The American Civil War was fought throughout the southeast region of the United States of America. You hear about the Battles of Manassas and Gettysburg, but you very seldom hear about the battles that took place in the northern region of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are numerous stories of the American Civil War, and a great number of those stories took place in Georgia.
Welcome to the Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel and Museum in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. What is special about this tunnel. Built in 1850 by the Atlantic and Western Railroad, it was the first railroad tunnel in the South with a railroad line connecting Atlanta with Chattanooga, Tennessee. It may be a simple tunnel, but this tunnel became a very important part of the history of the United States of America, and it played a big role in the America Civil War.
Your visit begins when you arrive in the parking lot. Yes. It really does begin with the parking lot. What is special about the parking lot. Well, it is not the parking lot that is special, but it is what you see when you arrive. You see the railroad line that is still active and under the ownership of the Norfolk Southern Railway of which was built by the Atlantic and Western Railroad. (The line was originally single track but was later double tracked and no longer passes through the tunnel. You see an old train station on the other side of the tracks. (Sadly, it is not open to the public.) You have old baggage carts on display. Then you see Sherman Neckties. No. Men did not wear these around their necks. Major General William T. Sherman would order soldiers to destroy the tracks to either stop or derail the trains. The rails were melted and twisted. The term comes from the fact that some of the rails were sometimes twisted to look like actual neckties.
From here, you enter the visitor center which also houses a small museum. The artifacts on display include guns used during the war, the clothing, and small trains plus the history of the Atlantic and Western Railroad and the history of the tunnel. There is also a small gift shop.
Even though you see the story in the museum, you came to see the tunnel. The guided tour begins.
You first go to the General Store. What is special about the General Store. This store is a recreated store to tell the stories of how the stores operated. Some stores also served as the post office.
Just a short walk is the Clisby Austin House. Who is Clisby Austin? He was a reverend who was also a business owner who owned the original general store, and he was also a farmer. To you, it looks like a house. During the war, it was a hospital for Confederate soldiers, and it was also the headquarters for Major General Sherman, and it was here where he planned his attack on Atlanta. The house is displayed as a hospital. Originally called Meadowlawn and part of a large farm, the house changed ownership numerous times after the war and was finally donated to be open for tours. Two movies were filmed here: ‘From a Whisper to a Scream’ and ‘My Brother’s War’.
From here, you go to the main attraction, the tunnel. You arrive at the entrance of the tunnel that was blasted through Chetoogeta Mountain. The railroad line passed next to the tunnel, but you can see the inside without having to worry about a train. The tour guide points out the holes where dynamite was planted. It may look like your average railroad tunnel, but it is not. The Great Locomotive Chase, a chase where a locomotive called ‘The General’ was chased by ‘The Texas’ through this tunnel in April of 1862. Scenes from ‘Godzilla: King of Monsters’ was filmed here. In 1926, a larger tunnel was constructed parallel to the Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel and remains in use today by Northern Southern Railway.
The Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel is an engineering marvel. It is a must see place for railroad enthusiasts, history lovers, and engineering people or anybody who enjoys visiting historical places.
The Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel and Museum is located at 215 Clisby Austin Drive in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. It is just a short drive from U.S. Route 41 and Interstate 75. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. (Closed on Sunday.) Admission is required. The museum is self-guided, but the Clisby Austin House, General Store, and tunnel require a tour guide. Although a golf cart takes you to each site and drives you through the tunnel, the Clisby Austin House requires walking and climbing stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. The tunnel is, of course, a tunnel which is very narrow and closed in. Those who are not good in underground enclosed places may have problems as you pass through. You can read more into the Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel and Museum including the history and dimensions of the tunnel at https://www.civilwarrailroadtunnel.com/.
Visit the Atlantic and Western Railroad Tunnel. No. You will not see a locomotive chase, but you will see a place where American history took place.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 