Location Of The Month

July 2006

Owensburg Tunnel

M.P. B&B 19.9 - 8th Subdivision - None

Built at a cost of $108,563.00, the original tunnel length was 1,362 feet. The tunnel included 626 bents, spaced every 6'6". In 1886, one hundred feet of the tunnel collapsed and was rebuilt, costing $4, 986.00. In 1894 the tunnel was rebuilt to accommodate standard gauge track. This rebuilding cost $27,000.00. An underground stream was the primary source of maintenance. In the early 1900's there were tunnel watch houses at both ends of the tunnel. -Courtesy Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society's 2002 Convention Tourbook-

Owensburg Tunnel, early 1900's. Left: Tunnel workers pose in this picture. The tunnel, the only one on the Monon. Right: The tunnel was widened in 1894 to allow standard guage equipment. Pictured is a local crew standing beside their locomotive.

Left: Another look of the workers on the Owensburg Tunnel. Date unknown. Right: Picture of local residents posing at one of the portals of the tunnel.

One more view of the west portal of the Owensburg Tunnel.

From the Hohenberger Photograph Collection at Indiana University's Lilly Library. Left: North portal of the tunnel as seen in 1928. Right: This viaduct is near the tunnel. No wonder they replaced it with a grade crossing. Date is also 1928. -Courtesy Pete Pedigo and the Lilly Library-

Looking down the B&B right of way at the west portal of the tunnel. Unknown date. Also unknown is the name of the gentleman pictured.

Owensburg Tunnel Today

Neither Portal is visible and the approach cuts have eroded into V's and have trees growing. The east portal location is the easiest one to get to, but since it is now on private land, ask permission first. A small dam has been built on the east end of the approach cut and it holds water as a pond. The west grade can be accessed from a country road back east towards the west tunnel portal. The terrain is pretty rugged and the road bed becomes lost where the approach cut erosion has filled in on top of it. The "V" of the cut erosion tells where the portal was, but the actual portal location is lost today.

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