The Abandoned State Route 129 Phantom Bridge, Cross Plains, Indiana
Hidden in the woods on the west side of State Route 129 between the towns of Olean and Cross Plains Indiana are the remains of this single lane stone arch bridge which spans Little Raccoon Creek. Southeastern Indiana is littered with stone arch bridges, some still in use but many like this one were bypassed decades ago and now are just waiting to be discovered back in the woods.
This particular bridge is thought to have been built sometime between 1890 and 1910. The road that the bridge served was known as the Versailles and Vevay Road. Sometime after 1921 this bridge was bypassed when State Route 129 was constructed and now the stone arch span is slowly crumbling away. The entire east side of the bridge has collapsed while the west side is starting to show large cracks.
Invisible during the summer when vegetation is thick, the bridge which is just 100 feet from State Route 129 can barely be seen in the winter if you slow down and look. Just 200 feet to the south of the bridge the former roadway can easily be seen where it intersects with East County Road 750 South.
GPS Location: 38°57’57.4″N 85°12’47.8″W