Starting to Explore Stumphouse Tunnel
We visited Stumphouse Tunnel on one of the South Carolina’s hottest, muggiest summer days. As we reached the top of the walkway, the cool air flowing out of the tunnel was so welcome and a huge relief. Condensation runs down the walls and drips from the ceiling creating puddles and fog the length of the tunnel. There is no lighting inside - everyone used the flashlights in their phones, creating an almost spooky atmosphere. The unfinished railroad tunnel cut into the southeast face of Stumphouse Mountain was started in late 1853 for the Blue Ridge Rail Road to have a line that ran from Anderson, SC to Knoxville, TN. About 1,500 Irish miners cut through blue granite with hand drills, hammers, chisels, and black powder. Work on the tunnel ceased in 1859 when the South Carolina legislature refused to fund more construction. The longest section is 1,600 feet long, 25 feet high, and 17 feet wide. Now a tourist attraction, it is maintained by the City of Walhalla, SC.
Starting to Explore Stumphouse Tunnel
We visited Stumphouse Tunnel on one of the South Carolina’s hottest, muggiest summer days. As we reached the top of the walkway, the cool air flowing out of the tunnel was so welcome and a huge relief. Condensation runs down the walls and drips from the ceiling creating puddles and fog the length of the tunnel. There is no lighting inside - everyone used the flashlights in their phones, creating an almost spooky atmosphere. The unfinished railroad tunnel cut into the southeast face of Stumphouse Mountain was started in late 1853 for the Blue Ridge Rail Road to have a line that ran from Anderson, SC to Knoxville, TN. About 1,500 Irish miners cut through blue granite with hand drills, hammers, chisels, and black powder. Work on the tunnel ceased in 1859 when the South Carolina legislature refused to fund more construction. The longest section is 1,600 feet long, 25 feet high, and 17 feet wide. Now a tourist attraction, it is maintained by the City of Walhalla, SC.