named after Jacob Ross, a settler in the area. Rossville was originally named Liggett’s Grove in honor of John Liggett who built a lodging house in 1829. Liggett’s cabin was located on the Hubbard Trail, an early trading route established by Gordon Hubbard from Chicago to Danville. In 1833, this became the first state highway (now Illinois Route 1) and in 1914 was made part of the Dixie Highway.