Black Hand Tunnel - Toboso, Ohio
N 40° 03.246 W 082° 13.619
17T E 395346 N 4434482
Former interurban tunnel within the Black Hand Gorge.
Waymark Code: WMPW02
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 10/27/2015
Views: 15
This tunnel served an interurban line along the north side of the Licking River. The south side of the river was already occupied by the B&O Railroad. A sheer wall of Red Rock lay in the path of the planned route. The builders had no choice, but to dynamite a tunnel through this rock. It took 36 men, working around the clock, nearly 3½ months to complete the tunnel. Work began on June 15, 1903 and was completed on September 23. The following January the Ohio Electric interurban line was opened for business between Newark and Zanesville.
The Black Hand tunnel is 327 feet long and 19½ feet high. It measures 16½ wide at the base. Interurban tunnels are uncommon and it is believed to be the only one in Ohio.
As the popularity of the automobile began to rise in the 1920s, interurban ridership greatly declined. The last interurban car rolled through the tunnel on February 15, 1929 – nearly a quarter of a century after it opened. Today the tunnel serves as a hiking trail through Black Hand Gorge State Nature Preserve.
Construction: Natural - No lining
Condition: Good
Rail Status: No
Current status: Recreation Path
Original Use: Passenger Train
Tunnel Length: 327.00
Suggested Parking Area: N 40° 03.434 W 082° 13.255
Terrain: 
Date Built: 1903
Date Abandoned: 2/15/1929
The "Other End": Not Listed
Website: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Tell of your visit. Did you find anything of interest? Unique photos are encouraged.