The Swannanoa Tunnel transformed the Blue Ridge Mountains. This 1,832-foot tunnel is the longest in a complex of six tunnels completed between 1875 and 1879, and the railroad that goes through them connected the mountain’s primeval forests to the Atlantic seaboard. The Western North Carolina Railroad (WNCR), used mostly Black people on its construction crews. Those workers labored at gunpoint. This was their song. Asheville Junction, Swannanoa Tunnel, All caved in, babe. All caved in. Within a d
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The Swannanoa Tunnel transformed the Blue Ridge Mountains. This 1,832-foot tunnel is the longest in a complex of six tunnels completed between 1875 and 1879, and the railroad that goes through them connected the mountain’s primeval forests to the Atlantic seaboard. The Western North Carolina Railroad (WNCR), used mostly Black people on its construction crews. Those workers labored at gunpoint. This was their song. Asheville Junction, Swannanoa Tunnel, All caved in, babe. All caved in. Within a d
10.1K viewsAug 5, 2020
FacebookThe Bitter Southerner
Swannanoa Tunnel | My Music with Rhiannon Giddens
Swannanoa Tunnel | My Music with Rhiannon Giddens
Feb 8, 2025
thirteen.org
SILKROAD | The Story of "Swannanoa Tunnel"
14:59
SILKROAD | The Story of "Swannanoa Tunnel"
5.6K viewsNov 18, 2024
YouTubeSILKROAD
The Appalachian folk song “Swannanoa Tunnel” is a cornerstone of Silkroad's American Railroad project. Born out of the work of unpaid and mistreated Black convict railroad workers, its origins have been largely lost as it became known as a white bluegrass standard. While filming season 2 of #MyMusicPBS, we took a deeper look into the story of “Swannanoa Tunnel,” from its origins to its erasure to its inclusion on the American Railroad tour. Watch the full video on Silkroad’s YouTube channel or a
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The Appalachian folk song “Swannanoa Tunnel” is a cornerstone of Silkroad's American Railroad project. Born out of the work of unpaid and mistreated Black convict railroad workers, its origins have been largely lost as it became known as a white bluegrass standard. While filming season 2 of #MyMusicPBS, we took a deeper look into the story of “Swannanoa Tunnel,” from its origins to its erasure to its inclusion on the American Railroad tour. Watch the full video on Silkroad’s YouTube channel or a
63.2K viewsNov 18, 2024
FacebookRhiannon Giddens
Honoring the past and present of Swannanoa, NC. American Railroad carries the voices of those who built the Swannanoa Tunnel—stories of resilience and sacrifice that are all the more poignant now, as the Swannanoa community faces the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Please join us in supporting relief efforts for those affected. Visit the link in our bio for ways to help. (please add a couple of links from below to linktree) 📍 Howard Gilman Opera House 📅 Nov 23 🎟️ Link in bio for tickets Appa
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Honoring the past and present of Swannanoa, NC. American Railroad carries the voices of those who built the Swannanoa Tunnel—stories of resilience and sacrifice that are all the more poignant now, as the Swannanoa community faces the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Please join us in supporting relief efforts for those affected. Visit the link in our bio for ways to help. (please add a couple of links from below to linktree) 📍 Howard Gilman Opera House 📅 Nov 23 🎟️ Link in bio for tickets Appa
4.4K viewsNov 15, 2024
FacebookBAM
“Swannanoa Tunnel / Steel-Driving Man” is out today – the first single off the upcoming album ‘American Railroad’ with the Silkroad Ensemble. The song was written by wrongfully imprisoned Black men and women who unwillingly risked their lives building the Swannanoa Tunnel in North Carolina. Hundreds of them died, and many of them were buried along the very tracks they built. It serves as a tribute to them, along with “Steel-Driving Man,” a rendition of the popular traditional tune “John Henry,”
