Asheville’s Mysterious Tunnels

The Answer Man, John Boyle, of the Asheville Citizen-Times was recently asked about the many rumored tunnels in Asheville.

Question: The underground tunnel/subway system — Does it exist, or is any part of it accessible anywhere? I found this link on a recent WAX string:http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/books/nolen/jpg/nolen_page028.jpg

Are there any existing accessible tunnels anywhere? Any photos? I assume the subway was never built but have heard the rumors of speakeasy tunnels connecting downtown. Some allegedly connect to Pack’s Tavern and the Masonic Temple. I helped renovate the building where Jimmy John’s is downtown a few years ago when the basement was the Red Room dance club. During the basement remodel we found a doorway behind some plaster while working on the foundation. The doorway would have led directly under the street (Biltmore avenue). Behind the doorway was bricked up, and was covered back up. Is there a tunnel under Biltmore Avenue?

Read the response that Asheville by Foot founder, Kevan Frazier, helped Boyle put together.