Located in the Zaleski State Forest in Ohio the Moonville Tunnel is one of the two abandoned railroad tunnels along the Moonville Rail Trail. Moonville became a town in 1856 and in its peak only around 1870 no more then a hundred residents lived in the tiny town. After the coal boom was over the town entered a state of decline which it never recovered from. The last family left in 1947 and by 1960 all the buildings were gone and all that remained was the town cemetery and the tunnel. In 1856 the railroad was the only route to Moonville. The closest towns to Moonville were called Hope and Mineral. Individuals that wanted to access the opportunities and services in these larger towns had to do so by walking the tracks that were linked to the rail line. The towns people had to be wary of the tracks, the trestles, and also the tunnel associated with the tracks. They also had to walk through the Moonville Tunnel and could possibly come into contact with an oncoming train. The tunnel was only large enough for a train to pass and there were no alcoves to step into. This often lead to lost of lives and are the base for a lot of ghost stories linked to the Moonville Tunnel.
Directions to Tunnel: From Athens: Follow Rt. 50 as it separates from Rt. 32. Turn right on Rt. 278 towards Zaleski. Turn right onto Wheelabout Road. Stay straight on this road. This becomes a gravel path, and eventually crosses a one-lane bridge. Park near the old rail bed and cross Raccoon Creek to pick up the trail. Moonville Tunnel is about 100 yards from this point.