Moonville Tunnel: Ohio's Haunting History and a Modern Rail Trail

Moonville Tunnel: A Haunting History in McArthur, Ohio The Moonville Tunnel in McArthur, Ohio, holds a dark past, steeped in local legend and tragedy. Once a bustling hub for mining families and railroad workers in the 1800s, Moonville's population never exceeded 100 residents. The lack of proper roads leading to the town, coupled with treacherous trestles over Raccoon Creek, contributed to numerous fatalities. Many lost their lives falling from the trestles, or in head-on train collisions. "More than twenty people reportedly died," states the video's narrator. Today, the area is accessible via a ten-mile rail trail, a safer alternative to the ominous old tracks. Local legends persist, with stories of a ghostly brakeman carrying a lantern and the spirit of the town bully, Baldy Keaton, watching visitors from above. While the tales may be exaggerated, the history of the Moonville Tunnel serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era and the dangers faced by those who lived and worked there. The transformation of the old rail line into a trail offers a chance to explore the area's history without the same risks.