History
The 490-foot Point Leavell Tunnel was bored as part of the construction of the 33-mile Rowland Branch of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad between July 1867 and the line’s opening on November 8, 1868. 1 2
Traffic on a significant portion of the Rowland Branch ceased in 1932. 3 4 On December 1, 1933, authorities approved a petition to formally end operations on the 22.89-mile section between Lancaster and Fort Estill, which included the Point Leavell Tunnel, which was granted on January 15, 1934. 2
After the railroad tracks were removed to the east of Lancaster, certain sections between Point Leavell and Paint Lick were repurposed for automobile use. Motorists could drive through the Point Leavell Tunnel until circa 2006 when the construction of State Route 52 forced its closure. 4
Structure
Dimensions & Classification
| Structural Form | Tunnel — Bored |
|---|---|
| Tunnel Lining | Unlined |
| Tunnel Length | 490' |
| Bores | 2 |
| Ventilation | Natural |
Photographs
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Sources & Citations
References for this location, in MLA format.
- Herr, Kincaid A. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad, 1850-1963. University Press of Kentucky, 2000, pp. 42–43.
- Sulzer, Elmer Griffith. “The Route of Old Henry.” Ghost Railroads of Kentucky, Indiana University Press, 1998, pp. 71–72.
- Stevens, Vicki. “Old railroad tunnel is picturesque reminder of past.” Advocate-Messenger, 7 May 1997, p. A2.
- Crawford, Byron. “Tunnel reaches the end of the line.” Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2001, p. B3.
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