Montgomery Bell Tunnel
National Historic Landmark

Montgomery Bell Tunnel

White Bluff, Cheatham County, Tennessee
Listed
April 18, 1994
Type
Structure
Period
Early Republic
Ref No.
94001188

About this property

The Montgomery Bell Tunnel, also known as the Pattison Forge Tunnel, is a historic water diversion tunnel within Harpeth River State Park in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Named after Montgomery Bell who directed its construction, Bell called the area "Pattison Forge" (often misspelled "Patterson") in honor of his mother's maiden name. Built in 1819, the 290-foot (88 m) long tunnel is believed to be the first full-size tunnel built in the United States, and is the first used to divert water for industrial purposes. It was designated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1981, and a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

Location

White Bluff, Cheatham County, Tennessee

Categories

COMMERCEENGINEERINGINDUSTRY
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Questions about this property

When was Montgomery Bell Tunnel listed on the National Register?

Montgomery Bell Tunnel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 18, 1994.

What type of historic resource is Montgomery Bell Tunnel?

Montgomery Bell Tunnel is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Montgomery Bell Tunnel a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Montgomery Bell Tunnel has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Montgomery Bell Tunnel?

The period of significance for Montgomery Bell Tunnel is recorded as the early_republic era, specifically around 1819.

Can I research the history near Montgomery Bell Tunnel?

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