Montgomery Bell Tunnel facts for kids
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Montgomery Bell Tunnel
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Montgomery Bell Tunnel (interior view)
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | White Bluff, Tennessee |
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| Built | 1819 |
| MPS | Iron Industry on the Western Highland Rim 1790s-1920s MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001188 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1994 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The Montgomery Bell Tunnel, also known as the Patterson Forge Tunnel, is a special historic tunnel in Harpeth River State Park in Cheatham County, Tennessee. It was built way back in 1819. This tunnel is 290-foot (88 m) long. People believe it was the very first full-size tunnel ever built in the United States. It was also the first tunnel used to move water for factories and businesses. Because of its importance, it was named a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1981 and a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
Contents
Exploring the Montgomery Bell Tunnel
What is the Montgomery Bell Tunnel?
The Montgomery Bell Tunnel is found inside Harpeth River State Park. This park is just north of a town called Kingston Springs, Tennessee. In this area, the Harpeth River takes many twists and turns. These turns are called meanders. At one point, two parts of the river get very close to each other after a long loop. This spot is known as the Narrows of the Harpeth.
The tunnel cuts straight across this narrow strip of land, called an isthmus. It runs from north to south. The tunnel is 290 feet (88 m) long. It was dug entirely through solid limestone rock. The tunnel and its openings (portals) do not have any special lining. The tunnel itself looks like a rectangle with a rounded top, like an arch. It is usually 8 feet (2.4 m) high and 15 feet (4.6 m) wide inside. The entrance opening is 12 feet (3.7 m) high and 35 feet (11 m) wide. The exit opening is 9.5 feet (2.9 m) high and 16 feet (4.9 m) wide. Over the years, the tunnel has had some damage from water and weather.
How the Tunnel Was Built
A man named Montgomery Bell bought the land here in 1818. He was a businessman from Pennsylvania. He owned many iron factories in central Tennessee. Mr. Bell saw that the river could provide power for his factories. He realized he could use the river's water to help make wrought iron.
So, he decided to build this tunnel. The tunnel helped him use a 16-foot (4.9 m) drop in the river's height. This drop created a strong flow of water. This water power was perfect for running his iron-making machines.
Why This Tunnel is So Special
The Montgomery Bell Tunnel is the first known "full-scale" tunnel in the United States. It was built to move water. It is also believed to be the very first "full-scale" tunnel of any kind in the country. It was finished before the Auburn Tunnel in Pennsylvania, even though the Auburn Tunnel started construction first.
Today, the tunnel is the only part of Montgomery Bell's iron works that still stands. The dam, the water channels, and the iron factory itself are all gone. Even Mr. Bell's house, which was built nearby, no longer exists.
Later Years and a Fire
In the 1930s, the land around the tunnel was rented to the Boy Scouts of America. They used it as a summer camp. Later, in 1978, the land was given to the state of Tennessee.
On September 2, 2011, a fire started inside the tunnel. There was a lot of driftwood from a flood in 2010. This wood made the fire much bigger. Firefighters put out the fire in the early morning hours. The tunnel and the road above it were damaged. Luckily, they were repaired and made safe again. The Montgomery Bell Tunnel is now safe for visitors to enjoy.
