The dream was to develop a railroad line from Charleston, SC to Cincinnati, OH, right through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Rail Line was completed from Charleston to Pendleton in the 1850's, but the granite Stumphouse Mountain presented a major challenge. There were 1500 tunnel workers, mostly Irish immigrants who were following their dreams to America. They worked 12 hour days, six days a week, using only sledge hammers, hand drills and black powder.

Stumphouse Tunnel was to be 5, 863 feet long, but, the granite stone was relentless and at peak manpower, workers were able to progress only 200 feet per month. Workers were able to cut 1600 feet from the western opening before state funds ran out in 1859. Before more money could be acquired, the Civil War began and after the war, the state was in no position to continue construction of the rail line, so it just faded into history.

The temperature inside the tunnel is a consistent 56 degrees with 85 percent humidity year round. At one point during the 40's, Clemson College found that the conditions were ideal and used the tunnel to cure blue cheese.