by April Dray
Hiking in Ohio can lead to some interesting pieces of the past.
By now, you’ve likely heard of (and explored) the abandoned Moonville Tunnel. But did you know there’s also another abandoned railroad tunnel and ghost town remnants hiding in Athens County just a few miles away? Most people don’t, however, it’s just as intriguing to explore—and this one, thankfully, isn’t haunted. (Not that we know of anyway.) If you’ve ever wanted to explore an abandoned village along one of the most fascinating hiking trails in Ohio, what’s left of the small town of Mineral will likely satisfy your curiosity. It’s not as spooky as other abandoned and haunted places in Ohio, but it’s fascinating.
Located less than three miles from the ghost town of Moonville, what’s left of Mineral is also hiding in the middle of Zaleski State Forest. You’ll head down Rock Camp Rd., just off of King Hollow Trail (pictured)
To reach the ghost town, you’ll head down Rock Camp Rd., just off of King Hollow Trail. If you don’t want to hike through Moonville as well, you can park near the intersection of King Hollow Trail and Rockcamp Road.
Since the Moonville Rail Trail, (which runs from Zaleski to Athens), is county property, take note to follow the guidelines of the posted signs.
King’s Hollow Tunnel, (also known as “Mineral Tunnel”, “King’s Switch Tunnel,” “King’s Station Tunnel” and “King’s Tunnel”), sits on the same old rail line as the Moonville Tunnel.
The tunnel was built around 1855 by the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. The tunnel later became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and then the CSX, before it was abandoned in the 1980s. Now it’s part of one of the best hikes to abandoned places in the state.
The town of Mineral was heavily involved in the mining and iron manufacturing industries during the 19th-century.
Pictured above is an 1867 map of Kings Station and Mineral City. Today, the ghost town is simply referred to as Mineral.
This timber-lined tunnel is now abandoned, making it a really unique hiking destination for Ohio explorers interested in the area’s coal mining and railroad history.
A bit longer than the Moonville Tunnel, King’s Hollow Tunnel measures 355.2 feet long and 15 feet wide.
Near the tunnel, you’ll find other remnants of what was once part of the ghost town of Kings Station. Pictured is an abandoned home.
ABANDONED PLACES IN OHIO
April Dray
Are there other hikes to abandoned places in Ohio?
Yes, there are several hikes to abandoned places in Ohio. Here are some of interest:
- Moonville Tunnel via the Moonville Rail Trail in McArthur, Ohio.
- Abandoned Cherry Valley Iron Works coke ovens at Leetonia Beehive Coke Ovens Park.
- Railroad tracks via The Valley Trail at Ault Park in Cincinnati.
- Technically, Squire’s Castle at North Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby, Ohio is also abandoned because its construction was never finished. Today, visitors can explore what is left of the incomplete structure via a 2.2-mile loop trail that leads right to the castle.
What are the most haunted places in Ohio?
Some of the most haunted places in Ohio are the following:
- The most haunted town in Ohio is arguably the village of Waynesville, which is rumored to have more than 30 haunted destinations.
- The most haunted house in Ohio is likely Franklin Castle in Cleveland, which dates back to the late 1880s.
- Other famous places in Ohio include the Ohio State Reformatory, Ohio University Athens campus, and the historic riverboat town of Marietta.
Follow this mapped-out road trip for a list of some of the most infamous haunted places in Ohio.
Can I visit any abandoned towns in Ohio?
There are very few abandoned towns left in Ohio. Mineral and Moonville are arguably the most accessible. Other abandoned towns in Ohio that are more difficult to explore include Cheshire, Boston Mills (also known as “Hell Town”), and Carpenter’s Mill. Findlay Ghost Town is a unique roadside attraction that features a replica of an 1880s-era ghost town. Throughout the year, it hosts craft vendors on select dates and serves as a haunted attraction throughout October.
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Main Photo: by Jim Reed
Vintage Dava 