Cumberland, Maryland - Haunted 18th Century Tunnels

Beneath Emmanuel Episcopal Church lie earthwork tunnels, remains of the original 1754 Fort Cumberland. For the last two weekends in October, the passages are open to the public, transformed into haunted tunnels. How often are you threatened by creeps and ghouls in a 250 year-old fort underneath a church?

During the French and Indian War, the tunnels allowed supplies and troops to be moved out of danger. The fort site and church sit atop a high hill overlooking the town, the Potomac River, and Will's Creek. Local legend (false) long claimed that one tunnel ran to the creek's edge so soldiers could get water without falling victim to Native fire.

It was from Fort Cumberland that Colonel George Washington and General Edward Braddock marched on French-held Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh, PA), a mission that ended in disastrous ambush and defeat. During the Civil War, the tunnels sheltered ex-slaves escaping via the C&O Canal on the Underground Railroad. [Ollie, 10/20/2009]