Effingham, Illinois: America's 2nd Largest Cross

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.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [03/01/2009]

America's Largest Cross

Amazing. So beautiful. You can see it from the highway, but it's incredible up close. The info center closed due to Covid-19, and a few speakers at the Ten Commandments did not work. But it didn't ruin the experience. [Meghan, 08/23/2020]

World's Largest Cross

This is wonderfully big. You can drive by on either Hwy 70 between Terra Haute and St. Louis OR Hwy 57 running North and South. This is why it is called "at the crossroads." I recommend getting off the freeway to visit. It is a little tricky to get to, but there are small signs to follow once you are off the freeway. There is a visitor center with information on the cross and a small video you can watch. The cross is surrounded by 10 "stations," each with a push button that recites a Commandment and information. There is quite a lot to listen to.

[Cindie Bowman, 02/21/2009]

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 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]