Stumphouse Tunnel

In the early 1950's, construction began on the Blue Ridge Rail Line project in an attempt to connect Charleston, SC to Knoxville, TN. By the late 1850's, the line reached Anderson, SC, but Stumphouse Mountain proved to be an obstacle. Irish immigrants began working 12 hours a day, six days a week, trying to get through the solid granite rock. Crews were digging at both ends of the tunnel, going merely 200 ft. per month, and cut 1600 ft. into the mountain when funds ran out in 1859. The economic crisis in post Civil War South Carolina meant there was no money available to complete the project and it remains unfinished to this day.

We found this little roadside gem completely by accident, but it turned out to be the coolest part about the day. We had to run back to the car and get a flashlight to go into the tunnel because it was so dark in there and even then it was a little freaky! The tunnel is huge, large enough for a train to fit through, and I was fascinated by the story behind it. One of the most interesting facts about the tunnel is that it remains 56 degrees, with 85% humidity, inside the tunnel year-round.