Near Walhalla in Oconee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

1. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Marker

Inscription. You are facing the west entrance to the Middle Tunnel, which now lies within the Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve (established in August 2008). This 385-foot tunnel was drilled by the Blue Ridge Railroad in 1856-1858 as part of their plan to connect the city of Charleston, S.C., with a first class, standard gauge railroad to the Tennessee River at Knoxville, Tenn., then on to the Ohio River at Cincinnati. Funding ran out before the tunnel was fully completed, although in 1858 enough work was done to allow passage by a horse rider. Later, the east entrance was closed. Now a large part of the tunnel is under water.

In fall 2008 a bat-friendy gate was erected inside the tunnel entrance to restrict human access to the tunnel. The tunnel is a winter roost for bats,, and controlling access to winter roosts improves survivorship and use by these beneficial mammals.

Erected by The Nature Conservancy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 34° 48.483′ N, 83° 6.85′ W. Marker is near Walhalla,

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South Carolina, in Oconee County. It can be reached from Stumphouse Tunnel Road 0.4 miles east of South Carolina Route 28, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located along the Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trailwithin the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walhalla SC 29691, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s and pstate,

in the Foothills, in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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: SW Middle Tunnel (here, next to this marker); NE Middle Tunnel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

2. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Marker

line); Issaqueena Falls (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Issaqueena Falls (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel (approx. half a mile away); Stumphouse Tunnel (approx. 0.6 miles away); Andrew Pickens Ranger District / Oconee County (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walhalla.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

3. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Entrance

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

4. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Entrance

Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Entrance as Viewed from Inside the Tunnel. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

5. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel Entrance as Viewed from Inside the Tunnel.

Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, January 3, 2026

6. Stumphouse Mountain Middle Tunnel

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 10, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.