The Greenwood Tunnel They Tried to Stop | BC History

Along the Crowsnest Highway near Greenwood, British Columbia, stands the remains of a small tunnel with a surprisingly big story. Built in 1913, the Greenwood tunnel was constructed beneath the Columbia & Western Railway, a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway line as automobiles began appearing on the roads of Boundary Country. But even before it was completed, the tunnel was already creating controversy. Concerns were raised about its narrow design, limited visibility and whether it would be safe for the increasing number of automobiles travelling through Greenwood. What looks like a simple concrete tunnel today was once the subject of a very public debate about transportation and safety. For decades, vehicles travelled through this tunnel beneath the railway tracks above. As traffic increased and vehicles became larger, the little 1913 tunnel could no longer meet the needs of the highway. In the early 1960s, plans were made for a much larger underpass, and the new Greenwood highway tunnels opened to traffic in 1964. The original tunnel was left behind — but more than a century after it was built, much of it is still standing. Today, motorists travelling Highway 3 can see this unusual piece of Greenwood history right beside the road, although many may have no idea of the story behind it. In this episode of Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales, we explore the history of the 1913 Greenwood Tunnel, the controversy that surrounded its construction, its connection to the Canadian Pacific Railway, and how this small crossing became part of the changing story of transportation in British Columbia. It’s a reminder that sometimes you don't have to venture far from the highway to find a fascinating piece of history. ARCHIVAL PHOTO CREDITS BC Archives Greenwood Museum Boundary Museum and Archives DRONE FOOTAGE Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales STORY / HISTORICAL REFERENCE The Stories From Boundary Creek Author: Al Donnelly If you enjoy British Columbia history, historic railways, forgotten places, ghost towns, mining communities and the stories behind the places we pass every day, subscribe to Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales. Lost places. Hidden trails. Real stories. #greenwoodbc #boundarycountry #bchistory #britishcolumbiahistory #greenwoodtunnel #railwayhistory #canadianpacificrailway #cpr #crowsnesthighway #highway3 #historictunnel #transportationhistory #forgottenhistory #explorebc #boundarybc #canadianhistory #historicroads #tracksandtrails Now streaming on: 🎥 YouTube – full video episodes & highlights 🎙 Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio & Apple Podcasts – audio episodes on the go. 📍 What to expect: Ghost towns like Phoenix, Sandon & Greenwood The historic Kettle Valley Railway Abandoned mines, smelters & pioneer trails Outdoor adventure: camping, hiking & exploring BC’s backroads 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell 🔔 to join us on every journey into the past. Stay Curious. Stay Adventurous. Tracks, Trails & Forgotten Tales. ☕ Support and help FUEL the adventure and help us keep exploring! Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exploringdirt PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/exploringdirt 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Canadian adventures, abandoned places, and off-the-beaten-path stories. #trackstrailsandtales #exploringdirt #ghosttowns #bchistory #abandonedmines #explorebc #adventurepodcast