Historic Evansville
The definitive site for all things historic in Evansville
Railroad Lines and Stops
Below are the railroads that serviced the Evansville area, along with information about stops and crossings.Evansville & Crawfordsville RR (1850s)
St Louis & South Eastern RR (1871)
Southern RR (c1873)
Evansville & Indianapolis RR (c1880)
Belt RR (1881)
Peoria, Decatur, & Evansville RR (1881)
Louisville & Nashville RR (1885)
Ohio Valley RR (1888)
ES&N RR (1889)
ES&N - Boonville RR (1905)
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St Louis RR (c1910)
Bypass (1970s)
To see these on a modern map check out this railroad map.
Evansville & Crawfordsville (E & C) RR / Evansville & Terre Haute (E & TH) RR / Chicago & Eastern Illinois (C & EI) RR
Chartered in 1853, the Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad was the first to service Evansville. It helped the town be connected to the rest of the world and fostered its growth. The E & C RR was a merger of two smaller railroads, The Evansville & Illinois RR planned on connecting Evansville to Mt Carmel, Ill. and Olney, Ill. via princton (which began the construction of the track in c1850) to connect evansville to mt carmel and olney via princeton 1849 (built track from evv to vin) first train arrived princeton 1852 1851 Wabash RR - Vincennes to Terre Haute to Crawfordsville When the two merged in 1853 it was chartered as the Evansville and Crawfordsville RR. The track was completed to Terre Haute that year It appears in 1852 map with depot at near main came into city on williams (sycamore)
The railroad was later renamed the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad in 1877. A formal 1884 e&th rr passenger depot 8th and main, freight depot 8th opposite locust, shops and yard heidelbach opposite olive 1895 same
In 1911, the railroad consolidated into Chicago and Eastern Illinois (C & E I) RR along with the Evansville Belt RR still around1951
parallels US-41 yards nw of pigeon creek bridge (us41) but nothing remains http://www.railroadkeys.com/history/ETHRR.html
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Depot / Union Station / E & TH Depot | ***TERMINUS*** | Main and 8th |
| Sou RR crosses/splits off | ||
| Virginia St | underpass | |
| Columbia St | ||
| Belt RR | splits near Morgan Ave | |
| Maxwell Ave | ||
| Diamond Ave | underpass | |
| Belt Yard | ||
| fairgrounds | south of pigeon cr, near fendrich property? | |
| Pigeon Creek | ||
| Straight Line Junction | Where E & I RR splits off | |
| St George Rd | ||
| Fares Ave | ||
| Erskine Station | Petersburg Rd | |
| Mt Pleasant Rd | ||
| bypass redirect west | ||
| Hillsdale Rd | ||
| State Road/Princeton Rd | Old State Rd | |
| Boonville-New Harmony Rd | ||
| Ingle Station | Inglefield Rd | near Saundersville |
| Baseline Rd | originally just a crossing, an overpass was completed 2010 over the railroad | |
| Stacer Sta/Nashua | Stacer Rd | |
| Haubstadt ... Princeton ... Terre Haute | Continues on north |
St Louis & Southeastern (StL & S E) RR
The second railroad in Evansville was the St. Louis and Southeastern Railway. In 1871, the StL & S E RR extended its track from Mt. Vernon, Ill. 85 miles to Evansville. It connected the city with St. Louis and as imporantly St Louis with the southeast. The Stl & S E RR erected a bridge to pass over Pigeon Creek, and the track extended eastward through town and connected with the E & C RR. The railroad also built yards and freight and passenger depots on Pearl St near the Ohio River. Initially, a ferry was used to carry cargo from Evansville to Henderson, Ky., but even at that time plans were in the works to build a bridge across the Ohio River. This was later done in 1885 (see L & N RR).
In 1880, the railroad was reorganized as the South East and St. Louis Railway. It was leased to the Louisville & Nashville (L & N) RR who operated the railroad and was sometimes referred to as the St Louis Division or Branch of the L&N. It was ultimately acquired by the L&N in 1936. http://www.railroadkeys.com/history/EHNRR.html
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Howell | ||
| Ray Becker Pkwy (overpass) | ||
| Barker Ave / Claremont Ave / Leslie St | ||
| Ingle Ave | ||
| N Howell | Tekoppel Ave | |
| Lloyd Expy (underpass) | ||
| split to XXX Co | ||
| Hogue Rd | ||
| Red Bank Rd | ||
| N Boehne Camp Rd | ||
| Peerless Rd | ||
| Eichoff Rd / University Pkwy | ||
| Utzelman Rd | ||
| Belknap | Hogue Rd | |
| Posey County Line Rd | ||
| St Philip's Station ... Mt Vernon ... St. Louis, Mo. | Continues on west |
Lake Erie, Evansville & South Western (L E E & S W) RR / Southern RR
After the Wabash and Erie Canal failed, the land proved suitable for train travel. Started c1871 as the Lake Erie, Evansville, & South Western RR (L E E & S W) 1876 atlas followed Erie Canal creek bed out of evansville to boonville built 1873
1879 Evansville Local Trade RR In 1879, the L E E & S W was reorganized as the Evansville Local Trade Railroad, and it continued the track to Gentryville.
