Federal Hill

Federal Hill. The Tunnels Under Federal Hill. Many storied recollections exist for the legendary tunnels beneath Federal Hill, some documented and some anecdotal, dating back to the early nineteenth century and providing a glimpse beneath the surface of the hill that Captain John Smith referred to [as] a great red bank of clay back in 1608., Federal Hill looked quite different back in the 1800s. The hill itself looked like a cliff as compared to the multi-level, sloped appearance of today.1 The shoreline below Federal Hill likely approximated present day Key Highway, and early tunnels reportedly existed on the north side of the Hill facing what is now downtown where munitions and other supplies were stored. Theis storage provided each access to resupply clipper ships coming into port during the War of 18 12.2, Early reports indicate tunnels were also initiated from the south side of Federal Hill, when glass manufacturers dug tunnels for their sand mining efforts near Henry Street. These mining efforts continued throughout the 1800s as multiple local glass manufacturers made use of the fine sand available on and below Federal Hill. Extensive tunneling and mining operations led to concerns as early as 1840 that the Hill would be dug down before a park or other public accommodation could be established.3, Evidence of additional tunnels soon became apparent on all sides of Federal Hill, and some extended beyond into the surrounding neighborhood. Prior to the Civil War, it was reported that an industry other than class manufacturing, local brewers, made use of tunnels in and around Federal Hill, primarily for cool storage below ground for beer. At the same time, cave-ins became more frequent after heavy rains and at times threatened the Union fort at the top of the Hill during the Civil War.4 In the early 1900s, more tunnels were found on the western side of Federal Hill along Battery Avenue, and several homes along Battery Avenue initially collapsed during construction due to tunneling below.5, The most developed of the tunnel networks was discovered in 1992 as part of an enhancement effort to reinforce the Hill after cave-ins due to heavy rains.6 The entrance to these tunnels was found in the upper chamber of Federal Hill's north side, about 20 feet below the surface, with evidence of mid 1800s artifacts though no Civil War material. The arched tunnels were about 12 ft. high at peak with several large chambers, and similar to the other tunnels, was likely part of a sand mining operation.7 The entrance was ultimately sealed several weeks later though the main tunnel was left undisturbed within the Hill itself, as it remains to this day., (captions) , 1927 map showing approximate location of tunnels next to Federal Hill Park. Image courtesy of the Baltimore Sun., Construction crews repair a tunnel collapse under nearby Clement Street. Image courtesy of the Baltimore Sun., Inspections occur following a tunnel collapse in Federal Hill Park. Images courtesy of the Baltimore Sun., In 1992, construction crews worked on a project to stabilize the tunnels. Image courtesy of the Baltimore Sun., Special thanks to Dave Schenning of Baltimore Heritage., References: , 1. View of Baltimore (Basin and Federal Hill from Brickyard) - Francis Guy - 1803 - Painting on display at Baltimore Museum of History and Culture , 2. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form - April 16, 1969 , 3. "Secret" Tunnels are hidden under Baltimore's Federal Hill. Where did they come from and what lies inside? Colin Campbell - The Baltimore Sun - June 30, 2019 , 4. Federal Hill - A Baltimore National Historic District (page 26) - Norman G. Ruckert - 1980 , 5. Slide Threatens Park - The Baltimore Sun - June 17, 1916 , 6. Federal Hill: Cobblestones, a view, and now tunnels - Jacques Kelly - The Baltimore Sun - July 22, 1992 , 7 Ibid