Final "Reclaiming" Photos - Church Hill Tunnel

This site is the western entrance of the historic Church Hill Tunnel. The tunnel was built by Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1875. The tunnel collapsed in 1926 due to the shrink-swell clay surrounding it. The flooded site is considered unsafe to recover. Today, several bodies and train cars remain buried behind this wall.

The tunnel now acts as a grave and a memorial as well as a historic landmark. Prof. Birchett mentioned that this site is like a cairn.

The reclamation of Church Hill occurred quickly and unexpectedly. We often assume that nature will only take back what we abandon and leave to waste. This swift overtaking shows the power of nature and our false sense of victory over its forces.

Also on the site is an abandoned warehouse that likewise has to do with reclamation.

Here's a few pictures inside the warehouse...

This gas pump probably dates to around 1940.