The Most Unique Tunnel In Wisconsin Comes With A Fascinating History
Wisconsin hides a fascinating gem beneath its landscape: the Stewart Tunnel.
This unique passage isn’t just an engineering curiosity. It carries stories from the past that captivate visitors and locals alike.
Every corner and creak tells a tale of history, adventure, and ingenuity.
Exploring the tunnel feels like stepping into a secret world, where each twist reveals both mystery and wonder, making it a must-see spot for anyone intrigued by the unusual and the historically remarkable.
1. A Tunnel Born From Tragedy
Before the first pickaxe struck limestone, tragedy struck the project. James Stewart, the tunnel’s namesake contractor, passed away in a buggy accident during preliminary surveys in 1887.
Rather than abandoning the project, workers honored him by naming the passageway after their fallen leader.
His legacy lives on through this engineering marvel that would soon connect communities across southern Wisconsin.
2. Curved Into Darkness
Walk into Stewart Tunnel and you’ll quickly understand what makes it unique… the passageway curves so dramatically that you can’t see from one end to the other!
The middle section plunges into complete darkness, creating an eerie void where sound echoes strangely and temperatures drop noticeably.
This design wasn’t for thrills but practical reasons: engineers needed to follow the natural limestone formation while maintaining a gentle grade for trains.
3. Underground Meeting Point
Imagine the excitement on December 1, 1887, when two separate drilling crews, one from each end, finally broke through and met in the middle of the limestone ridge!
Workers had been digging simultaneously from opposite directions, hoping their calculations would align perfectly.
When their picks finally pierced through to create one continuous passage, it marked a triumph of 19th-century engineering precision without modern surveying equipment.
4. Railroad Lifeline
For generations, trains rumbled through this limestone passage carrying everything from milk and cheese to coal and passengers between Madison and Freeport, Illinois.
The Illinois Central Railroad operated this vital transportation link until the mid-20th century.
Local farmers depended on these rails to get their dairy products to market quickly, while rural residents used passenger service to connect with larger cities and the wider world.
5. From Trains To Trails
When the last train whistle echoed through Stewart Tunnel decades ago, nature began slowly reclaiming the passageway.
But in 2007, it found new purpose as the crown jewel of the Badger State Trail.
Located in Green County between Belleville and Monticello, the tunnel became a highlight for hikers and cyclists exploring Wisconsin’s rail-trail system.
Adventure seekers would bring flashlights to navigate the pitch-black center section.
6. Temporary Closure Mystery
In 2019, adventurers arrived at Stewart Tunnel only to find disappointing “CLOSED” signs blocking both entrances. Safety concerns about potential rockfalls prompted Wisconsin DNR to shut down public access.
The closure wasn’t supposed to be long-term, but years have passed with the tunnel still off-limits.
Current plans call for design work in 2025 and construction in 2026-2027, leaving Wisconsin explorers waiting impatiently for its reopening.
7. Bats In The Belfry
While humans are temporarily banned, Stewart Tunnel’s current residents don’t seem to mind the quiet. Several bat species have claimed the limestone cavern as prime real estate for hibernation.
These nocturnal mammals roost in ceiling crevices during winter months.
Future renovation plans include ingenious pipe-lining that will protect trail users from falling rocks while preserving the bats’ habitat above.
This creative solution balances human recreation with wildlife conservation.