Deathly Echoes From The Big Tunnel
Deathly Echoes From The Big Tunnel
Uncovering the Paranormal Secrets Beneath Indiana’s Most Haunted Railway Passage
A Brief EVP Session in Tunnelton’s Iconic Tunnel
On a walk with my dad, we conducted a brief EVP session inside the infamously haunted Tunnelton Tunnel in Indiana. Could the faint voice we heard belong to Henry Dixon, the ill-fated night watchman who met a tragic end in this very place? Below is a video of our session where you can judge for yourself:
Video:
The Big Tunnel: A History of Hauntings
Location: The Big Tunnel (also known as Tunnelton Tunnel, Ft. Ritner Tunnel, B&O Tunnel, B&O Railroad Tunnel, CSX-Ritner Tunnel)
Address: 3029 River Road, Bedford, Indiana - approximately 3 miles southeast of Tunnelton.
A Historic Timeline
• 1855-1857: Construction of the tunnel begins for the Ohio & Mississippi (O&M) Railroad, connecting the towns of Tunnelton and Ft. Ritner. At 1,750 feet in length, it was the longest tunnel in Indiana at the time, and its construction involved carving through the solid rock of Tunnel/Horner Hill. The tunnel was built because the White River blocked the railroad’s path in one direction, and by constructing the tunnel, the railroad saved approximately 8 miles of travel. The tunnel’s curve prevents the other end from being visible at the entrance, making it perpetually dark, as described by The Indianapolis Star in 1925: “There is no point in it where the visitor can see the faint glimmer of light at both ends at the same time. The walls are thickly covered with soot, and the tunnel is exceedingly dark. An ordinary flashlight makes no impression and lends no assistance to the pedestrian.”
• 1856: The first O&M train passes through the tunnel, but the inaugural run is far from celebratory. A special train, featuring a “fancy flat car loaded with young girls dressed in white,” stalls halfway through the tunnel. Mules had to be brought in to pull the train out, and the passengers, covered in smoke and soot, were forced to walk out, their clothing ruined. This less-than-grand debut marked the beginning of the tunnel’s troubled history.
• 1859: The village of Tunnelton is officially laid out and platted on the north side of the O&M line. The town’s name reflects its proximity to two railroad tunnels, with the “Little Tunnel” located between Tunnelton and Riverdale. Originally, Tunnelton was a work camp for the construction of the tunnels, housing the laborers who toiled on these feats of engineering.
• 1898-1909: The tunnel undergoes significant modifications due to frequent rockfalls that obstructed the tracks and endangered trains. It is enlarged, shortened by approximately 20 feet to 1,730 feet, and lined with brick. The improvements included arching the tunnel for additional stability, which helped mitigate the constant danger. The inscription “Big Tunnel” over the arch remains visible to this day, a testament to the tunnel’s storied past.
• Ownership and Usage: Over the years, the tunnel has been controlled by various railroad companies, including the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) and the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railroad. It is currently part of CSX Transportation, continuing its legacy as a vital part of Indiana’s railroad history.
Tragedies and Hauntings: Tunnelton Tunnel’s Dark Legacy
Henry Dixon’s Murder (1908):
On a fateful day in 1908, Henry Dixon, a 35-year-old night watchman, was found dead approximately 200 feet from the entrance to the tunnel. His head bore a fatal wound, and his lantern, still burning, was discovered beside the tracks. The case, believed to be a robbery, was never solved. Dixon’s murder remains shrouded in mystery, with some locals suggesting that his body was dragged into the tunnel to be obliterated by a passing train, erasing any evidence of foul play. Despite widespread suspicion and rumors of who might have committed the crime, no one was ever brought to justice.
Other Notable Tragedies:
• Falling Rock Hazards: The tunnel’s construction through solid rock meant that falling rocks were a constant danger. Watchman Fields, employed by the B&O, would walk the entire length of the tunnel after each train passed to remove any rocks that had been dislodged from the ceiling. This perilous task underscored the tunnel’s reputation as a hazardous passage.
