Clann Mhór
Greenwood Tunnel
Location: 115 miles W. of Richmond
Dates: 1850-1854
Length: 538 feet
Grade: 70 feet per mile
Width in clear: 14 feet
Height: 16 ft. 9 inches
Length of Arching: 538 ft.
Single Track: yes
Materials encountered: Primary shales
Remarks: C. Crozet, Chief Eng., C. R. Howard and D. Shanahan, Assistant Engineers; John Kelly, Contractor. Price of labor to 1853: Common labor=$1.12 ½; miners=$1.37 ½. After 1853: Common labor=$1.25; miners=$1.50.
Primary Source References:
The Brooksville and Greenwood tunnels, which, instead of being as appearances indicated, through sound rock, passed on the contrary through the worst materials, requiring heavy arching and timbering, together, of course, with enlarged excavations, the whole of which having added fully $147,000.
Claudius Crozet letter to Board of Public Works, Nov. 14, 1856
It was a dangerous work, requiring heavy timbering and two portals. The cost per running foot was $138.30.
Claudius Crozet letter to Board of Public Works, Oct. 22, 1856
Eastern Portal of Greenwood Tunnel
Work was done 1941-1943 to replace the Greenwood Tunnel with a cut, and the original tunnel was sealed off. The 1850 tunnel is located next to the CSX tracks in the old Greenwood Depot area.
Greenwood Depot, 1913?
A depot was established at Greenwood in 1853. Research at the C & O Historical Society indicates that the original depot was replaced in 1913.
The Greenwood Tunnel Today
Replacing Greenwood Tunnel 1941-1943
Photos from C & O Historical Society
Library of Congress