We will rendezvous at the Fountain in Jefferson Park and follow the approximate route of the Church Hill Tunne(http://
https://www.nbc12.com/2020/09/28/this-week-history-train-tunnel-collapses-church-hill-killing-least-men/?fbclid=IwAR1iF0i-674tK_4D0KAx_JrSUXtQhBGrDMXmVo-h6TQupbCz2SujX6cCdx4)l which collapsed ninety-nine
years ago. We will begin at the North Portal of the tunnel where the collapse of 1925 occurred then trace the approximate route through the streets of Church Hill to the Eastern Portal and return to the starting point. Our route will take us through historic Church Hill where we will look for signs of cave ins as evidenced by repairs to brick structures and depressions in streets and sidewalks.
Church Hill Tunnel(
) is an old Chesapeake and Ohio Railway tunnel, built in the early 1870s, which extends approximately 4,000 feet under the Church Hill section of Richmond, Virginia. On October 2, 1925, the tunnel collapsed on a work train, killing four and trapping a steam locomotive and some flat cars. Rescue efforts only resulted in further collapse, and the tunnel was eventually sealed for safety reasons.Portions of the tunnel have continued to wreak havoc above in the years since, and several houses and a wall of a church were destroyed near 25th and Broad Streets. More recently, tennis courts and the wall of a house seem to have been victims farther east. Long the subject of community speculation and trespassing incidents at its eastern end, the tunnel is owned by CSX Transportation.
This is a relatively short hike but the approach to the Eastern Portal is steep and narrow and some ability to negotiate tricky, almost non-existent trails, crawl over fallen trees, and maintain your balance is required. It is recommended that you bring a walking stick to help you maintain your balance on the approach to the Eastern Portal of the tunnel. It is steep and a small stream must be crossed to reach the entrance of the tunnel.
Once we leave the tunnel, just for fun, our route will take us to Libby Hill Park and Chimborazo Park. Chimborazo Blvd and M Street will bring us back to Jefferson Park.
Hikes begin at the posted time, not five or ten minutes later. If you are unfamiliar with the meet up location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find us. If you need help with directions when using your personal computer, click on the inset map in the event description (right under "How To Find Us") to display a larger interactive map. When you select "Directions" (upper left) the best route from your location to the Meet Up rendezvous spot will be calculated for you. Plenty of curbside parking is available around Jefferson Park, but give yourself time to locate it before the hike! Be sure to take a minute and place everything that might invite theft in your trunk before you leave your car parked while you are hiking.
This is anticipated to be approximately a 2.5 to 3.0 mile hike.
Weather forecast on hike day(https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/va/richmond/KVARICHM375/date/2025-01-12)
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Jefferson Park, N 21st Street & Marshall, Richmond, us
