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37082

Montgomery Bell's Tunnel
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: TunnelsEra: 1800-1829DateCreated: 1818Harpeth River State ParkKingston SpringsState: TNZip: 37082Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Montgomery-Bell-s-Tunnel/Creator: Bell, Montgomery

Montogomery Bell was a land developer and iron maker who purchased the Harpeth Narrows site to expand his industrial empire - which ultimately consisted of 14 iron blast furnaces throughout middle Tennessee.

The Harpeth River makes a tight bend around a steep limestone ridge, losing 17 feet of elevation in a run of 5 1/2 miles. Bell excavated a tunnel through the limestone ridge, creating a shortcut for the river. The hydropower derived from this drop in elevation was used to drive the Patterson Iron Works built by Bell.

YearAdded:
1981
Image Credit: Public Domain (Author's Choice)Image Caption: Montgomery Bell's TunnelEra_date_from: 1818
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Montgomery Bell's Tunnel

Montogomery Bell was a land developer and iron maker who purchased the Harpeth Narrows site to expand his industrial empire - which ultimately consisted of 14 iron blast furnaces throughout middle Tennessee.

The Harpeth River makes a tight bend around a steep limestone ridge, losing 17…

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