Since its discovery, those who inhabit our region of the mighty Ohio River have been enamored with its immense power, abundant resources for sustaining life, and exceptional possibilities for travel and commerce. To go along with its amazing benefits, the impressive Ohio River comes with its fair share of challenges. The city of Louisville and surrounding cities, towns, and communities have been a part of these challenges since their founding. One of these hardships was how to cross its daunting current and powerful waves in order to establish trade and transit between its shores and small islands. Alas, the need for bridges arose and changed the landscape and skyline of our community forever!
The five main and most traveled bridges stemming from Louisville, KY give “The River City” a certain identity. From the elegant and timely charm of the George Rodgers Clark Memorial Bridge, to the modern art and architecture of the Abraham Lincoln Bridge, residents and visitors of Louisville can immediately call on them to traverse our region, and in a small way tame the mighty Ohio River. Here are a few of our most magnificent examples of bridges connecting Louisville to southern Indiana.
GEORGE RODGERS CLARK MEMORIAL BRIDGE
The George Rodgers Clark Memorial Bridge, also known locally as the 2nd Street Bridge, is of cantilever construction and was opened for use in 1929. It is currently the oldest bridge in the Louisville area that is still used for automotive traffic, and is the fourth oldest bridge in the region. It continues to serve as the only connection between southern Indiana (Jeffersonville) and direct contact to the busy streets of downtown Louisville.
JOHN F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL BRIDGE
The JFK Memorial Bridge is of cantilever construction and was opened for use in 1963. This bridge received its name and was opened less than month after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Its roadway carries automotive traffic between Louisville and the southern Indiana communities of Jeffersonville and Clarksville along I-65.
SHERMAN MINTON BRIDGE
The Sherman Minton Bridge is of a unique double-decker twin arch design and was opened for use in 1962. Constructed at the same time and for the same purpose as the JFK Memorial Bridge, the Sherman Minton Bridge was erected to alleviate peak traffic from the overused George Rodgers Clark Memorial and K&I Bridges. It is currently the only automotive bridge in use that connects Louisville to the southern Indiana community of New Albany.
BIG FOUR BRIDGE
The Big Four Bridge is of cantilever construction and was opened for use as a railroad bridge in 1895. It closed as a railroad bridge in 1969 after falling into disuse and subsequently sat vacant and unused for close to 50 years. In 2013, ramps were built and the bridge was re-opened as a pedestrian bridge, connecting Louisville to downtown Jeffersonville for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIDGE
The Abraham Lincoln Bridge is of a single-deck cabled-stayed construction and opened for use in 2015. It was built to alleviate increased traffic concerns and accidents plaguing the I-65 crossing of the Ohio River. The Abraham Lincoln Bridge sits parallel to the JFK Memorial Bridge, splitting the workload of automotive traffic connecting downtown Louisville to the southern Indiana communities of Jeffersonville and Clarksville along I-65.
THE INKY CONNECTION
I chose create and submit my virtual reward as a sort of tribute to the infrastructure that connects the history and communities of Louisville and southern Indiana. Part of this connection is our local geocaching club called INKY (INdiana-KentuckY). This club consists of some of the greatest cachers I’ve ever seen, who have infused the local landscape on both sides of the river with the creativity and challenges of this hobby we love so much. Please take the time to check out the hard work of our local cachers and discover just how brilliant they really are. Welcome to INKY Country!!!
CACHE REQUIREMENTS
To claim this cache please message the answers to the following questions before logging the find on the cache page. Logs without answers will be deleted so please take time to do any research necessary. The posted coordinates will take you to the starting point of your bridge journey with the additional waypoints posted on this page leading you the rest of the way.
- What are the 2 color names of the parking lots to the right and left of the Big Four Bridge? **Posted Coordinates**
- What warning is written on the two yellow signs at the top of the ramp leading onto the Big Four Bridge? **Posted Coordinates**
- What is the name of the trail located on the plaque beneath the Abraham Lincoln Bridge? **Waypoint 2**
- What two names are found at point #24 on the plaque beneath the Abraham Lincoln Bridge? **Waypoint 2**
- How many lines cross are in the circled section of the parking area at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge ? **Waypoint 3**
- How many charcoal grill stands are located in the picnic area directly below the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge? **Waypoint 3**
- What type of bird is carved into the stone on top of the pylons of the George Rodgers Clark Memorial Bridge? **Waypoint 4**
- What is the Iroquois translation of "The Ohio" located on the plaque at the entrance of the George Rodgers Clark Memorial Bridge? **Waypoint 4**
- On what date was the River Heritage Overlook dedicated, giving a beautiful view of the Sherman Minton Bridge? **Waypoint 5**
- How many stone benches can be found on the overlook looking out over the Sherman Minton Bridge? **Waypoint 5**
Finally, please send a picture of your favorite scenic view of one of the five bridges listed above, and thank you for caching with us!
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.