Montgomery Bell Tunnel

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Montgomery Bell Tunnel
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Nearest city:	White Bluff, Tennessee
Coordinates:	36°8′48.6″N 87°7′19.4″W / 36.146833, -87.122056Coordinates: 36°8′48.6″N 87°7′19.4″W / 36.146833, -87.122056
Built/Founded:	1819
Architectural style(s):	No Style Listed
Designated as NHL:	April 19, 1994[1]
Added to NRHP:	April 19, 1994[2]
NRHP Reference#:	94001188
MPS:	Iron Industry on the Western Highland Rim 1790s-1920s MPS
Governing body:	State

The Montgomery Bell Tunnel, also known as the 'Patterson Forge Tunnel is a 290 feet long tunnel which was the first "full-scale" water diversion tunnel built in the United States. It is also apparently the first "full-scale" tunnel of any type in the United States, according to histories of tunneling. It was built by slaves in 1819.^[3]

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994.^[1][3]

It was built at about the same time, but apparently slightly before, the 450 feet Auburn Tunnel of Pennsylvania's Schuylkill Navigation Canal, which began use in 1821.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Montgomery Bell Tunnel. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
2. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
3. ^ ^{a b} National Historic Landmark Nomination: Montgomery Bell Tunnel / Patterson Forge TunnelPDF (32 KB), National Park Service, , 19 

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