Cities like Cleveland prove that there's more to discover than meets the eye. With centuries of history, one could expect to find New Deal era projects, gorgeous architecture, and a story or two. What you'll find in addition to that is what is truly startling. The entirety of Northeast Ohio is, it seems, criss-crossed by underground tunnels and subterranean caves. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself on this virtual tour:
1. The Secret Tunnels Of The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a gorgeous memorial to those that fought for their homeland, honoring Cuyahoga County natives that fought and died in the Civil War in particular. The monument weighs hundreds of tons, so to evenly distribute its weight, the city constructed a series of tunnels beneath it. Over the years, they've served mostly as storage, though they did at one point serve as an emergency fallout shelter. Many report that these tunnels are haunted, experiencing disembodied voices, footsteps, and even ectoplasmic touches.
2. The Old Subway Tunnels
Throughout our travels, most of us have passed over the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Few of us, however, have passed under it. Yes, it has a secret underground compartment which once housed Cleveland's streetcars, which fell out of use in 1954. The old tracks and station are still hidden underground, though, and they occasionally open to the public.
3. The Earth Crack
Located just a short drive from Cleveland is a subterranean world that's just slightly off the beaten path. This gorgeous underground world is known as Seneca Caverns, and it was first discovered in June of 1872. By 1933, locals were working to open this underground world to the public, an accomplishment that still attracts visitors to this day. To plan your trip, click here.
4. Your Friendly Neighborhood Tunnels
Did you know that tunnels connect the Detroit-Shoreway area to Edgewater Park? These passageways allow visitors to avoid traffic on their trek.
5. Downtown's Hidden Vault
The Cleveland Trust Rotunda has long captivated visitors by its beauty. As it turns out, it has a secret underground world hidden beneath its facade. Vault is now an upscale handcrafted cocktail bar, a haunt where its century-old beauty is admired and celebrated. To plan your visit, click here.
6. The Tunnels of Tinker's Creek
Viaduct Park hosts a gorgeous series of waterfalls on Tinker's Creek, but it also hides incredible ruins. Visitors will see crumbled and broken bricks marking the resting place of old buildings, and they may also spot the remnants of an old mill race in the form of tunnels.
7. Whiskey Island's Salt Mine
Did you know there are actually tunnels under Lake Erie? This mine fuels our wintertime cleanup escapades, providing rock salt to the region to assist in the melting of ice. The mine is roughly 12 square miles in size, hiding roughly 1,800 feet below the coast of Cleveland. For the full story on this hidden wonder, click here.
8. The Zoo's Secret Subterranean
If you've ever been to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, you have probably noticed how vast its campus is. Part of the campus is carved and shaped by the Big Creek, which is part of the Cuyahoga River. Much of this tributary is armored with concrete banks, some of which create tunnels that look like entrances to a hidden world.
Here in Northeast Ohio, there's more than meets the eye. These incredible passageways are just a few of the subterranean wonders in the area, and more are being discovered as time marches on. How many of these secret places have you visited?
If you're a fan of hidden surprises, you'll love this Cleveland area speakeasy hidden in a barber shop.
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