The railroad was renamed the Evansville, Rockport, & Eastern Railroad in 1880, though it appears as Evansville & Eastern RR in the 1880 atlas.
The E R & E RR was absorbed by the Louisville, New Albany & St Louis (L N A & StL) RR in 1881. With Evansville being a central locaion it was renamed in 1882 as Louisville, Evansville & St Louis (L E & StL) RR. 1884 offices on elsas freight house along division 1895 l e & stl passenger sta nw cor elsas and division, freight same, engine house ne corner governor and division 1899 atlas
In a merger with several other railroads in 1900, the L E & StL became part of the Southern Railway.
In 1982 the railway merged with Norfolk & Western RR to create Norfolk Southern, the current railroad owner
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Depot | Heidelbach/Elsas | |
| Lafayette | ||
| Governor | ||
| Elliott | ||
| Garvin | ||
| Morton | ||
| Kentucky Ave | ||
| Canal St / US 41 | ||
| Willow Rd | ||
| Weinbach Ave | ||
| Boeke Rd | ||
| Stockwell Rd | ||
| Smythe | Green River Rd | |
| Garvin / Burkhardt Sta | Burkhardt Rd | |
| Cross Point Blvd | ||
| I164 | ||
| Stevenson Station Chandler ... Louisville, Ky. | Continues on east |
Evansville & Indianapolis (E & I) RR
evansville, indianapolis, & cleveland straight line railroad graded route to petersburg ?evansville washington & worthington began construction to maysville, in (washington) 1878 Indianapolis & Evansville Railway company (Washington to Evansville) organized 1880 . The 1880 Atlas shows the I & E RR, but it's possible it was only still planned since the split is too close to town land acquired and organized by E & TH built 1884 between evansville and washington (planned in 1850s but never materialized) Straight Line RR
Evansville, washington and brazil RR (wash to worthington) organized 1883 TH & SE RR (Terre Haute to Worthington) all 3 merged 1885 as E & I RR
terminates in Terre Haute. Even back then the people of evansville couldnt avoid terre haute to travel to Indy built evv to wash Proposed Air Line Railroad (see 1876 Atlas)
The railroad parallels IN-57, which was built in the ? alongside the tracks
I & E RR? 1880 map 1929 E I & TH Ry part of CCC & Stl in 1974 atlas spurs off of e & th at the straigh line junction
Rerouted when airport expanded
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St George | St George Rd | |
| McCutchan Sta | Whetstone Rd | near Millersburg Rd, gone for airport expansion |
| Oak Hill Rd | * replaced mccutchan sta | |
| Igleheart Sta | Kansas Rd | |
| Boonville-New Harmony Rd | ||
| Daylight (Grimwood) | Green River Rd | |
| Ruston Ln | ||
| i164 | ||
| Elliott | Warrick Co Line Rd / Baseline Rd | |
| Elberfeld ... Washington ... Terre Haute | continues on northeast |
Belt RR
Evansville Belt Railway was built around 1881. originally connected the two first rails southeast & STL and the E&th by circling around the city c1881
The Belt RR became part of Chicago & Eastern Illinois (C & EI) RR along with E & TH RR during a 1911 consolidation. Still called C & EI Belt
partially phased out when ccc&stl built? still around in 1974 atlas
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| to peerless pottery? | ||
| Mt Auburn Rd | ||
| Buchanan Rd Spur to west | ||
| L & N junction | Ohio St/9th Ave | |
| Pennsylvania St | Now gone Lloyd Expy | |
| Franklin St | ||
| Maryland St | ||
| Pigeon Creek | bridge | |
| Grove St | ||
| Park St | ||
| P D & E Junction | 7th Ave / Devon St | |
| Fulton Ave | ||
| First Ave | ||
| Oakley St | ||
| Read St | ||
| Morgan Ave | ||
| Baker Ave | ||
| Main St | ||
| Elsas Ave | ||
| Heidelbach Ave | ||
| Lafayette St | ||
| Stringtown / Garvin St | ||
| connects to E & TH |
Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Railroad (PD&E)
In 1881, the Peoria Decatur & Evansville Railroad built through the area. The growing line already had several stops in central Illinois from Peoria to Decatur to Parkersburg. With plans to go to Grayville, Ill., the railroad also got a charter in Indiana and made plans to extend to Evansville.
