Legends Trails

An Unfinished Railroad Tunnel and an Indian Legend

by Tom Straka and Knight Cox  

Entrance of Stumphouse Tunnel. Photo Credit: OconeeCountry.com

In the winter issue we outlined a circular tour route through Georgia and South Carolina that included many of the filming locations for the movie Deliverance. A short side trip from that circle could add an awesome tunnel and a breathtaking waterfall. It is certainly off the beaten path. Both just a very short walking distance from a parking lot. From that circular route, in Westminster, South Carolina take state route 183 to Walhalla for 8 miles and then state route 28 towards Highlands, North Carolina for 6 miles. You'll end up at Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel Park.

 

Looking back towards entrance of Stumphouse Tunnel. Photo Credit: OconeeCountry.com

This story starts in Charleston, South Carolina. As early as 1827 business interests were planning a railroad to connect Charleston to Midwestern markets. The Blue Ridge Railroad would cross the Appalachian Mountains to access Knoxville and Cincinnati. By the mid-nineteenth century the railroad had reached the Upstate of South Carolina and it was time for the new railroad. The main obstacle was the Appalachian Mountains and it had caused the Louisville , Cincinnati and Charleston Railroad Company to fail in the same goal twenty years earlier. John C. Calhoun was a major proponent of the idea and had even helped locate the route in 1836.

Deep inside Stumphouse Tunnel. Photo Credit: OconeeCountry.com.

In December, 1852 South Carolina authorized the incorporation of the Blue Ridge Railroad Company to complete the connection to Knoxville. North Carolina , Georgia , and Tennessee had already chartered lines on the route. The route was to be 195 miles, from Anderson to Walhalla, through Stumphouse Mountain and across the Chattooga River into Northeast Georgia, connecting with the Little Tennessee River and following the river through North Carolina and Tennessee into Knoxville. The project involved 13 tunnels. Stumphouse Mountain tunnel is one of them. The Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail runs from the tunnel back to Walhalla on the old rail bed, by-passing two smaller tunnels that no longer have access.

Stumphouse Tunnel was dug in solid granite tunnel (17 feet wide and 25 feet tall) and was to be 5,863 feet long. Construction occurred from 1856 to 1859 and 75% of it was actually completed. The tunnel has three incomplete sections. Tunneling began from both ends and from the middle. A shaft from on top of the mountain gave access to the middle section. The western section is now flooded by the waters of Crystal Lake. The eastern tunnel is 1,617 feet into the mountain. It can be intimidating; total darkness begins less than half way in. Bring your own flashlight. The tunnel starts in a small park that is surrounded by a beautiful southern Appalachian hardwood forest and includes a picnic area.

Issaqueena Falls. Photo Credit: Knight Cox.

Atop Stumphouse Mountain was the town of Tunnel Hill. Construction required a large labor force that turned out to be mostly Irish immigrants. Tunnel Hill is where the workers lived, mostly in poorly constructed homes. The town had a hotel, school, and even a Catholic church. Population estimates exceed 1,000 people. By one newspaper account there were 42 bars in the town. All that remains of Tunnel Hill is the cemetery.

One of South Carolina's most dramatic cascades is part of the park. Issaqueena Falls is named for a Creek maiden who inspired many tales. The most popular legend about Issaqueena is presented on a marker at the falls:

"As a girl Issaqueena was captured by the Cherokee and given the name Cateechee. As a young woman she met and fell in love with a white trader named Allan Francis. One day she overheard a plan by the Cherokee to attack the settlements on the frontier. To warn her lover, she found a swift pony and rode 96 miles to his trading fort. As she travelled, Issaqueena named the landmarks she crossed on her way – Six Mile Mountain, Twelve Mile River, Eighteen Mile Creek, and others on her way to her final destination at Fort Ninety Six.'

Tunnel emerges at edge of lake, with only top foot exposed; canal is old bed of the railroad.

"Fearing retribution from the Cherokee, Issaqueena remained with Allan, eventually marrying him. In time, she, Allan, and their newborn baby moved back to Stumphouse Mountain where they built their home. One day, the Cherokee Chief, angered with the white settlers, sent his warriors to capture Issaqueena. Issaqueena saw them coming and ran towards this waterfall to escape capture. Knowing that the Cherokee believed evil spirits lived in the waterfalls, she pretended to leap to her death. She hid on the ledge below the top of the waterfall where she remained until it was safe to rejoin her family. Her dramatic escape began the legend of Issaqueena Falls."

Yes, we looked and there is a significant ledge below the top of the waterfall. One could easily hide there. Legend or not, the waterfalls is worth a trip. A path provides easy access to a viewing area with a deck. Two wonderful attractions, set in the Appalachian forest, are well worth a side trip.

Authors: Thomas J. Straka and Silas K. Cox work in the Forestry Department at Clemson University in South Carolina.

For more info:

http://www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html

http://www.emapstore.com/sc_blue_ridge_mountains/Hike/tunnel_park_sc.htm

http://www.alleneasler.com/issa.html

http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15041

http://www.walhallachamber.com/page.php?9