The Entire Neighborhood Of River Ridge In Indiana Was Mysteriously Abandoned
Tori Jane
Author
In the 1940s, the US Army established an enormous ammunition manufacturing plant near Charlestown, Indiana. It would manufacture a few specific things: rocket propellant, propellant charge bags, and, most famously, smokeless gunpowder. Word spread of the coming plant, and, very quickly, people interested in jobs began flocking to the area. River Ridge, Indiana was born!
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Intriguingly, Charlestown State Park is also the site of an abandoned theme park. Read more about the abandoned theme park on the same grounds as what used to be River Ridge Indiana.
Have you ever visited this state park and the abandoned memories it holds? Tell us about it in the comments! And if you do go exploring, make sure to grab some sturdy boots at Backcountry.com.
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More to Explore
River Ridge Indiana
What is River Ridge Indiana?
Located near Jeffersonville in Southern Indiana, River Ridge Commerce Center, commonly known as River Ridge, is a substantial business and industrial park developed on the site of the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, a crucial ordnance producer during World War II and later conflicts.
Following its decommissioning, the area was transformed into a commerce center, now pivotal to the local economy, by hosting various businesses, industries, and distribution centers and generating employment in the region. The transformation of River Ridge, involving significant redevelopment work, environmental remediation, and infrastructure adaptation, exemplifies the successful repurposing of military sites for economic development.
Are there any abandoned towns in Indiana?
Indiana has several abandoned or near-abandoned towns, often called "ghost towns." These towns might have been abandoned for various reasons, such as economic decline, depletion of resources, or changes in transportation routes. Here are some abandoned towns in Indiana:
- Elizabethtown: Located in Bartholomew County, Elizabethtown experienced a decline after the railroad bypassed it. Some buildings and residences remain, but it's largely considered a ghost town.
- Tremont: This town was once prosperous due to its location along the Erie Canal. However, after the canal era ended, the town was gradually abandoned.
- Baltimore: Once a thriving town in the 19th century, Baltimore declined after the railroad bypassed it. Today, it's marked by a few remnants of its past, such as a cemetery.
- Buffalo: Buffalo was once a busy port along the Wabash and Erie Canal. However, with the decline of canal transportation, the town was abandoned.
- West Union: Once a bustling town in the 19th century, West Union was gradually abandoned after stagecoach travel and the railroad bypass declined.
- Doddridge Chapel: While not a town, Doddridge Chapel in Posey County is an abandoned chapel and cemetery often visited by those interested in local history and ghost towns.
These abandoned towns and sites often have interesting histories and can be explored by those interested in Indiana's past.