Artist Immortalizes Evansville’s ‘Poon Saloon’ in Glass
There's no doubt that Indiana has its share of local urban legends, but few have achieved quite the level of notoriety as the “Poon Saloon.”
Back in the summer of 2022, during the annual dredging of the Ohio River, a temporary sandbar appeared near Evansville. As locals know, that sandbar quickly turns into a floating social hub for the boating crowd every summer. But that year, someone took things to a whole new level when they managed to haul a small camper out onto the sandbar.
How the Poon Saloon Became an Evansville Legend
Before long, someone christened the camper with a hand-painted sign reading “Poon Saloon,” and just like that, an Evansville legend was born. Photos spread across social media, news outlets picked up the story, and “Poon Saloon” became a household name along the riverfront. For a short time, it was even labeled as a landmark on Google Maps. Sadly, when the water rose, the camper was swept away, but the legend lived on.
A Stained Glass Tribute to Riverfront Folklore
Fast-forward to 2025, and the internet has gifted us yet another tribute to this piece of Evansville folklore. A Reddit user recently shared photos of a beautifully crafted stained glass panel honoring the Poon Saloon in all its absurd glory. The piece captures the spirit of the story perfectly—part joke, part local history, and entirely Evansville.
Local Artists Keep the Legend Alive
The stained glass artist isn't the first to immortalize the Poon Saloon in art. Evansville-based Sprout Design even created special shirts, hats, and stickers emblazoned with their graphic design depicting the Poon Saloon. Someone even went so far as to register PoonSaloon.org, proving once again that when it comes to river culture, Evansville knows how to turn a fleeting moment into something unforgettable.
Evansville’s Poon Saloon Shines Bright Once Again
According to an August 2024 article in Evansville's Courier and Press, the identity of the person or persons responsible for dropping the camper into the middle of the Ohio River has not been publicly released. Needless to say, regardless of who is responsible, the Poon Saloon will live on in the hearts of Evansville residents for years to come.
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