Most People Have No Idea This Unique Tunnel In Tennessee Exists
…mainly because it’s hardly a tunnel, at all. Shady Valley, Tennessee has the shortest highway tunnel in the WORLD. Yeah. You heard that right. In the entire world, and you can visit it. Think about it – you share a home with an anomaly. So weird. So cool.
Backbone Rock, where this lovely little tunnel resides, may be 75 feet high but only clocks in at a couple feet wide.
Why build a tunnel at all, you ask? In 1901, the Tennessee Lumber Company wanted to capitalize on shortened trade routes, so they blasted a hole in the wall of rock.
Creating, of course, what we now know as Backbone Rock Tunnel. If you look closely, there is even a quirky notch at the top of the arch there, supposedly created so that smokestacks could clear the pass.
Located just shy of the Tennessee/Virginia border, taking a look at this world wonder is truly detour-worthy.
There are some folks that have made their way to the top, but we REALLY don't recommend it. The haphazard, slippery stairs were supposedly carved by hand, making them less than safe. Just look up and love it, hey?
Have you driven through it? Would you drive through THIS haunted tunnel in Tennessee?
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