Most People in Missouri Have No Idea This Unique Tunnel Exists
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Stephanie Zeilenga
Author
Familiar to avid Katy Trail bikers but not many others, the Rocheport tunnel has historical (if a little unfortunate) significance. Bonus: a movie was filmed there, too!
The tunnel was built by men and mules in 1893 for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. It's located just west of Rocheport in central Missouri and is the only stone tunnel on the Katy Trail.
Its 243 feet are lined in brick, stone, mortar and earth. It can be found between mile 178 and 179 on the Katy Trail. It also has an interesting arched ceiling.
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Supposedly, its construction caused some scandal. This is possibly because the tunnel cuts through a hill featured in Lewis and Clark's journals chronicling their expedition.
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Before the hill was blasted away by dynamite, it was called Manitou Bluff and was well-known to people in the 1800s. The bluff's limestone walls featured large cave drawings and pictographs - all destroyed by the tunnel's construction.
Those not so keen on biking or hiking to see the tunnel can still get a glimpse of it from their couch. The tunnel was featured in Stephen King's Sometimes They Come Back, a 1991 made-for-TV film.
Or, watch this video!
Can’t get enough of unique Missouri sights? Check out this historical cemetery and this abandoned spot nature is reclaiming!
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