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“Swannanoa Tunnel / Steel-Driving Man” is out today – the first single off the upcoming album ‘American Railroad’ with the Silkroad Ensemble. The song was written by wrongfully imprisoned Black men and women who unwillingly risked their lives building the Swannanoa Tunnel in North Carolina. Hundreds of them died, and many of them were buried along the very tracks they built. It serves as a tribute to them, along with “Steel-Driving Man,” a rendition of the popular traditional tune “John Henry,”
1.7K viewsOct 1, 2024
FacebookSilkroad
Swannanoa: Deconstructing an American Palace - Sometimes Interesting
Swannanoa: Deconstructing an American Palace - Sometimes Interesting
Jan 19, 2021
sometimes-interesting.com
Swannanoa River Greenway - The City of Asheville
Swannanoa River Greenway - The City of Asheville
Feb 4, 2025
ashevillenc.gov
Recovery planning begins for Swannanoa after Helene devastation
2:30
Recovery planning begins for Swannanoa after Helene devastation
Feb 18, 2025
wlos.com
"Swannanoa Tunnel" Traditional Banjo Lesson
8:33
"Swannanoa Tunnel" Traditional Banjo Lesson
7.1K viewsOct 22, 2020
YouTubeClifton Hicks
Swannanoa Tunnel
3:21
Swannanoa Tunnel
1.6K viewsMay 30, 2015
YouTubePaul Clayton - Topic
Swannanoa Tunnel
3:00
Swannanoa Tunnel
1.1K viewsNov 8, 2014
YouTubeBascom Lamar Lunsford - Topic
A tribute to those who died in the making of the Swannanoa Gap Tunnel
3:05
A tribute to those who died in the making of the Swannanoa Gap Tunnel
1.3K viewsDec 12, 2023
YouTubeAsheville
Aerial video along the Swannanoa River reveals the wrath of Tropical Storm Helene
1:56
Aerial video along the Swannanoa River reveals the wrath of Tropical Storm Helene
Nov 25, 2024
citizen-times.com
Bascom Lamar Lunsford - "Swannanoa Tunnel"
3:39
Bascom Lamar Lunsford - "Swannanoa Tunnel"
59.2K viewsFeb 13, 2010
YouTubejamesryanhalpenny
Resilience and recovery: Swannanoa Valley’s journey post-Helene
6:48
Resilience and recovery: Swannanoa Valley’s journey post-Helene
6 months ago
wspa.com
Clifton Hicks - Swannanoa Tunnel (Asheville Junction, The Pea Fowl, Nine Pound Hammer)
3:19
Clifton Hicks - Swannanoa Tunnel (Asheville Junction, The Pea Fowl, Nine Pound Hammer)
110.1K viewsSep 6, 2020
YouTubeClifton Hicks
Dom Flemons performing 'Swannanoa Tunnel'
2:24
Dom Flemons performing 'Swannanoa Tunnel'
Jan 26, 2016
BBC
Swannanoa Tunnel - Clawhammer Banjo
2:03
Swannanoa Tunnel - Clawhammer Banjo
2.5K viewsOct 29, 2021
YouTubeJelle Snelders
Swannanoa Tunnel (traditional) - Murphy Campbell
2:55
Swannanoa Tunnel (traditional) - Murphy Campbell
34.6K views9 months ago
YouTubeMurphy Campbell
Swannanoa bridge to reopen after Helene, restoring a vital connection
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Swannanoa bridge to reopen after Helene, restoring a vital connection
Feb 24, 2025
wlos.com
Swannanoa Tunnel
2:53
Swannanoa Tunnel
880 viewsFeb 21, 2015
YouTubeErik Darling - Topic
Hoyt Wayne Axton...Asheville Junction, Swannanoa Tunnel.wmv
2:54
Hoyt Wayne Axton...Asheville Junction, Swannanoa Tunnel.wmv
6.9K viewsOct 8, 2011
YouTubedansdotcom
Swannanoa Tunnel
3:55
Swannanoa Tunnel
376 viewsMay 8, 2020
YouTubeAlexander's Timeless Bloozband - Topic
North Carolina mayor searches for the dead in the Swannanoa Tunnel's history
North Carolina mayor searches for the dead in the Swannanoa Tunnel's history
Jul 10, 2024
spectrumlocalnews.com
Bridge re-opening brings hope back to Swannanoa 5 months after Helene
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Bridge re-opening brings hope back to Swannanoa 5 months after Helene
Feb 26, 2025
foxcarolina.com
A section of the swannanoa is getting some help with invasive species.
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A section of the swannanoa is getting some help with invasive species.
Oct 25, 2017
wlos.com
Swannanoa River Road remains with no timeline to reopening, debris pickup yet to begin
1:59
Swannanoa River Road remains with no timeline to reopening, debris pickup yet to begin
Dec 5, 2024
wlos.com
Swannanoa River Road to reopen, paving way for antique tobacco barn's revival after Helene
Swannanoa River Road to reopen, paving way for antique tobacco barn's revival after Helene
Apr 3, 2025
wlos.com
Watch: Unfathomable destruction found in Swannanoa, North Carolina, following Helene
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Watch: Unfathomable destruction found in Swannanoa, North Carolina, following Helene
Oct 2, 2024
MSNFox Weather
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