Most People Have No Idea This Unique Tunnel In Oklahoma Exists

Jenson Railroad Tunnel, located in LeFlore County, is the first and only railroad tunnel in Oklahoma. It was built through Backbone Mountain during the mid 1880s in Indian Territory by the Fort Smith & Southern Railway. It is still in operation today, primarily used by the Kansas City Southern Railroad. The tunnel is 1,180 ft. long and has a single track running through it. The tunnel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1976.

Here is a look at the tunnel system running right through the mountain from Google Earth.

The rocks from which the tunnel was constructed are hand-cut and hand-stacked.

The inside of the tunnel has little niches about every 10 feet.

The deck width is 14 ft. and the clearance above the deck is 20 ft. The tunnel has many different lengths of lining and arching.

Looking at the north entrance to Jenson Tunnel.

The stone markers above the north and south portals show a date of 1886.

KCS-Ft Smith, 'Dodger' exiting Jenson Tunnel.

The tunnel is located on private property – owned by the KCS railroad. Please remember to use caution, as the tunnel is still in operation for trains today.

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Most People Have No Idea This Unique Tunnel In Oklahoma Exists

Ashley

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