• 1907 Train Wreck: In a dramatic incident, a coal car from a passenger train derailed within the tunnel, causing five railcars—including mail, passenger, and sleeping cars—to pile up in a catastrophic heap. Though there were no fatalities, the injured passengers emerged from the tunnel’s mouth, nearly suffocated by the foul air within. Rescuers struggled to reach them through the choking darkness.
• Julius Fullen’s Fatal Injury (1933): Julius Fullen met a tragic end when he was struck by a train after apparently falling asleep on the tracks at the tunnel’s east end. Despite severe injuries—including a crushed arm and a head wound—Fullen managed to walk a short distance to seek help but died shortly thereafter. Fullen had been living with his brother in a cabin near the tunnel’s west end, adding a somber footnote to the tunnel’s history.
• World War I Guard Death (1917): During World War I, the tunnel became a strategic asset, with supplies and arms transported through its length. To prevent sabotage, guards were stationed at each entrance. Edward Call, a National Guardsman at Ft. Ritner, was accidentally shot and killed in a tragic incident during a “friendly scuffle” with a fellow soldier. The guardsman involved in the accidental discharge of the revolver suffered a nervous breakdown as a result.
• 1909 Ft. Ritner Train Wreck: Near Ft. Ritner, not far from the Big Tunnel, one of the worst railroad wrecks in the county’s history occurred when two freight trains collided head-on at a sharp curve. Five railroad men were killed, and two others were seriously injured in the massive pileup of wreckage. Miscommunication and confusion over time tables, likely exacerbated by the tunnel’s proximity, were blamed for the disaster.
The Haunting of Tunnelton Tunnel: Legends and Ghosts
The Big Tunnel is more than just a marvel of engineering—it’s a site steeped in eerie tales and ghostly encounters.
The Headless Watchman:
Several legends describe a watchman who was decapitated by an oncoming train while trying to signal it. One particularly chilling story recounts how a watchman, who walked the tunnel to clear the tracks and ensure the safety of the trains, was caught off guard one night. Unable to reach the safety of a “dead man” chamber—a small indentation in the tunnel wall designed as a refuge—he was sucked underneath a train and decapitated. Now, his ghost is said to roam the tunnel, swinging a lantern in search of his missing head. In some versions, the watchman is found hanged from a noose in the center of the tunnel, adding to the grim atmosphere.
Henry Dixon’s Restless Spirit:
Many believe that Dixon’s ghost continues to haunt the tunnel. Some say he can be seen at midnight, carrying a lantern and his severed head, while others claim that walking to the tunnel’s center invites an encounter with his spirit. Those who dare may feel him brush past or even be chased by his vengeful ghost. During the tunnel’s remodeling, guards were hired to prevent theft and vandalism. One night, while on patrol, Dixon reportedly thwarted an assault on a young girl, only to be found dead a few nights later with his skull crushed. His death reportedly shocked his pregnant sister-in-law into premature labor, resulting in the birth of a son with an exposed brain—a tragic condition eerily similar to Dixon’s fatal injury.
You will see in upcoming posts that the restlessness of Henry Dixon’s spirit will have an impact directly on my life for years to come.
Disturbed Graves:
A variety of stories suggest that the tunnel was built on or near disturbed graves, including those of Civil War soldiers, Native Americans, or convicts. As the tunnel was dug, it’s said that bodies fell through the roof, their spirits now trapped within the dark passage. Some legends claim that the tunnel’s construction disturbed an Indian burial ground, or that the bodies of convicts buried within the tunnel walls began to haunt the area. The idea that the tunnel was built through a cemetery, with bodies and caskets falling into the tunnel as it was excavated, only adds to the eerie lore.
Mysterious Lights and Sounds:
Many visitors report seeing mysterious lights, like a swinging lantern, or hearing the sound of a phantom train. These experiences, often described as starting small and growing larger, add to the tunnel’s eerie atmosphere. Some claim to see a light that starts as a faint glow at one end of the tunnel and grows brighter as it moves closer, swinging from side to side. Others report hearing the sound of an approaching train, only to find that no train is present. These phenomena contribute to the tunnel’s reputation as one of Indiana’s most haunted locations.
