An Unexpected Tunnel Is Hiding Underground In This Cemetery In New Jersey
By Kristen|Published August 05, 2017
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
New Jersey has a rich railroading history and the largest commuter rail system in the United States in terms of track mileage (951 miles). Over the years, our transportation needs have changed, and new tracks have been built while old tracks have been converted into hiking and biking trails; others have been abandoned, unable to be repurposed.
Fairview Cemetery appears at first glance to be much like any other cemetery.
Also known as Fairview Memorial Park and Mausoleum, I am referring to the burial ground in Fairview (Bergen County) - not to be confused with the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. This cemetery is the final resting place of several Spanish American War veterans along with notable figures including Willard Marshall, a Major League Baseball player, Marshall Van Winkle, a US congressman, and Alexander Esau, a victim of the serial killer, "Son of Sam."
But it has a seemingly enigmatic tunnel hiding underneath.
It's not a secret cave or portal to hell (as far as I know), but the tunnel isn't too mysterious if you know a bit about local history. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway's Edgewater Branch ran approximately 3.2 miles between the Little Ferry Yard (in Ridgefield) to Edgewater and the Hudson River. While portions of the line still remain active, the 1-mile stretch of tunnel under the Fairview Cemetery remains abandoned. The tunnel runs up to 200 feet underground, and was built in 1894. Pictured is the tunnel entrance in Fairview - the tracks were removed in the 1990s.
It's also important to note that the entrances (both Fairview and Englewood) are located on private property and trespassing is illegal. There are numerous "no trespassing" and "do not enter" signs which make this very clear.
A pipeline and power cable now run through the tunnel. It is often flooded with muddy water, filled with rats, garbage and possibly vagrants. Pictured above is an interior shot; originally all brick, the concrete and metal reinforcements you see are a newer addition.
Being located under a cemetery, there are rumors that portions of the tunnel have collapsed, that caskets are visible and that hell hounds guard the area. Of course, none of this is true. However, it very well may be home to restless, railroad loving spirits and it is certainly an eerie spot. Some say that a young girl was struck by a train in the tunnel and killed instantly, others say a ghost train runs through on the darkest of nights.
The tunnel has three openings, its entrance, exit, and a vent.
I've heard that kids in the '70s and '80s often used to head into the tunnel on hot days, seeking refuge from the heat. Dark and set into the depths of the earth, it's a bit cooler than the surrounding area. Its vent also allows for a breeze, though water almost constantly drips through. Since the tunnel was primarily used to transport coal, and trains were powered by potentially suffocating steam, an air vent was essential. The vent is still visible on Google Maps, pictured. While interesting to see from above, be aware that these are private residences.
If you’re absolutely itching to investigate, you can… kind of. Feel free to explore the tunnel without risk of injury or arrest by watching the video below.
Whether this tunnel is haunted or not, I’m always interested in learning a bit more about New Jersey’s history. Who knew that there was a tunnel here, hidden away under a cemetery? New Jersey has a variety of fascinating cemeteries, if you’re into that sort of thing. You can find many notable historical figures buried in Princeton Cemetery (Grover Cleveland, Aaron Burr) and the Garden State is also home to a unique cemetery turned community gathering space. You can more about the surprisingly lively Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery here.
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