State Road 7 in the U.S. state of Indiana is located in southeast Indiana. It runs from northwest-to-southeast connecting the cities of Columbus and Madison.

Route description

SR7 begins at Main Street in Madison, of which it then travels in a northward direction along Cragmont Street. Along the way, SR7 briefly meanders through hilly terrain. After leaving the hilly terrain, SR7 briefly turns northwest on another road before turning west near a railroad crossing. As the road approaches the east side of Clifty Falls State Park, the road curves northwest again, becoming Lanier Drive. After that, the route intersects with SR56/SR62 (Clifty Drive). On its way toward Vernon, SR7 travels northwest and reaching the following towns and state route: Wirt, Midway, SR250 (western section), Dupont, Walnut Ridge, and Grayford.

Before the route enters Vernon, SR3 begins to run concurrently with SR7 through Vernon and North Vernon. After crossing the Muscatatuck River, the road enters the town of Vernon. In this town, the routes travel along Jackson and Poplar streets. Both routes leave the town limit as they approach the Muscatatuck County Park and the city of North Vernon. Both run along State Street through downtown North Vernon. Just before leaving the city limit, SR3 turns northward, while SR7 continues northwest. SR7 then intersects with US50.

For the remainder of the route, SR7 travels northwestward, serving Country Squire Lakes, Queensville, Scipio, and Elizabethtown. As the route approaches the city of Columbus, SR7 intersects with US31. Shortly thereafter, the route ends at SR46, where thru traffic continues toward downtown Columbus.

History

Prior to 1926 the SR 7 designation was routed along the US 24 corridor. At this time modern SR 7 route was part of SR 26. In 1926 the modern route of SR 7 was planned to become part of SR 11 designation. Later in 1926 the SR 11 designation became SR 7, routed from Madison to Columbus. Between 1931 and 1932 the entire route of SR 7 became a hard driving surface. US 31 was rerouted onto SR 7 northwest of the modern intersection between the two roads between 1939 and 1941. By 1942 US 31 was rerouted onto its modern route towards Columbus. The northern end of SR 7 was moved to its current location, at SR 46, in either 1999 or 2000.

Three bronze markers in Madison, North Vernon, and Columbus designate the road as the "Guthrie Trail". The markers were placed for former Indiana State Senator William Guthrie of Dupont in the 1920s, who was instrumental in the road becoming a state highway.

Major intersections

References

External links