Montgomery Bell Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Montgomery Bell Tunnel, also known as the 'Patterson Forge Tunnel, in Cheatham County, Tennessee, is a 290 feet (88.4 m) long tunnel through limestone
rock which was the first "full-scale" water diversion tunnel
built in the United States
. It is also apparently the first "full-scale" tunnel of any type in the United States, according to histories of tunneling. It was built in 1819 by Montgomery Bell
using the labor of slaves.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1994. It is now included in Harpeth River State Park
.
It was built at about the same time, but apparently slightly before, the 450 feet (137.2 m) Auburn Tunnel
of Pennsylvania's Schuylkill Navigation Canal, which began use in 1821.
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
rock which was the first "full-scale" water diversion tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
built in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is also apparently the first "full-scale" tunnel of any type in the United States, according to histories of tunneling. It was built in 1819 by Montgomery Bell
Montgomery Bell
Montgomery Bell was a manufacturing entrepreneur who was crucial to the economic development of early Middle Tennessee...
using the labor of slaves.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1994. It is now included in Harpeth River State Park
Harpeth River State Park
Harpeth River State Park is a state park in Cheatham County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park is a linear park that was created to connect several state historic, natural, and archaeological sites along the lower Harpeth River...
.
It was built at about the same time, but apparently slightly before, the 450 feet (137.2 m) Auburn Tunnel
Auburn Tunnel
Auburn Tunnel was a 19th century canal tunnel built for the Schuylkill Canal, near Auburn, Pennsylvania. Auburn Tunnel was the first transportation tunnel built in the United States....
of Pennsylvania's Schuylkill Navigation Canal, which began use in 1821.