Our Projects
Historic Cannelton Gateway Sign Project
In 2013, the city of Cannelton commissioned Triad Associates, Inc., for a Historic Cannelton Downtown Revitalization Plan. One element of the plan calls for creating a gateway sign that gives travelers a sense of arrival, and therefore, encourages them to stop and tour Cannelton’s Historic District.
In 2015, Renew Cannelton, Inc. commissioned Greg Harris, a local stone carver, to design and build a three-dimensional gateway sign to draw traffic from State Road 237, which bypasses Cannelton onto State Road 66, travelling through Cannelton.
The Historic Cannelton Gateway Sign will sit on the north side of the intersection of State Roads 237 and 66 at the Bob Cummings Lincoln Trail Bridge, connecting Indiana and Kentucky. The sign will be approximately 16’6” in length with towers rising to a height of approximately 18’. It will be constructed out of sandstone and will have two towers that replicate the twin towers of the Indiana Cotton Mill (also known as the Cannelton Cotton Mill). The Indiana Cotton Mill was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991 and stands in Historic Downtown Cannelton.
Renew Cannelton, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission “to facilitate the revitalization of the city of Cannelton, Indiana, and surrounding area by enhancing the attractiveness of the community and by working to preserve historic sites, buildings, objects and antiquities of significance.” When Renew Cannelton, Inc. decided to construct a gateway sign, it was also decided that the sign would be designed to draw travelers’ attention to the historic significance and architectural beauty of our historic downtown.
Since the inception of the idea for a gateway sign, Renew Cannelton, Inc. has worked behind the scenes to make it happen, by helping to select the location for the sign, commissioning the artisan to design the sign, hiring the engineering firm for the right-of-way permitting process, writing a grant proposal to help with the cost of the sign and raising funds to meet the grant match requirements. In addition, Renew Cannelton, Inc. has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the grant (if awarded) and has pledged to continue fundraising until the project is completed. Our organization has garnered much support from citizens, local businesses and other organizations.
The Historic Cannelton Gateway Sign will be an architectural symbol of historical significance intended to both beautify the entryway to Cannelton and to entice travelers into the city’s downtown, enhancing Cannelton tourism as well as revenues to business owners whose livelihoods are dependent upon the attractiveness of our quaint little town.
Cannelton Heritage Festival
Once a year the city of Cannelton celebrates its rich history by hosting the Cannelton Heritage Festival on the second Saturday of October. The festival is set on Washington (Main) Street in the heart of Cannelton’s Historic District.
The main focus of the festival is its arts and crafts vendors. Artisans and craftsmen from all over display, demonstrate and sell their hand-crafted items. Again this year, several regional blacksmiths will be forging metal artwork demonstrating their craftsmenship and talents throughout the day.
In addition to the arts and crafts, there is music throughout the day and a variety of food vendors providing good food.
Agape Community Church will sponsor a kid’s carnival, pedal tractor pull and pumpkin painting.
This will be the first year that our organization will be sponsoring the festival so planning is ongoing.
The Cannelton Heritage Festival is on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Central) on Washington Street. The festival is just off Highway 66, part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway.
For more information, you can call Barbara Beard at 812-547-7177 or 812-547-7816 or email her at bbbeard@renewcannelton.org.