The Hoffman tunnel, or Hoffman drainage tunnel, was constructed to
drain water from coal mines northwest of Clarysville (Eckhart Md.)
in Allegany County, Maryland. The two mile long tunnel drains into
the Braddock Run tributary of Georges Creek.
The Hoffman Drainage tunnel was an engineering triumph of its
age. Built in the period 1903 through 1906, it was hand-driven
through solid rock for 2 miles to provide an outlet for water that
was flooding the coal mines. The water had proven to be too much
for the steam pumps, and coal production was stagnating
The tunnel proceeds in a straight line, except for an 18 degree
turn located some 400 feet from the east (exit) portal. The tunnel
is a uniform 8 feet in height and width, and follows a downgrade of
some 1/3 percent. This put the exit 40 feet lower than the drainage
area in the mine, but more than sufficient for adequate flow. The
excavation work proceeded in three shifts per day, involving
blasting through hard rock. Working conditions were described as
“wretched” due to the cold water seepage. The men
worked in rubber waders. A pump was added near the exit, at the
horseshoe curve of the Eckhart Branch of the Cumberland and
Pennsylvania Railroad (C&P), to help control the flow.
The tunnel was punched through on Saturday, July 21, 1906 at 9
pm. It was found to be off by less than three inches. The Frostburg
Mining Journal of September 15, 1906, proclaimed, “The Great
Work Complete.” Inside the mines, the pumps were silenced,
and gravity took over to lower the water level. It is estimated
that 9,000,000 gallons of water were drained in 24 hours.
The east end of the tunnel, with its associated concrete arch
is located next of one of the bridge abutments that carried the
C&P horseshoe curve over the creek at that point.
Although the tunnel is in poor condition, and the Hoffman Mine
is no more the drainage tunnel still transports water from one side
of Hoffman slope to the other more than 100 years later
The cache you seek is on solid ground and provides for a Great
View of the Concrete Tunnel End, although the water now pours from
the ground about 50’ above the Original End and to the Left
is the remnants of part of the Original C&P Horseshoe
Curve.
Parking is provided along the shoulder of the Road and the cache
can be easily retrieved. No Room a writing Utensil so BYOP.
Congratulations to Matt Proffitt for the FTF !!!