Abstract and Architectural 2

Tunnels and Buildings

The Capitol Building, Washington DC

The Missionary Ridge Tunnel. As you can see this tunnel was dug in 1858 and was a vital link into Chattanooga from Knoxville and points north. The tunnel is now on the property of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. They have a great collection of steam locomotives (including Southern RR 4501) and rolling stock. There's a nice ride from their station off Hwy 153 along their private tracks to the station in East Chattanooga. This is well worth the time and ticket price.

During the Civil War, this long tunnel was used by the Confederate Army to store ammunition. A Union sympathizer was caught trying to detonate the stores and was hanged nearby.

Detail of the inside vaulting of the tunnel. The bricks were made by hand using clay from this site and the large blocks were hewn from rock removed from the tunnel.