I wonder if it's dark in the tunnel!
The Paw Paw Tunnel is located in Maryland, across the Potomac River from the town of Paw Paw, West Virginia. It was hand carved and is the largest man made structure on the C&O Canal. It’s 24 feet high, 3,118 feet long, and is lined with approximately 6 million bricks. Work was begun on the tunnel in 1836 and took 14 years to complete. At that time it was promoted as one of the wonders of the world.
Both the town of Paw Paw and the tunnel were named that because of a unique fruit that grows nearby. A paw paw tastes like blend between a banana and a cantaloupe.
It's a good thing that I'm not afraid of heights!
Tags: Polly 2
July 19th, 2010 at 12:15 am
That’s my favorite place on the C&O Canal! Did you take a flashlight? It’s really dark in there!
July 20th, 2010 at 8:12 am
I’ve thought about taking the Tunnel Hill Trail, but I’ve never done it. I’ve read where a lot of the work crew was on top of the hill. They drilled vertical shafts, and explosives were dropped into the holes to loosen the rock below. This allowed for easier rock removal in the tunnel area. It is a fascinating (and creepy!) place. I agree with anonymous–bring a flashlight.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:05 am
No! It’s so much more fun if you don’t bring a flashlight! Light spills in from both ends of the tunnel, and it really feels like an adventure when you walk through!. In the very middle it is darker,of course, but if you hold onto the handrail it’s not a problem!
August 6th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Wow! I never knew the tunnel was that long. There are a couple of tunnels that are even longer near Breezewood, Pa. They are on the Pike2Bike Trail. The P2B is an abandoned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Sideling Hill Tunnel is over 6000′ long! I also read your story about the Indigo Tunnel. Good stuff!