Tunnelton Massacre (1882):
Although not directly in the tunnel, the town of Tunnelton was the site of a grisly event where residents overheard men talking in saloon about plans to rob Alfred Guthrie, wealthy resident of Tunnelton, The townsfolk ambushed and killed the three would-be thieves. Some believe the tunnel harbors the lingering energy from this violence, despite the massacre itself occurring outside of the tunnel. The "Tunnelton Massacre" remains a dark chapter in the town's history, with echoes of the event reportedly felt within the tunnel's walls. The proximity of this violent episode to the tunnel adds to its sinister reputation, blurring the lines between historical fact and spectral legend.
Mafia and Prohibition-era Crimes:
The Tunnelton Tunnel is also rumored to have been a popular site for Mafia-related crimes during the Prohibition era in the 1920s. According to local lore, a mobster once dragged a man into the tunnel, shot him dead, and left his body to rot. This unnamed victim is said to haunt the tunnel to this day, his restless spirit manifesting in unexplained cold spots and shadowy figures seen at the tunnel's entrance. These stories, while difficult to verify, contribute to the tunnel's enduring mystique as a place where the past and the paranormal intersect.
Devil’s Backbone and Other Nearby Haunts:
Just up the tracks from the tunnel lies an area known as Devil’s Backbone, another location shrouded in legend. It is said that a family tragically died when their wagon fell into the water nearby. Their screams are still heard echoing through the area, particularly on stormy nights. This site, along with the tunnel itself, is a focal point for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers drawn by the promise of an encounter with the unknown.
The Writing on the Walls:
One peculiar legend claims that visitors who write their names on the tunnel walls will meet an untimely death when their names are erased. While this may be dismissed as mere superstition, the tunnel's history of tragedy gives the tale an unsettling resonance. Whether or not you believe in the curse, the tunnel's walls bear the marks of countless visitors, their names etched into the brick in defiance—or perhaps in fear—of the tunnel's dark reputation.
Devil Worship and Dark Rituals:
Some locals whisper that the Tunnelton Tunnel has been the site of devil worship and dark rituals. These stories, though often dismissed as sensationalism, contribute to the tunnel's aura of dread. The secluded nature of the tunnel, combined with its history of death and disaster, makes it an ideal setting for such macabre tales. Whether these rituals ever truly took place is uncertain, but the very suggestion adds another layer to the tunnel's haunted legacy.
Conclusion: A Tunnel to the Unknown?
Tunnelton's Big Tunnel is more than a marvel of 19th-century engineering—it’s a place where history and legend intertwine, creating an atmosphere thick with mystery and the supernatural. From the tragic death of Henry Dixon to the many legends of headless watchmen and disturbed graves, the tunnel seems to be a magnet for the unexplained. Whether the voice captured during our EVP session belongs to Henry Dixon or another restless spirit, it’s clear that this site holds secrets waiting to be uncovered. If you ever find yourself near Tunnelton, take a walk through the tunnel—but be prepared for what you might encounter.
— Evel Ogilville
Sources:
- Degh, Linda. *Indiana Folklore: A Reader*. Indiana University Press, 2001.
- Guthrie, J.M. *Thirty Three Years in the History of Lawrence Co. Indiana*. Self-published, 1915.
- Marimen, Mark, James A. Willis, and Troy Taylor. *Weird Indiana*. Sterling Publishing, 2008.
- Kobrowski, Nicole R. *Encyclopedia of Haunted Indiana*. Historic Indiana Ghost Walks & Tours, 2009.
- Simons, Richard S., and Francis H. Parker. *Railroads of Indiana*. Indiana University Press, 1997.
- Willis, Wanda Lou. *Haunted Hoosier Trails*. Indiana University Press, 2002.
- Willis, James A. *Haunted Indiana*. Clerisy Press, 2013.
- "Tunnelton Tunnel: The Big Tunnel of Indiana." *Strange USA*, www.strangeusa.com/viewlocation.aspx?id=51891.
- “Big Tunnel.” *Indiana Railroad Tunnels*, indianarrtunnels.weebly.com.
- “The Haunting of Tunnelton Tunnel.” *Only In Your State*, onlyinyourstate.com/indiana/tunnelton-tunnel-haunting-in/.
Special thanks to Eunice Specter for the historic research!
