Here is a very rare 1911 era original real photograph postcard showing a passenger train crossing the Wabash River Swing Bridge at Riverton, Indiana, near Sullivan, Indiana on the Indianapolis Southern – Illinois Central Effingham – Indianapolis Line. This is the first real photo postcard that I have ever seen of this view and consider it a complete rarity. This card clearly shows an IC 4-4-0 steam engine pulling a baggage car and two coaches with the windows open and loaded with passengers. The bridge was a center section swing bridge complete with navigation lighting for the riverboats to see when it was closed or open while plying the Wabash River when it was still navigable. On the river, you can see the smaller riverboat “Palace” parked on the Illinois side and in the center of the river is the Taylor’s Ferry bring goods across. The caption on the front of the card reads “WABASH RIV. I.C. BRIDGE & TAYLORS FERRY – RIVERTON, IND.” The card is postally unused and has no writing on the back of it. The card is in excellent condition, has no manufacturer’s information and was most likely was printed locally.
Historically, this line that ran through Dugger was called the Illinois & Indiana Railway, then in 1905, it became the Indianapolis Southern. In 1911, this line became part of the Illinois Central that ran from Newton Illinois to Indianapolis and is today now part of the Indiana Railroad - INRD. Some of the town the line served would have been (in Indiana) -- Indianapolis, Mt. Perry, Frances, Stones Crossing, Bargersville, Etter, Anita, Morgantown, Fruit Dale, Helmsburg, Trevlac, Unionville, Bloomington, Kirby, Elwren, Solsberry, tulip, Bloomfield, Switz City, Linton, Victoria, Dugger, Cass, Caledonia, Sullivan, New Lebanon, Merom, and Riverton. In Illinois -- Palestine, Gordons, Robinson, Stoy, Oblong, Willow Hill, Newton, Lis, Wheeler, Dieterich, and Effingham. The Wabash River that the bridge crosses was navigated by steamboats traveling up North to Terre Haute and Lafayette, and towns South, such as Vincennes, St. Francisville, Grayville, Mt. Carmel, and Mt. Vernon.
A great addition to your RPPC, Dugger, Green County, or Railroad Photograph collection. The actual item looks much better than what the digital images shows it as. Buyer to prepay item along with $2.50 in the United States. I cannot be responsible for items the Postal Service looses or damages; therefore, it would be advisable to insure your item. Payment must be received within Ten (10) days from the end of the auction. No Returns on any items; all sales are final. I cannot be responsible for emails that are sent but blocked by servers with spam filters. If you cannot contact or do not hear from me, please contact me through ebay. Please also see the many other vintage railroad items that I have listed that may be of interest to you. Thanks!
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