The P D & E RR was sold at auction in 1900. Illinois Central (I C) RR won the bid and took over the railroad.
I C RR eventually merged into Canadian railway c2000. Parts of the old line, often referred to as the "old PD&E", are still in use.
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I C Depot | ***TERMINUS*** | Franklin St |
| Columbia St | gone/disconnected | |
| Maryland St | gone/disconnected | |
| Fountain Ave | gone/disconnected | |
| Missouri St | gone/disconnected | |
| Louisiana St | gone/disconnected | |
| Florida St | gone/disconnected | |
| Devon St Junction | Belt RR | gone/disconnected |
| Shanklin St | gone/disconnected | |
| Dresden St | gone/disconnected | |
| Florence St | gone/disconnected | |
| Uhlhorn St | gone/disconnected | |
| Keller St | gone/disconnected | |
| Pigeon Creek | gone/disconnected | |
| Diamond Ave | underpass gone/disconnected | |
| Harwood Yard / Smithland | Allens Ln | now merges with bypass |
| Vanderburg | Mill Rd | spur to plastics co? |
| St Joseph Ave | ||
| Kleitz Rd | ||
| Meyers Station | Kuebler Rd | |
| Wilcox | Orchard Rd | |
| Boonville-New Harmony Rd | ||
| Armstrong | Cynthiana Rd | |
| Trapp Rd | ||
| Martin | Baseline Rd | |
| Posey County Line Rd | ||
| St Wendel ... Poseyville ... Peoria, Ill. ... Decatur, Ill. | continues on northwest |
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L&N Depot | ***TERMINUS*** | |
| Pennsylvania St / Lloyd Expy | Passed by Evv Furniture Factory | |
| Indiana St | ||
| Illinois St | ||
| IC Depot | ****** | Franklin St |
Get more info at P D & E website
Louisville & Nashville (L & N) RR
train bridge built 1885 charter for bridge 1872, Proposed to cross Ohio near howell and then Ky side to Henderson (see 1875 atlas) 1879 had ferry/bridge rights Helped spur the growth of the town of Howell, Ind. where the train yards were Continued a track and built a proper depot on Fulton Ave split off of St Louis & S E RR and headed south 1895 freight house still on pearl, passenger station fifth ave sw cor ohio, pde not connected evansville henderson and nashville l&n took over? Article in Courier 1/3/14 westside 1885 begun 1881 completed in 1885 until L&N built the route through Union Twp with a bridge at henderson connecting the city with St. Louis.
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| L & N Depot | ***TERMINUS*** | Fulton Ave | |
| Ohio St | |||
| Pigeon Creek | L & N Bridge over Pigeon Creek | ||
| Belt RR | connects? | ||
| StL & S E RR | Track splits off rebuilt | ||
| crosses Broadway Ave | |||
| Howell | Howell Train Yard | Howell | |
| glendale used to cross | |||
| Tekoppel Ave overpass | |||
| Nurrenbern Rd | |||
| Bayou Creek Rd | |||
| Cypress / Dogtown | Cypress Dale Rd | ||
| Vaughn | Duesner Rd | ||
| Rahm | King Rd and Newman Rd | ||
| Ohio River | Track starts to elevate inland with bridge over Old Henderson Rd and Ohio River Bridge connects to Henderson, Ky. | ||
| Henderson, Ky. ...Robards, Ky. ... Nashville, Tenn. | Continues on south |
Ohio Valley (OV) RR
Ohio Valley 1888 (different than Evansville and Ohio Valley RR which was founded later) Gilbert Ave us 41 rerouted to along/near railroad bed spur at Servel bridge over Ohio? 1895 ov freight depot on main st ext, shared e&th depot
1897 Chicago StL and NO RR
became part of Illinois Central RR 1951 much removed when US41 built though the track bed is visible near akin park and other spots
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canal St / Kentucky Ave / Division St | ||
| New York | ||
| Kerth | ||
| Fares/walnut | ||
| Cherry | ||
| Lincoln | ||
| Bellmeade | ||
| Gum | ||
| Bayard Park Dr | ||
| Chandler | ||
| Powell | ||
| Blackford | ||
| Washington | ||
| Adams | ||
| Jefferson | ||
| Madison | ||
| Monroe | ||
| Taylor | ||
| Ravenswood | ||
| Covert | ||
| Shale | ||
| Waggoner | ||
| Riverside | ||
| Sweetzer | ||
| Conlin | ||
| Graham | ||
| Bayse | ||
| State Line | Shawnee Dr/Waterworks (Green River Rd) | |
| Ohio River | bridge or ferry? |
Evansville Suburban & Newburgh (E S & N) RR
opened 1889 dummy mislabelled in 1899 atlas as E N & S RR on main map 1895 down 5th from main up canal followed sou RR to wesselmen electric 1905 1907 extended to rockport 9 (ejn 6/2/07) abandoned 1930 passenger freight closes 1940s split off of Sou RR on to newburgh 1900 branch to Boonville http://southernindianatrails.freehostia.com/graphics/wesselman/esn/esn.htm Slaughter Ave Stockwell Lincoln (near Green) Washington (near Newburgh) ? appears road no longer there Fuquay Rd can see wooded tree line and property lines
Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St Louis (C C C & StL) RR
The Evansville Mt. Carmel & Northern Railway built through the county 1911. This station was built where the railroad crosses Nisbet Rd. The Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago & St. Louis Railroad (CCC & Stl RR) operated the Evansville Branch that ran from Mt Carmel to Evansville followed along pigeon creek (later replaced western section of Belt RR) passenger discontinued 1942 In c1920 postcard and 1951 map as New York Central RR ccc&stl in 1974 now inactive and partially removed easily seen from aerial http://www.abandonedrails.com/Evansville_Mount_Carmel_and_Northern_Railroad also called big four
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L & N RR junction | Ohio St/9th Ave | |
| Lloyd Expy (underpass) | ||
| franklin St | ||
| maryland St | ||
| Belt RR | crosses | |
| Pigeon Creek | ||
| diamond ave | ||
| IC RR junction | Allens Ln | |
| Mill Rd | ||
| Wimberg Rd | ||
| Laubscher Mill Rd | street no longer crosses border or city dump | |
| Mohr Rd | ||
| Bypass splits | ||
| Schenk Rd | Schene Rd in 1874 | |
| Orchard Rd | ||
| St Joseph Ave | ||
| Davy | Boonville-New Harmony Rd | |
| Bender Rd | ||
| Maasberg Rd | ||
| Baseline Rd | ||
| Wallenmeier | ||
| Nisbet | Nisbet Rd / Baehl/Baehel Rd | |
| Pruitt Rd / Scott Rd | ||
| I-64 | ||
| County Line Rd | ||
| Cynthiana ... Mt. Carmel, Ill. | Continues on northwest |
Evansville-Princeton Interurban Traction Line
From Evansville to Princeton 1903 1906 evansville princeton and vincennes (future track) 1908 evansville & southern indiana traction co 1912 sigeco abandoned 1933 http://local.evpl.org/views/viewimage.asp?ID=907373
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stringtown | ||
| Pigeon Creek | ||
| connects/follows to E&TH |
bypass
built >1974 to divert traffic from downtown evansville L&N Evansville bypass
| Railroad Stops | Railroad Crossings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| darmstadt rd | ||
| old state rd | ||
| connects to E&TH |
Traction Lines
Traction lines c1919 Street car 1967 main and 1st to 8th (depot) 2nd cross city added to cooks park (attraction) and cheap land built street car stables next was to oak hill cemetery september 1892 first electric replaced horse/mule helped spur suburb growth (from evansville energizes everything: a story of the metroplis of the southwest)c1919EAST SIDE LINES
Washington Ave - Washington Ave terminates at Kentucky Ave and is 2 1/2 miles long. This car traverses one of the finest residential sections we have in the city and one that is growing very fast >8th to Washington Later extended by 1929 to BosseGreen River Road The Green River Road Line goes down Second, up Adams Avenue and out Green River Road (E Riverside) to Kentucky Ave, going through a section of the city where a man of moderate means who desires to own his own home, may secure a neat and comfortable bungalow at a very modest price. This line is 2 1/2 miles long. >2nd to Riverside
Walnut Street The Walnut Street Line is 2 1/2 miles long and terminates at Oak Hill Cemetery. This goes through a section, with the exception of Walnut Street, which is business houses, which will compare favorably with the Green River Road Line >Walnut to E Walnut to Willow Rd, jog at Division
Bellemeade & Lombard The Bellemeade & Lombard Avenue Line runs to Lombard Avenue, distance of 4 miles. This line goes through one continued sub-division of beautiful bungalows and a great many workmen who work in the factories own homes that have been sold in this neighborhood at very reasonable terms, giving them from 10 to 15 years to pay for same, with a small payment down, in order to save paying rent. They have electric lights and water and all improvements. >8th to Bellemeade
Bellemeade Avenue The Bellemeade Avenue Line terminates at the I.C. R.R. tracks, going over the same track as the Bellemeade and Lombard; distance 2 1/2 miles. There is nothing particular about this line other than it goes through part of a negro settlement. >8th to Bellemeade between kerth and harlan (near us41)
WEST SIDE LINES
