Upper Shockoe Valley in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Church Hill Tunnel

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2012

1. Church Hill Tunnel Marker

Inscription. About 200 feet east is the western portal of the Church Hill Tunnel. On 11 Dec. 1873, Chesapeake and Ohio locomotive number 2 passed through the tunnel, marking the completion of one of the longest tunnels in the United States. The tunnel was being repaired on 2 Oct. 1925, when Chesapeake and Ohio locomotive number 231 entered the tunnel heading west, pulling ten flat cars. The train was near the western portal when suddenly 190 feet of the tunnel collapsed, trapping and killing railroad workers, some of whom remain entombed in the tunnel along with the train.

Erected 2011 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-90.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1873.

Location. 37° 32.202′ N, 77° 25.434′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Upper Shockoe Valley. Marker is at the intersection of North 18th Street (U.S. 360) and East Marshall Street, on the right when traveling north on North 18th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 N 18th St, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Branch Public Baths (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trinity Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Craig House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lockwood Double House, 1845 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richmond's African Burial Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); Execution of Gabriel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Slave Rebellion leader Gabriel Prasser… (approx. ¼ mile away); 2106 E. Broad Street (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Church Hill Tunnel. Wikipedia (Submitted on April 25, 2012.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2012

2. Church Hill Tunnel Marker

Old rail bed and tunnel in the background.

Church Hill Tunnel - West Portal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 25, 2012

3. Church Hill Tunnel - West Portal

Church Hill Tunnel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Harris H. Stilson

4. Church Hill Tunnel

VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,106 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.