The History and Mystery Behind Stumphouse Tunnel

Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel in Oconee County is an incomplete tunnel for the Blue Ridge Railroad in Upstate South Carolina. The tunnel was first proposed in 1835 by Charleston, South Carolina residents as a better route between Charleston and the Ohio River valley area, which until then was only accessible by bypassing the mountains entirely.

Stumphouse Tunnel in Walhalla, S.C.Photo byJohn G. Clark Jr.

In 1852, thirteen miles of the tunnel were proposed, crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains through South Carolina and North Carolina into Tennessee. For the most part, construction was successful across South Carolina until hitting the rough mountain terrain around Walhalla. Construction of the Stumphouse Tunnel began in 1856 when the George Collyer Company of London brought many Irish workers into the area to assist with the project.

Approximately 1,500 miners called the Tunnel Hill village home atop the mountain. The mining town had a schoolhouse, a Catholic church, a post office, and several saloons with a bad reputation for being violent. The miners themselves worked tirelessly from sunrise to sunset. The tools at their disposal were shovels, pickaxes, and dynamite. As one can imagine, working that long with such equipment would have drawbacks. Many were seriously injured, and others laid down their lives for the job.

By 1859, over one million dollars had been spent on expanding the railroad, but the South Carolina legislature refused to fund the project further, and operations ceased. Legend has it that because the tunnels do not lead anywhere, the spirits of the miners feel obligated to continue working. Witnesses claim to hear mining inside Stumphouse Tunnel at night, even to this day.

Plans to revitalize the project in 1875, 1900, and 1940 all failed. Clemson University finally purchased the tunnel in 1951, and blue cheese was cured inside until the 1970s.

Today, Stumphouse Tunnel comprises forty acres of land, camping areas, and picnic shelters. It is a beautiful spot to visit during late fall when the foliage changes colors. As for the spirits that call the tunnel home, they will continue cutting away at the rock each night as the sun sets.

Disclaimer: The Lantern does not profit from tourism or any businesses mentioned in our articles.

Written By: John G. Clark Jr.

Images By: John G. Clark Jr.

Sources: https://www.scetv.org/stories/2019/ghosts-and-legends-stumphouse-tunnel

https://blueridgecountry.com/departments/hikes/stumphouse-tunnel-a-tunnel-a-falls-and-history/