Little Tunnel - Cumberland Gap, TN

A major railroad tunnel was built in 1889 to connect Cumberland Gap, TN to Middlesboro, KY. A couple years after that, a spur line was constructed to connect Cumberland Gap to Harrogate. This tunnel was constructed to get through a 1200 foot long ridge. The bricks you see here are original to the tunnel.

The tracks to Harrogate have long been abandoned and was converted to a pedestrian trail. This tunnel and two bridges are part of this path. When US58 was widened, there was a need to extend this tunnel further under the highway; this newer portion is corrugated metal instead of brick. This tunnel is also used by Lincoln Memorial University students who stay in the University Inn dormitory and choose to walk to campus.

The best way to visit the tunnel today is on the Cumberland Gap side. At the south end of Roslyn Ave. is Kaitlyn DeVries Dog Park. There is ample parking here and it's about a 500 ft. walk to the entrance.

Obsolete US Highway 25E sign - Cumberland Gap, TN

Here is a vintage U.S. Highway sign which still stands in downtown Cumberland Gap, TN near the post office. Almost all of the paint is gone from the sign, but we can still read what is says.

US25E traffic was no longer routed through the middle of town in 1996 once the Cumberland Gap Tunnel was built. Before then, this sign pointed people to turn right. Traffic then turns left over by the city hall and goes north into Vigirina. From there, the old route began its dangerous descent through the Gap. If you can see the rock bluff in the background, that is where this route would eventually take motorists.

This sign is still much older than 1996. It's rare to see a remaining U.S. Highway Shield sign with the "TENN" at the top, and the E smaller than the 25. The city is proud of their old sign as they tied a fall corn display to the sign.