Moonville Tunnel
Hope-Moonville RoadZaleski, Ohio 45651
www.moonvilletunnel.net
Moonville Tunnel
The Moonville Tunnel is an abandoned industrial marvel once used to transport coal and clay out of the town of Moonville.
The Moonville Tunnel is an abandoned industrial marvel once used to transport coal and clay out of the town of Moonville. It is part of the Moonville Trail which stretches along the line of the old railroad from Zaleski to Mineral. Bikes, Horses, and hikers are welcome to use the trail.
Moonville was a mining community built around the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad in 1856. In 1887, the Baltimore & Ohio Company took over the railway. The original construction date is unknown, but the tunnel was rebuilt in 1904. As the coal industry declined, so did the town of Moonville. It was abandoned in 1947. Today, all that remains is the tunnel and ruined foundations.
The Moonville Tunnel is a hidden gem in southeast Ohio, providing a unique experience. Nestled in the hills of Vinton County across Raccoon Creek, the longest creek in Ohio, the tunnel looms in the distance, increasing in size as you approach. Even on a bright summer day, darkness fills the middle of the tunnel. Beyond the tunnel is a hiking trail along the old railway.
Numerous ghost stories surround the old tunnel, making it one of the most haunted places in Southeast Ohio. Visitors report seeing various apparitions including an 8ft tall spectral miner with a white beard, a woman in late nineteenth century clothing, and even the ghost of a brakeman who allegedly stumbled onto the railroad tracks in 1859 and was killed by a passing train.
Notes for Travelers
Gravel roads and blind turns may make for a treacherous approach by car; be careful! The trail through the tunnel trail may be muddy or flooded. Remember that the tunnel is part of a bridle trail, so mind where you step! Bug spray may be necessary. Cell service is limited.