Howell Lines The Howell Line runs to Howell a suburb of Evansville proper; a small city within itself, schools fire department, and all prublic improvements, including a $450,000 High School; distance of this line 4 miles. The L&N Railroad Shops and numerous other big plants are situated on this line. >Fulton to Franklin to Barker to BroadwayWest Heights Line The West Heights Line runs to West Heights, which is opposite the Country Club; distance 3 3/4 miles. This line has been used greatly by the workmen for securing homes, as they have only environment of country life, including gardens, cows, chickens and still enjoy city privileges and schools >Fulton to Franklin to Mt Vernon Ave to Harmony Way to between wimberg and cave
Oak Summit Line The Oak Summit Line runs to Mesker Park. This park is owned by the city and contains 250 acres, with the most excellent fire proof shelter house, band stand and numerous other buildings. Property was acquired by the city this distance on account of the city growing so fast in this directions; distance 3 1/2 miles. This park is used by the industrial workers of the city for their annual picnics and other gathersings and for out-door recreations generally. > Fulton to Franklin to St Joe to Mesker Park Dr to between wimberg and buchanan opposite (st joe cemetery)
NORTH SIDE LINES
Main Street Line - The Main Street Line terminates at Morgan Avenue. At the end of this line, which is a distance of 2 miles, there is situated Garvin's Park, one of the finest parks in this end of the country. Garvin's Park is equipped with swimming pools, shelter house, a $60,000 concrete stadium for baseball and athletic sports, wading pool for children, a play ground and municipal band stand where concerts are held every Sunday afternoon during the summer months. > Main to Morgan. later loop morgan heidelbach and louisiana and extended to olmstead by 1929Michigan & Garvin Line - The Michigan and Garvin Street Line runs out Main Street, terminating at Morgan Avenue, a distance of two miles. At the end of this line are the large plants of the Evansville Planing Mill, Faultless Caster Company, Graham Bros Tractor Company and numerous other large plants. It passes through a settlement of nearly all workmen with a fairly high type of homes. >Main to Michigan to Garvin to Morgan/RR
Mary Street Line - The Mary Street Line terminates at Morgan Avenue, a distance of 2 miles. This line is more of an industrial line than any other car line in the city, for it terminates at Morgan Avenue, where are situated some of the largest plants we have in the city, such as Igleheart Bros, Schelosky Table Company, Klamer-Goebel Furniture Company, U. S. Furniture Company, Von Behren Manufacturing Company, Evansville Packing Company and numerous other big plants. >Main to Franklin to Mary (jog at Columbia) to Louisiana to First Ave to Morgan
Fulton Avenue Line - The Fulton Avenue Line terminates at 28th Street (), distance of 2 1/2 miles and this line, like the others of a like nature is an industrial line, going by the homes of the working men and its termination will be found large plants such as the Southern Stove Works, Schmadel Packing & Ice Company and others. >3rd to Court to Market/Second Ave to Columbia to Fulton to between cedar and cody
Cook's Park Line - The Cook's Park Line terminates at Pigeon Creek on West Maryland Street, a distance of 2 miles. At the end of this line is situated the largest individual furniture manufacturing plan in the world-- the Globe-Bosse-World Furniture Company, owned by the mayor of the city. We also have the Evansville Tool Works, big exporters of edge tools; also the Wertz-Klamer Furniture Company, Lincoln Cotton Mills, Crescent Stove Works and many others of a like nature. Cook's Park is the great industrial recreation play ground; has a modern roller-coaster and other amusements, including theatre, restaurant privileges, etc. Admission to this park is free up to 7:00 P.M. at night, then a small admission of 10¢ is charged. Free band concerts held daily during the season. >3rd to Court to Market/Second Ave to Columbia to Fulton to Maryland to Grove; car shops at terminus
We feel in Evansville that we are blessed with car lines and over-blessed with the price of transportation-5¢, and the company has no complaint to make and are well satisfied with the Evansville business CAR SHOPS at Maryland and Grove CAR BARN at Riverside and Goodsell