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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Tunnel Hill in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic) |
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Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
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By David Tibbs, circa 2008 | |
| | | 1. Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel Marker | | |
Inscription. The 1447 foot long Chetoogeta Mountain railroad tunnel is one-half mile east of this marker. The tunnel was completed in 1850 and this opened the W&A RR from Atlanta to Chattanooga. This was the first railroad tunnel completed south of the Mason-Dixon line and linked railroads from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. The railroad was operating during the late 1840's and goods and passengers were portaged over Chetoogeta Mountain while the tunnel was under construction. A community grew up near the construction activity and Clisby Austin built a three story hotel in 1848. Tunnel Hill was incorporated on March 4, 1848. The W&A was approved by the Georgia Legislature in 1836 and surveyed by Stephen Harriman Long. Construction of the 137 mile line took 13 years and cost more than four million dollars. William L. Mitchell was Chief Engineer and William Gray was Chief Mason. Gray was given the honor of being the first to pass through the tunnel when the two headings were driven through on October 31, 1849. The tunnel was in use until larger locomotives and loads nessitated a larger tunnel in 1928.
The tunnel played a role in one of the most colorful exploits of the Civil War, The Great Locomotive Chase, James J. Andrews and his band of Union "engine thieves" raced the stolen General through the tunnel closely pursued by the Texas, | | | | 
By David Tibbs, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel Entrance | | |
under Wm. Fuller, and Confederate forces.
Erected 1992 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 155-36.)
Location. 34° 50.409′ N, 85° 2.591′ W. Marker is in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, in Whitfield County. Marker is on Oak Street, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tunnel Hill GA 30755, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Tunnel Hill (here, next to this marker); Clisby Austin House (here, next to this marker); The Excavation (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crow Valley (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mill Creek Gap (approx. 2.7 miles away); Confederate Defense of Mill Creek Gap (approx. 2.7 miles away); Stevenson's Line (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Flooded Gap (approx. 2.9 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Tunnel Hill.
Also see . . .
1. The Tunnel Hill Heritage Center. Tours are available through the tunnel. Information can be found on the Heritage Centers website. (Submitted on September 15, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
2. Wikipedia entry for the Great Locomotive Chase. (Submitted on October 11, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
3. Photograph of tunnel through Chetoogeta Mountain, Tunnel Hill, Whitfield County, Georgia, ca. 1905. The tunnel was cut through Chetoogeta Mountain as part of the construction of the Western & Atlantic Railroad which ran from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tenn. The first train of cars passed through it in 1850. During the Civil War the two locomotives involved in Andrew's Raid passed through the tunnel. The tunnel is no longer in use.
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By David Tibbs, September 7, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel Path | | |
From the Vanishing Georgia website, hosted by the Georgia Division of Archives and History, Office of Secretary of State. (Submitted on February 20, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
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By David Tibbs, September 7, 2008 | |
| | | 4. Inside The Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel | | This is just inside the entrance to the tunnel. | | |
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By David Tibbs, 2008 | |
| | | 5. A Safe Place | | This small brick alcove is just a few feet from the tracks. Workers had to be very alert to their surroundings in the tunnel because, when they heard a train coming, they had very little time to locate and take cover inside one of these small areas. They could fit two adults with ease, three was a squeeze. | | |
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By David Seibert, November 14, 2008 | |
| | | 6. Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel Entrance | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on September 15, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 877 times since then. Last updated on October 11, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Submitted on September 15, 2008, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 6. Submitted on November 14, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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