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Moonville Tunnel around 1985
This is Moonville Tunnel 2006
 
Moonville Trestle 1985
Moonville Trestle 2006 -Only the pillars remain.
Pictures from 1985 were submitted by Robin.
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A haunted Place-Moonville Tunnel
For Travel info:
www.vintoncountytravel.com
Check out some unique investigations with
the Hocking Hills Investigation Team (HITS) in conjunction with Hocking
Hills State Park and Lake Hope State Park!
Interesting Photographs taken by Nicholas
Viltrakis at Moonville Tunnel. Click for larger view.
. .
Look at lower right edge at the far end of the tunnel.
This is an enhanced view of the image at the right end of the tunnel.
The original photo as submitted by Michelle Schrader. Here
is herr story: "
I was camping at Lake Hope and I fully intended on
visiting the Moonville Tunnel while I was
there. I had previously visited the tunnel before this particular visit. I
went with two other friends in the middle of the day last fall, at the
beginning of October. We took a bunch of pictures, I was using my digital
camera. I did not notice that there was a "figure" in the picture until I
downloaded it on to my computer when I got home. Upon magnifying the shadow,
it appears to be a manly looking figure. It gave me complete chills. I have
shared the picture with lots of people, and we are all baffled. There is no
reasonable explanation for the figure. It
does go along with the legend of the tunnel, though.
Apparently, based on the story that I have
heard, there was a brakeman that was killed in the tunnel, and if you look
at the figure, it appears that his leg is missing from the photo, you can
see right through his leg. Creepy, huh? "
Click for larger view:
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Haunted Place-Haunted Train
Tunnel-Moonville
Ghost hunting for a haunted
place? Here's a haunted place in Ohio to check out. . .No trains have passed through
the towns of Hope, Moonville or Ingham for well over twenty years but nearly
hidden behind years of thick forest growth, the old Cincinnati and Marietta
Railroad tracks still run noiselessly through this section of southeastern
Ohio. But the locals here in Vinton County say the railway tracks aren't the
only remnants of the iron furnace days still hanging around. In fact,
stories tell of a railway brakeman that haps by the old Moonville Tunnel in
the dark of night...
It
seems that back around 1859, after stopping in Moonville, a brakeman for the
railway had been passing his break time away with a lantern in one hand and
a bottle of liquor in the other. He fell asleep and some time during the
night, he was awakened by the sound of his train leaving the depot.
Unsteadily, he arose, stumbling on to the train track and falling beneath
the wheels of the train. The brakeman never recovered from his injuries and
the ghost of the man is said to be seen stumbling down the tracks within the
tunnel with lantern in hand, still trying to catch the train before it
leaves Moonville Station.
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Moonville Ghosts-The Background Research
So were there actually any deaths in or near the
tunnel which would add any credence to the ghost of
the Moonville Brakeman? Actually, there have been
more than a few deaths near the tunnel. Here are just a few. Check out some of them
below:
Deaths at Moonville Tunnel:
Athens Messenger, July17, 1873 Moonville
brakeman killed
Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel, November 10, 1880
Train Wreck
Athens Messenger and Herald, September
1907
Portsmouth Times, 1938
Athens Messenger, Monday Oct 15, 1945
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Directions to Moonville Tunnel-
A Haunted Place
From State Route 93-Take State Route 56 to
State Route 278 south-following the signs toward Lake Hope State Park. You
will pass the iron furnace on the right and then the park lake. After the
lake, make the first left on to Wheelabout Road. Almost immediately, the
road will fork-veer to the left side of the fork. Follow this road until you
get to a metal, one-lane bridge crossing over Raccoon Creek. Just before the
bridge and on the left, you will see a pretty well-worn dirt trail that will
lead along the bottomland and then up a gravel incline to the old tracks.
The Moonville Tunnel is on the left. Watch out for poison ivy all along the
trail!
Please note: Always check with park staff to see when and
where you can hunt for these ghosts. Because of the danger of many areas like
the cliffs at Hocking Hills after dark, the trails close at dusk.
Copyright
© 2003-Haunted Hocking-Heart of
Hocking-Discover the wilder side of Ohio. The information provided is correct to
the best of our knowledge. Ohio State Park hiking trails are closed from dusk to
dawn. Please always call before you visit for changes in times or prices. Rates
may vary and may only be listed as base rates. Site Design:
21 Crows /
Heart of Hocking
Check out these sites for more information on
Ohio and exploring its wilder side:
Heart of Ohio
Hocking Hills Cabin
Rentals
Hocking Hills Visitors
Guide Hidden
Hocking Hills
Ohio Weddings
Hocking
Hills Weddings Kid
Friendly Places
Ohio Cabins
Cabin
Adventures in the Hocking Hills
Lake Erie Travel
Hocking Cabins
Old Man's Cave
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