Discover the Longest Tunnel in Georgia

Some tunnels in the U.S. are thick with Civil War history and those who visit them get to witness firsthand the sites that have been highlighted in the retelling of historical events. There is one such tunnel in Georgia that holds pieces of history that the state almost lost completely. Instead of allowing nature to entomb it, efforts were made to rehabilitate it and turn it into the Civil War attraction it is today. The longest tunnel in Georgia has a unique history that requires some explaining. Below, we break down what makes this tunnel so unique (and why it has more than one name).

The Longest Tunnel in Georgia

The longest tunnel in Georgia is the Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel — while you may initially think this is a single tunnel, the name refers to two tunnels that run parallel to one another. The first tunnel was the Western and Atlantic Railroad Tunnel (W & A) which was built in 1850. This tunnel was only 12.5 feet wide and 1,477 feet long. It was certainly a tight squeeze that would make anyone feel claustrophobic.

Unfortunately, the squeeze was so tight that trains would get stuck and the people on those trains wouldn’t make it out alive. The second of the two tunnels is the CXS Transportation Tunnel, which is still an active railroad today. It connects Atlanta and Chattanooga. Although the new tunnel and the old tunnel are not connected, together their length totals 3,004 feet.

The Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel was the site for two major historic events. During the Civil War, a military raid occurred on April 12, 1862. This event became known as the “Great Locomotive Chase.” James J. Andrews led volunteers from the Union Army to commandeer a train. The train was called “The General.” They set it on fire and took it to the W & A tunnel, trying to damage it as much as they could. Eventually, the Confederates captured and executed some of the men (others were able to get away). The second event occurred in May 1863. Union and Confederate forces battled at the site during the Atlanta Campaign.  

When Was the Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel Built?

Construction for the first of the two tunnels, W & A, originally began on July 15, 1848. On October 13, 1849, the chief engineer, William L. Mitchell led a procession through the tunnel that included clergymen, musicians, workers, and other attendees through the very first passage. It was a celebratory affair that lit up the night.

It was not until several months later that the first train passed through W & A in 1850. Atlanta, which was formerly referred to as “Terminus” became a main transportation center. The second tunnel was completed on December 17, 1928, allowing traffic to be rerouted from the previous tunnel still running parallel to it. The new construction meant the old tunnel was abandoned after 78 years of use.

What Was the Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel’s Primary Purpose?

The W & A tunnel was built so that there was a connection between the Port of Augusta and the Tennessee River Valley. It was the first railroad that crossed the Appalachian Mountains and that opened trade between the upper Midwest and the Atlantic Ocean. Although the W & A tunnel stopped being viable for use and was almost decimated by nature and years of neglect, the Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation intervened in 1992, and in 1999, rehabilitation of the W&A tunnel began.

On May 9, 2000, the tunnel reopened. But not for its original purpose. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and welcomes tourists for a walkthrough. The CXS Transportation Tunnel was built to connect Atlanta and Chattanooga. This offers safe passage after the W & A tunnel was deemed unsafe. The rail traffic became too much for the original tunnel to handle. With train cars getting stuck, a solution was in order.

Things To Do Around Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel

Aside from visiting the rehabilitated W & A tunnel, you could stop by Rocky Face Ridge, a 1,000-acre park that is also full of Civil War history. Here you can take your bike to enjoy an eight-mile trail. You can put your running shoes on to head out on the five-mile running course or enjoy a ¾ mile hiking trail. Take your lunch and enjoy one of the picnic pavilions. You can also take in the view from the top of the mountain. A bit further south in Dalton, you can explore Haig Mill Lake Park. There are over five miles of trails in a wooded environment. Here you can partake in hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and fishing!

Where is the Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel Located on a Map?

The Chetoogeta Mountain Tunnel is in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, just a little over four miles from Interstate Highway 75. Visitors can get a tour at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center and Museum.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © 4,000 × 3,000 pixels, file size: 7.62 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License / Original