History Tidbit: The Fort Columbia Railroad Tunnel
The tunnel under Fort Columbia became a defining feature for the railroad. Digging the 800-foot tunnel through the basalt rock of Scarborough Head was the most time-consuming part of building the Megler extension. To begin construction, the railroad had to obtain permission from the government to dig below the fort. A Special Act of Congress (page 2, General Orders #45, War Department) granted that permission. The tunnel had to be 100 feet in front of the nearest battery and 60 feet below the magazine floors.
Digging took place from both sides of the hill with two gangs of 40 laborers each. The work was interrupted by labor issues and a recession in 1907. The workers finished the tunneling portion of the project in February of 1908.
When finally completed, the tunnel was lined with timbers, and the portals were also wooden. The rock material removed from the hill was used as fill to build the rail bed to the east of the hill. The construction of the tunnel was the heaviest work imaginable.
In the 1920s, automobiles became more prevalent, and the dirt road over Scarborough Head was a slow and dangerous route. Because the tunnel was used exclusively by the train, a wooden trestle road was built from the east side of the hill to the Fort Columbia government dock, thus providing a “shortcut” for trucks and autos. You can still see the pilings in the Columbia River as you approach from the east.
The tunnel you drive through today is about 74 feet shorter, and much wider and taller than the original. Morrison-Knutsen was hired to reconfigure the tunnel after the railroad was closed in 1930. Now, cement-lined and wired for lighting, the tunnel has its second life as an automobile tunnel.
Source: CPHM Railroad Archives.
CPHM Photo Collection: Plank Road and Tunnel, c1920; Engine #6 coming out of the tunnel.
Washington State Parks: Fort Columbia Tunnel construction.
Clamshell Railroad Days, an annual celebration of model trains and local train history, is back at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum on July 19th and 20th. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days and will feature model train layouts from several regional train clubs. Admission is $5 for the weekend and includes a commemorative button. Children under 12 are free. Proceeds go to supporting museum operations.
CPHM’s historic Railcar NAHCOTTA will be open for viewing Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am-Noon and 2:00pm-3:30pm.
1938 is the oldest topo map that is available.
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