Driving around North America you'll encounter the occasional tunnel that's been carved through some huge mountain because it was an easier feat to go through the mountain than construct a road over or around it. But South Carolina is void of any fun tunnels you can drive through. However, there is this one historic tunnel in South Carolina that not many people know exists.

The Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel, located just outside of Walhalla, is steeped with history.

It's also very cool, both metaphorically and literally.

Cut into solid blue granite more than 150 years ago, this tunnel in South Carolina is now part of a park.

You can visit, walk through it, and feel the rich history inside these cold hard walls. In the 1950s Clemson used a part of the tunnel to age cheese. You'll see evidence of their work when you visit. You're going to love exploring this one-of-a-kind place. The trail to the Stumphouse Tunnel is one of the most unique hiking trails in South Carolina.

According to the 1970 Nomination Form submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, the tunnel complex at the time consisted of 40 acres of land and 2 acres of water.

The section of tunnel you can visit and walk through is 1,617 feet in length. It is usually damp and sometimes filled with some standing water. It's 25 feet high and 17 feet wide.

Construction on this historic landmark tunnel in South Carolina began in the 1850s. The total project would have cut rail lines and tunnels through a total of four states in an effort to connect South Carolina's coast to Tennessee. But the project ran out of money and work came to a halt. Attempts to revive the project failed.

During the height of the tunnel project, a town grew on top of the mountain. It was referred to as "Tunnel Hill." In 1858 the population of Tunnel Hill was 1,232. Today only minor remnants of the town remain such as a block from a building foundation.In 1970, when the nomination was presented to the National Register of Historic Places the only remains of Tunnel Hill town were described as an occasional headstone, some building foundations, and a footpath leading to the tunnel. Take this three-minute virtual walking tour through this historic landmark of a tunnel, South Carolina's ONLY tunnel. It's amazing.

Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel in South Carolina was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places on April 7, 1971. If you're unable to visit in person, you can get a good feel for it from this virtual walking tour and the Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel photos.

Have you heard of or visited Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel near Walhalla? You'll find the park about 7 miles west of Walhalla on Highway 28. The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to sunset. No camping is allowed, but you can stay overnight in Walhalla's charming Lofts Over Main.

What are your favorite historic landmarks in South Carolina? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Are you an explorer? You may enjoy reading: Hiking To This Above Ground Cave In South Carolina Will Give You A Surreal Experience.