Near Ansted in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Hawk’s Nest Tunnel

Photographed by J. J. Prats, December 1, 2019

1. Hawk's Nest Tunnel Marker

Inscription. Mouth of the great Hawk's Nest Tunnel, three miles long, which diverts water of New River from its five-mile long gorge. The tunnel, a mile of which is through solid rock, and a 50-foot dam give waterfall of 160 feet for electric power.

Erected 2008 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 7.356′ N, 81° 7.644′ W. Marker is near Ansted, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It is on Midland Trail (U.S. 60), on the left when traveling west. It is at the Hawk’s Nest Overlook west of the park itself. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17839 Midland Trail, Ansted WV 25812, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge

and in Greater Charleston Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

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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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hawk’s Nest (within shouting distance of this marker); Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Salt Sand (approx. half a mile away); "Contentment" (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Contentment (approx. 1.2 miles away); New Haven Veterans' Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Jackson's Mother (approx. 1.8 miles away); Hawks Nest Strike (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ansted.

More about this marker. Marker no longer marks the mouth of the tunnel. It was originally erected near the tunnel’s mouth, 5.9 miles east (3.4 miles as the crow flies) at 38° 9.085′ N, 81° 10.69′ W near Gauley Bridge on Midland Trail (U.S. 60) 0.4 miles west of Cane Branch (County Route 60/7), in the turnoff for the Hawk’s

Photographed by J. J. Prats, December 1, 2019

2. Hawk's Nest Tunnel Marker

This view is eastbound. The parking lot for the Hawk’s Next Overlook is behind the photographer. The sign next to the marker announces the state park itself, ¼ mile east.

Nest Hydro Station. The mouth of the tunnel was below nearby. It was moved here to Hawk’s Nest Overlook sometime after 2015.

Additional keywords. tunnels

Hawk's Nest Hydroeletric Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 11, 2010

3. Hawk's Nest Hydroeletric Dam

Hawk's Nest Tunnel Marker (original location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 11, 2010

4. Hawk's Nest Tunnel Marker (original location)

Marker at its original location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 11, 2010

5. Marker at its original location

It was originally located at (GPS 38.15142, -81.17817) marking the mouth of the tunnel at the river below. This view is facing west.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,295 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 15, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on August 14, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.