There is a haunted tunnel in South Carolina that usually gives people the creeps when they visit, but most don't know the real reason why.
Visitors to Stumphouse Tunnel in Walhalla, South Carolina often mistake the fears they experience while visiting the failed railroad tunnel as simply a fear of being in closed places, or possibly a fear of dark places. Little do some know that Stumphouse Tunnel is actually haunted. Here's how and why:
Stumphouse Tunnel was a major tunnel needed to complete a rail line from the South Carolina port city of Charleston to "the West."
In 1853, work began on the approximately one mile of tunnelling that would be needed to complete the South Carolina portion of the new rail line.
Using hand drills, hammers and chisels, work crews -- mainly Irish miners -- relentlessly pounded away at the granite only clearing approximately 200 feet per day.
Nearly 500 miners and their families made up a town called "Tunnel Hill" on top of the mountain. The town included 17 saloons according to a newspaper report.
Although the miners worked long grueling hours of intensive and dangerous labor (black powder explosives were also used), one report claims only two miners died before the project was shut down at the start of the Civil War. The project came to a grinding halt just short of completion when the state yanked the funds needed to finish the colossal tunnel.
Today, visitors to Stumphouse Tunnel report feeling scared while in the tunnel. Some experience panic.
Still others report hearing the grunts of the miners as they continue to swing their primitive tools, chipping away at the blue granite in an attempt to finish the job.
You can visit Stumphouse Tunnel at Stumphouse Tunnel Rd, Walhalla, SC 29691.
The Town of Walhalla has turned the tunnel and surrounding grounds into a park. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and admission is free. Don't forget your flashlight -- and maybe some dry footwear in case your feet get wet.
Have you visited this haunted tunnel in the Upstate of South Carolina? Did you feel panicky or scared while exploring? We'd love to hear about your experience in our comments. If you'd like to post a photo (we'd love to see them!) then you'll be able to do that in our Facebook comments.
Love the thrill of chasing ghosts? Check out our previous article: Driving Down This Haunted Road In South Carolina Will Give You Nightmares.
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