Designer: John A. Elliot (University of Washington)
State Highway Engineer: Henry L. Bowlby (West Point Graduate)
Tunnel Length: 385 feet
Cost to Build: $50,000
Year Tunnel was Built: 1915
Rock Type: Basalt
The Tunnel of Many Vistas
The Mitchell Point Tunnel was bored thru a rocky cliff overhanging the Columbia River. It was 385 feet long with 5 arched windows with parapets and benches to sit on. The large projecting rock cliff was called "Little Storm Crest" by the Indians. The large mountains behind the tunnel were known as "The Great Storm Crest".
The postcard below shows the west portal of the tunnel with the viaduct. When built, the two lane roadway was 24 feet wide. Broad by the road standards in 1916, ever increasing automobile and truck traffic soon obsoleted the narrow roadway and tunnel. In 1937, the construction and opening of the Tooth Rock Tunnel removed mainstream traffic from the Mitchell Point Tunnel.
Below, the picture shows the tunnel under construction in 1915. Notice the ladder that workers would climb to access the tunnel during this phase of construction.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel was a part of the original route of the Historic Columbia River Highway from 1916 thru 1932. Built under the supervision of John Elliot, a CRH engineer, the idea was taken from a similar tunnel located in Lucerne, Switzerland. Inspired by a photo that showed four windows and a tunnel overlooking Lake Uri and the Swiss Alps, Elliot fashioned his tunnel with five windows with views of the Columbia River, Mount Ranier and Mount St. Helens. The tunnel took over 8 months of blasting in 1918 and was a huge engineering feat. It solved the problem of traversing the roadway around or thru a prominent rock mountainside the Indians called Storm Crest. The tunnel was carved thru the natural riverbank's basalt cliff and was created with dynamite blasting and hand hewn labor. It was a spectacular accomplishment and a major highlight of the Columbia River Highway.
The tunnel served as primary car and truck thoroughfare until 1932, when the Tooth Rock Tunnel was opened offering an alternative route for travelers. Eventually, the tunnel became a one-way passage with the addition of a signal which controlled the traffic flow. In 1953, the tunnel was closed and was sealed with brick and mortar. In 1966, the tunnel was dynamited to clear the way for the new section of I-84. All that remains today is the roadway floor on a shelf 95 feet above the river where the tunnel used to sit.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel viewed from the Columbia River bank below.
Designer: John A. Elliot (University of Washington)
State Highway Engineer: Henry L. Bowlby (West Point Graduate)
Tunnel Length: 385 feet
Cost to Build: $50,000
Year Tunnel was Built: 1915
Rock Type: Basalt
The Tunnel of Many Vistas
The postcard below shows the west portal of the tunnel with the viaduct. When built, the two lane roadway was 24 feet wide. Broad by the road standards in 1916, ever increasing automobile and truck traffic soon obsoleted the narrow roadway and tunnel. In 1937, the construction and opening of the Tooth Rock Tunnel removed mainstream traffic from the Mitchell Point Tunnel.
Below, the picture shows the tunnel under construction in 1915. Notice the ladder that workers would climb to access the tunnel during this phase of construction.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel was a part of the original route of the Historic Columbia River Highway from 1916 thru 1932. Built under the supervision of John Elliot, a CRH engineer, the idea was taken from a similar tunnel located in Lucerne, Switzerland. Inspired by a photo that showed four windows and a tunnel overlooking Lake Uri and the Swiss Alps, Elliot fashioned his tunnel with five windows with views of the Columbia River, Mount Ranier and Mount St. Helens. The tunnel took over 8 months of blasting in 1918 and was a huge engineering feat. It solved the problem of traversing the roadway around or thru a prominent rock mountainside the Indians called Storm Crest. The tunnel was carved thru the natural riverbank's basalt cliff and was created with dynamite blasting and hand hewn labor. It was a spectacular accomplishment and a major highlight of the Columbia River Highway.
The tunnel served as primary car and truck thoroughfare until 1932, when the Tooth Rock Tunnel was opened offering an alternative route for travelers. Eventually, the tunnel became a one-way passage with the addition of a signal which controlled the traffic flow. In 1953, the tunnel was closed and was sealed with brick and mortar. In 1966, the tunnel was dynamited to clear the way for the new section of I-84. All that remains today is the roadway floor on a shelf 95 feet above the river where the tunnel used to sit.
The Mitchell Point Tunnel viewed from the Columbia River bank below.
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