Atlantic Avenue Tunnel (Brooklyn, NY)
Atlantic Avenue Tunnel (1844-1861)
Brooklyn, New York
The half-mile long Atlantic Avenue Tunnel (a.k.a. Cobble Hill Tunnel) was built in 1844 by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), lowering the grade over Cobble Hill and meeting public demand for a grade-separated right-of-way. Steam locomotives operated through the tunnel to South Ferry where passengers connected to ferries to Manhattan. It is generally considered to be the world's oldest subway tunnel.
The tunnel was sealed at both ends in 1861. Rumors of the tunnel's use abounded in the early 1900s. The tunnel was searched in 1916 upon suspicion that German terrorists were mixing mustard gas within its walls. Otherwise dormant for 120 years, the tunnel was "rediscovered" by Bob Diamond in 1981. Diamond accessed the tunnel through a manhole at the intersection of Atlantic Ave & Court St. The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association led tours of the tunnel until halted by the NYC Department of Transportation in 2010.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
Read MoreBrooklyn, New York
The half-mile long Atlantic Avenue Tunnel (a.k.a. Cobble Hill Tunnel) was built in 1844 by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), lowering the grade over Cobble Hill and meeting public demand for a grade-separated right-of-way. Steam locomotives operated through the tunnel to South Ferry where passengers connected to ferries to Manhattan. It is generally considered to be the world's oldest subway tunnel.
The tunnel was sealed at both ends in 1861. Rumors of the tunnel's use abounded in the early 1900s. The tunnel was searched in 1916 upon suspicion that German terrorists were mixing mustard gas within its walls. Otherwise dormant for 120 years, the tunnel was "rediscovered" by Bob Diamond in 1981. Diamond accessed the tunnel through a manhole at the intersection of Atlantic Ave & Court St. The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association led tours of the tunnel until halted by the NYC Department of Transportation in 2010.
Note: This text and accompanying photos are the copyright of Christopher Muller and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium.
