Buncombe Tunnel

The abandoned Chicago & North Western (C&NW) Buncombe Railroad Tunnel is one of southwest Wisconsin’s most fascinating forgotten transportation relics. Located near the Galena River in Grant County, the 350-foot tunnel was originally built in the 1870s by the Galena and Southern Wisconsin Railroad as part of a route connecting Galena, Illinois, with Platteville, Wisconsin. After the line was acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway in 1880, the railroad upgraded the route and modified the tunnel to accommodate larger standard-gauge trains carrying passengers, freight, and materials from the region’s mining communities.

The tunnel was part of a once-important rail corridor through the rugged Driftless Area landscape, where steep hills and river valleys made transportation challenging. As rail traffic declined and mining activity changed, the route eventually fell into disuse, and the C&NW abandoned the Buncombe section in 1938. Today, the moss-covered stone entrance, dark passage, and remnants of the old rail grade offer a rare glimpse into Wisconsin’s railroad history and the era when rail lines connected isolated communities across the state. The Buncombe Tunnel is a unique destination for history enthusiasts, photographers, hikers, and anyone interested in exploring the forgotten infrastructure left behind by Wisconsin’s industrial past.