Richmond commemorates 100 years since deadly Church Hill Tunnel collapse

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Community members gathered Thursday evening to honor the lives lost in the Church Hill Tunnel collapse, a century after the tragedy.

The Church Hill Tunnel in Richmond. (Photo: 8News)

On Oct. 2, 1925, hundreds of workers were repairing a section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad tunnel when it collapsed during repairs. The train engine, 10 flat cars and 4 people were trapped inside.

Benjamin Mosby, who was a firefighter, escaped from the rubble but died later that day from his injuries. The body of train engineer, Thomas Mason was recovered.

Two laborers, Richard Lewis and H. Smith were never recovered and remain entombed beneath the tunnel. The west entrance of the Church Hill Tunnel now sits, sealed off.

Memorials for those lost in the Church Hill tunnel collapse. This one is for Benjamin F. Mosby, a firefighter (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)

Memorials for those lost in the Church Hill tunnel collapse. This one is for Thomas J. Mason, an engineer. (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)

Memorials for those lost in the Church Hill tunnel collapse. This one is for Richard Lewis, a laborer. (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)

Dozens of residents gathered at Jefferson Park for a memorial ceremony organized by the Friends of Jefferson Park and the Church Hill Association. The event included a guided tour along the tunnel path and remarks from community members dedicated to keeping the history alive.

“Black laborers were left in the tunnel and they’re still there today," one speaker said. "We couldn’t talk about that before. At least today we can."

Neighbors said the turnout served as a sign of unity.

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“I was so happy to see so many people,” said Church Hill resident Gwen Fitzgerald. “My hope is that we remember that spirit and that we have unity all the time.”

As the community reflected on the past, many also recognized the sacrifices made for the future of transportation. 

“The tunnel is a perfect example of at least four people who gave their lives for something that we still benefit from today,” said filmmaker Ryan Pace.

While there has been discussions to recover the train and the workers' remains, many believe the effort would cause the tunnel to collapse further. 

In addition to its history, the site is also known for reports of paranormal activity, with some residents claiming train whistles can still be heard near the tunnel.