How to See the Ghost of the Wabash Cannonball Bridge

Have you ever seen a floating, purple head? Would you like to? Follow these instructions to see the ghost of the Wabash Cannonball Bridge, also known in the area as "purple head." The Wabash Cannonball Bridge is an old, old train bridge across the Wabash River in Southeastern Illinois, Southwestern Indiana. It connects St. Francisville, Illinois with Indiana just south of Vincennes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Locate St. Francisville, Illinois and drive there on Illinois Highway 1.
2. Follow the signs to the Wabash Cannonball Bridge. Once there, you will need to cross it. You need to be driving from the Indiana side to the Illinois side.
3. Drive onto the bridge at midnight and stop halfway across the bridge. Put your car in park.
4. Honk your horn three times OR flash you headlights off and on three times and wait.
5. Look in your rear view mirror. If or when you see the purple head or a purple haze rising from below the bridge, behind your car, put it in drive and take off toward Illinois, occasionally looking in the mirror.
6. Carefully take the curve to the left and the head will disappear.

Tips & Warnings

• A moonless night works best.
• I do not guarantee this will work.
• If you see a purple haze in the vicinity of the bridge as you approach it, you should change your plans immediately.
• The bridge is very narrow and very old and is not in the best of conditions. However, it is still used on a regular basis by a few brave, perhaps foolhardy souls.