Haunted Hoosac Tunnel - North Adams, Massachusetts
Within the Green Mountain Range of Vermont in between the Deerfield River and Hoosac Mountain
sits a 147 year old train tunnel said to be quite the haunted location. Of course upon hearing this I knew
I had to make at least a quick stop at this tunnel while on my haunted locations road trip last year so
while on my way to Stowe, Vermont I did just that. Scroll on down to read more about my
experience at this tunnel also known as "the bloody pit."
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The Tunnel's History
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The Hoosac Tunnel was constructed in 1875 after 24 years of setbacks ranging from a lack
of money, building difficulties, politics, and tragic accidents. However, against all odds the tunnel
was finally completed and trains began to make their way through. To this day the tunnel remains
fully functioning with a handful of trains still utilizing it.
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As I mentioned, this tunnel goes by quite the dread inducing nickname, "the bloody pit."
During the 24 years it took to construct this passageway through the green mountains 200
miners lost their lives either through explosions, drownings, fires, and even one non-accidental way.
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Accident or Ghostly Murder?
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In 1865 three explosives experts walked into the Hoosac Tunnel. However, only one of the three
walked out. After setting up a nitroglycerin charge the three men began running towards the safety bunker, but the
charge was prematurely set off and ended up burying Ned Brinkman and Billy Nash underneath tons of rock
killing them on the spot. After the explosion that killed his coworkers Ringo Kelley disappeared and was not
seen again until 1866 when his body was found inside the tunnel with clear signs of strangulation.
To this day the case remains unsolved, but many have speculated that the ghosts of Brinkman
and Nash are the ones responsible. This led to the belief that the tunnel may in fact be cursed
and greatly slowed the construction of the tunnel as the workers themselves did not
want to enter the tunnel any longer.
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The Devastating Disaster of 1867
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Not long after the discovery of Kelley's body another tragedy struck in the tunnel. 13 men entered
into the tunnel on a fine October afternoon to construct a central shaft to help ventilate the
tunnel. Above where they were working sat a building containing flammable materials
such as oil, gas, and explosives. Unfortunately a spark inside this building caused an explosion
and enveloped the entire building in flames. There was no time to bring up the workers almost 600
feet deep inside the tunnel and before long the building collapsed causing men to be showered in
debris, equipment, and tools. In an attempt to try and rescue the 13 a man on the surface, Thomas
Mallory, was lowered down into the tunnel in a bucket. However, when he was brought back up he
had passed out from a lack of oxygen and deemed the rescue mission hopeless. No one could
have survived down there. Eventually the tunnel began to fill with water and one year later the bodies
of the miners finally found their way back to the surface where it was discovered that they had in fact
survived initially and built a raft to try and keep themselves from drowning. Unfortunately even after
all that each one of the 13 miners died from asphyxiation.
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Image from http://storyland.coplacdigital.org/mcla/death/deaths-in-the-hoosac-tunnel/
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Haunted Happenings at the Tunnel
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While at the tunnel people have claimed to have heard eerie moaning and shrieks coming from
inside, seen full body apparitions, seen what appears to be a miner's lantern moving towards
them in the darkness, heard footsteps and voices, and one man even swore that the ghosts
inside saved his life on more than one occasion.
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My Search For the Tunnel
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The drive to the Hoosac Tunnel was a gorgeous one full of orange, yellow, and red leaves engulfing the sides of
the twisting two lane road while more still twirled down to the road from their tree branches above.
However, there too was an ominous feeling lurking in the background that was impossible to
ignore. A feeling that almost made me want to forgo the tunnel all together in search of a safer
and brighter feeling location.
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With no cell service and the radio turned down I pulled into a small gravel area next
to the train tracks that disappeared into the stone mouth of the tunnel.
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A quick glance around showed me that I was not alone as I would have liked. Sitting on the
opposite side of the tracks in a pair of folding lawn chairs were two men. Why they were there I had
absolutely no idea, but it was yet another contributing factor to the growing uneasiness I had
been feeling since nearing the bridge.
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Eventually I decided to get out of my car and make my way down towards the mouth of the
tunnel. I kept my distance from the two men while never taking my eyes off of them
and proceeded to ignore the "No Trespassing" signs as I crossed the train tracks
and inched closer still to the tunnel.
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I stood on the righthand side of the tracks near the mouth of the tunnel debating whether or not
I wanted to actually head into the tunnel and risk getting in trouble or getting mowed
down by an oncoming train, but in the end decided with those guys still hanging out by the tracks
that my best bet was to just stay where I was. Last place I wanted to be was secluded alone in
a dark train tunnel where more than ghosts could get to me. See? I learned my lesson
from Watkins Glen State Park dad. lol
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I took a bunch of pictures of the outside of the tunnel, which in the fall was actually quite a
beautiful sight, hoping to maybe catch a ghost on camera and I strained to try and hear any
potential moans or screams coming from inside.
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Unfortunately, whether it was because
I was not actually inside the tunnel or because of the rushing water beside me
or because it was daytime, I didn't experience anything other
than that lingering feeling of uncomfortableness. I eventually walked back to my car
fully aware of the men that were STILL sitting there by the tracks watching my every move and got back on the road
to Stowe. (Pro tip: If you come to this tunnel you will NOT have any cell service so
be sure to download your directions beforehand. I of course did not and then proceeded to get lost lol)
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Final Thoughts
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So do I think the Hoosac Tunnel is haunted? Based on my experience there,
no. However, I am not going to fully discount it. I would actually love to return (maybe with a
group of people) and actually go inside of the tunnel to do a quick investigation to really
give this tunnel a fair shot in the "is it haunted game."
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