Effingham, Illinois: America's 2nd Largest Cross

At 198 feet tall, "The Cross at the Crossroads" looms over "The Crossroads of America" at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 70.

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Visitor Tips and News About America's 2nd Largest Cross

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Cross At The Crossroads

In case a nearly 200-foot cross isn't surreal enough for you, this site is enhanced by ten rock-shaped (as in "Rock of Ages", natch) speakers next to the stone tablets for each Commandment, blasting out what sounds like the stuttering instrumental break from Pink Floyd's "One Of These Days." Press a button by each station and hear a bit of wisdom appropriate to the given Commandment.

[Aqua Larva, 10/28/2006]

Giant cross in Effingham.

Giant White Cross

A friend and I stopped to see this gigantic white cross on the side of the road. We planned most of our trip using tips from roadsideamerica.com. Nobody was around and it was in an industrial area of the town, which made it even stranger than anticipated.

[Nikki, 09/09/2006]

Giant Cross

The cross is beautiful, and is well worth the trip to see it. The Meditation Walk and Ten Commandments monuments have been added. In addition, there is a small trailer sitting on the site that offers a very small gift shop, and the chance to see (and purchase) a video of how they built the cross.

In response to the claims that Effingham is the "Crossroads of America," Terre Haute, IN claims that they are "The Crossroads of America."

[L G, 04/30/2004]

And Terre Haute even has an official Indiana state marker and a $50 coffee table book called "Terre Haute: The Crossroads of America" to prove it. About two dozen other towns have claimed to be the Crossroads of America.

Giant Cross, Effingham.

Giant White Cross

Just west of Effingham, Ill on Highway 70 there is a 198 ft. white cross so close to the highway that I may have to find another way to get from Alton, IL to Terre Haute, IN.

[Tonya Nix, 08/04/2001]

The cross is 198 feet high, with a 113 foot crossbar. The First Baptist Church of Effingham formed the Cross Foundation to raise $1.1 million to erect the cross. The inspiration came when congregation members saw the immense cross in Groom, Texas. The Cross foundation is working to add Ten Commandments and Life of Christ stations along a meditation walk at the base of the cross.

In civic promotions of the past, the town of Effingham had proclaimed itself the "Crossroads of America."

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America's 2nd Largest Cross

The Cross at the Crossroads

Address:: W. Knagge Rd, Effingham, IL
Directions:: I-57 exit 159. Drive east toward Effingham, then make a quick right onto Raney St. Drive south for one mile, then turn right onto Pike Ave.
Phone:: 217-347-2846
RA Rates:: Major Fun