Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

The latest Hidden Gem shows cars can really drive through a "keyhole."

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Vernon's "Keyhole" Tunnel
Vernon's "Keyhole" Tunnel (Chris Dehnel/Patch )

VERNON, CT — The latest Hidden Gem was an engineering marvel in its day and is still a sight to see in 2022.

It's the "Keyhole" Tunnel on the aptly named Tunnel Road in Vernon.

According to the Vernon Historical Society, back in 1849, construction of the the "Keyhole" coincided with the development of the railroad that took folks to and from north central Connecticut during the Victorian Era textile mill heyday. Crews bored through embankments to allow roads to be built under the tracks. The tunnel took three years to construct and, at the time, was the largest Keystone arch in the state.

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In a vintage picture from the historical society, buggy tracks can be seen in the dirt road.

(Vernon Historical Society)

One worker — Jerry Grady — carved his name inside the tunnel, we are told.

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The railroad has since faded into history and the old tracks are now part of the area rails-to-tails system. Traffic now alternates one-way through the tunnel.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to Chris.dehnel@patch.com.

Other Gems in this series:

2022

2021 and earlier:

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