Afton in Nelson County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel

National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 9, 2021

1. Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Marker

Inscription. The Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel, 4,273 feet in length, was the longest railroad tunnel in North America when constructed in 1849-1858. Irish and enslaved craftsmen and laborers excavated the tunnel using hand drills and black powder. Chief Engineer Claudius Crozet designed a singular elliptical cross-section for the tunnel to minimize rock removal. Its slope from west to east presented challenges for drainage and ventilation. Crozet developed unique solutions to these problems encountered during its construction. In April 1858 the first train traveled the Blue Ridge Tunnel, which remained in use for over 85 years. The demands of larger locomotives and World War II freight traffic necessitated its replacement in 1944.

Erected 1976 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1858.

Location. 38° 1.812′ N, 78° 51.167′ W.

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Marker is in Afton, Virginia, in Nelson County. It is on Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail 0.6 miles west of Afton Depot Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 723 Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, Afton VA 22920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Laborers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flight of Richard C. duPont (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rockfish Gap Meeting (approx. 0.2 miles away); Greenwood-Afton Rural Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nelson County / Augusta County (approx. ¼ mile away); Rockfish Gap (approx.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 9, 2021

2. Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel Marker

¼ mile away); The Blue Ridge Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to Shenandoah National Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Afton.

The east entrance of the Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 9, 2021

3. The east entrance of the Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. An image of the east entrance of the tunnel on a clear day. • Can you help?