Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First International Tunnel

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 5, 2022

1. First International Tunnel Marker

Inscription.

At this point the Grand Trunk Western Railroad tunnel, linking Port Huron with Canada, passes underneath Military Street. This international submarine railway tunnel -- first in the world -- was opened in 1891. The tunnel's total length is 11,725 feet. with 2,290 feet underwater. The tunnel operations were electrified in 1908 and completely dieselized in 1958. Tracks were lowered in 1949 to accommodate larger freight cars. During World War I, a plot to blast the tunnel was foiled.

Erected 1962 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 42° 57.629′ N, 82° 26.54′ W. Marker is in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is on 16th Street near Cedar Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2223 16th Street, Port Huron MI 48060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Davidson House (approx. one mile away); Bina M. West

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(approx. 1.1 miles away); Woman's Benefit Association (approx. 1.1 miles away); Woman's Life Insurance Society (approx. 1.1 miles away); Shiloh Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Port Huron Public Library (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. John’s United Church of Christ (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Huron.

Also see . . . St. Clair Tunnel. Excerpt:

The first underwater rail tunnel in North America was opened by the St. Clair Tunnel Company in 1891. The company was a subsidiary of the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR), which used the new route to connect with its subsidiary Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway, predecessor to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW). Before the tunnel's construction, Grand Trunk was forced to use time-consuming rail ferries to transfer cargo.

(Submitted on December 16, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 5, 2022

2. First International Tunnel Marker

First International Tunnel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 5, 2022

3. First International Tunnel

This is the United States side of the railroad tunnel looking east.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 5, 2022

4. First International Tunnel Marker

The marker is located at the Port Huron Amtrak station.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 5, 2022

5. First International Tunnel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 16, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.