After I left Winterset City Park I went to Pammel State Park. Which is a little south of Winterset. I sought out this park because I wanted to photograph Harmon Tunnel. Harmon Tunnel would not be exotic to most people, but in the Cyclone State, it is singular. Unique. The only one of its kind.
Here are words about it from the Madison County Park website:
The only highway tunnel in Iowa, greets all visitors entering the park. The tunnel pierces the base of the limestone backbone and provides access to the remainder of the park facilities. Historical Note: In 1858 the tunnel was originally dug by William Harmon and his sons as a small chute to carry water diverted from Middle River to power a saw mill that was eventually converted to a grist mill. The mill was abandoned in 1904 and the tunnel expanded in size to allow vehicle traffic in 1925. The tunnel has since been expanded and reinforced to accommodate modern vehicles.
Here are photos:
Being from Boone, I’m not a stranger to driving through water on roads. Ledges has several of these. McHose used to have them before they closed down the backside road decades ago. But the one at Pammel State Park is a little different. It is much longer and it is the only way to cross from what part of the park to the other. Probably a blast to drive through fast. Hypothetically. Of course.
Still one last collection of pictures to share from this November road trip!