The Abandoned Spainhower Railroad Tunnel

The Spainhower Tunnel is on the Rowland Branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, which operated from 1868 to 1934. The branch extended from Fort Estill just south of Richmond, Kentucky, to Lancaster, Rowland, and Stanford. The branch was also known as the Old Henry, named for Henry Lammers, one of the engineers. There were several short tunnels on the branch –  including this one which is just about 2 miles east of the Point Leavell Tunnel.

After the rail line and tunnel were abandoned the rail bed was converted over to automobile traffic and named “Old Railroad Grade Road. It’s reported that the tunnel was built by Irish immigrants who picked and blasted through the solid limestone on both ends until they met in the middle. The 654 foot long tunnel was also used by the locals for shelter during severe storms and tornados.