The Bridge Approach

Native American pylons on the Lincoln Memorial Bridge

Arthur Rothsten 1938

The approach to the memorial bridge has been a fixture in Vincennes since it was built in the 1930's. The interior structure is brick and the facing stones are North Carolina Mt. Airy Granite held on by iron pins. Sculptor Raoul Josset carved the two Native American chiefs that guard the entrance to the Lincoln Memorial bridge on the Indiana side in Vincennes.

 

Rust stains on the bridge approach

NPS photo

However, without proper weather sealant water quickly infiltrated between the stones and began rusting the iron pins. Iron staining has been visible on the bridge for decades and in 2022 a large facing stone dislodged from about 12 feet off the ground. This stone weighed over 700 lbs and the park quickly determined that the possibility of another stone dislodging and perhaps landing on a visitor of vehicle was unacceptable.

 

 

The bridge aproach was dismanteld by a contracted construction company and the facing stones were mapped, numbered, and stored nearby. The Park Service is now working on contracting for the rebuild of the internal structure which will allow for the facing stones to be placed again as they have been for decades, hopefully with less iron staining and with no risk of stones dislodging.