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Nada Tunnel
"Nada tunnel, dug in 1910-11 for trains to
haul logs through a mountain to a sawmill on the other side, is
considered the western gateway to the Red River Gorge geological
area of Daniel Boone National Forest.
Here's what a sign at the entrance of the
tunnel says:
"Gateway to Red River Gorge, Nada tunnel
(measuring 13'x12'x900') was constructed to haul logs via narrow
gauge railroad from timber operations in the gorge.
Construction began in Dec. 1910 and was completed in Sept.
1911. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills
and hand tools. One man was killed during tunnel
construction when he attempted to thaw frozen dynamite which
exploded when he set it near a fire.
"A 25-ton and a 35-ton Climax locomotive
were used to haul logs through the tunnel starting in 1912.
The first load of logs became jammed in the tunnel and had
to be dynamited free. It was enlarged to accomodate the
large logs common to the area.
"The railroad carried the logs 15 miles
to a mill at Clay City. At one time it was the largest
sawmill in the eastern United States"
Click on pictures for larger view
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Credits for tunnel information: http://members.iglou.com/perkins/newkpf/2002_06/home0522.htm