through the solid sedimentary rock that formed the ridge. Upon completion in September of 1883 the rough cut solid rock bore 14’ wide by 18’ high and 469 feet long was marked by wood tunnel portals and one foot thick timber liners at the east and west entrances. The tunnel was named Perryopolis for the west portal village. The railroad, unfortunately, was the undoing of the village as Perryopolis had disappeared from maps by 1909. Most villagers moved to Zanes-ville in the 1890’s when the railroad offered easy access to the pottery factories with better wages and steady work for townsfolk. The tunnel and its name remained, however, to mark the village and serve the railroad.

Today rail-fanning Perryopolis Tunnel is only for the truly adventurous. Road access can be gained from SR78 in Noble County. Turn left on TWP 138 heading north from SR78 past Duvall. Travel 1.2 miles. At the bottom of the hill after the farm house pull off the side of the road. On the west side of the road is a telephone terminal box with the words TUNNEL-DO NOT DIG. This marks the centerline location of PERRYOPOLIS TUNNEL below. Looking southwest down the valley 1600’ was PERRYOPOLIS Flag Stop and village – no road access. You can investigate the tunnel from the East Portal location. Get permission at the farm house. Access requires a steep walk down the east farm field and into the wooded area to the left. Recommended only after fall frost and leaf fall through early spring before plant growth, insects, and snakes. Do not try this during the summer. Absolutely do NOT enter the tunnel. The stone shelf overlaying the portal has fallen away and continues to do so creating a cofferdam that permits water to collect about 3 feet deep in the tunnel. At least this has eliminated the bears that formerly maintained residence. The West portal location has collapsed more so -no doubt because of the southwest exposure to the rain storms that frequent this area loosening dirt and stone. If you arrive at about 5:00 PM the setting sunlight will illuminate the tunnels length even though only a small opening exists to the west. You can still walk up and look in from the east (Do NOT enter the tunnel because of the water and loose rock). The west portal is barely open but visible. Wooden timbers still protrude up on either side marking the cribbing from the East Portal entrance. Take only photos leave only memories. With the collapse of both portals the original 469 foot length has been reduced to about 350 feet by mother nature.

I want to thank Ed Cass for permission to use photo #1 and the portal drawing from his book "Hidden Treasures – the story of the Ohio River and Western Railway" Timber Times Copyright 1997.