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Structure, Port Huron, since 1889

St. Clair River Tunnel

Still standing, photographed 2017

The St. Clair Tunnel west end, from Port Huron, Michigan, 2017 Photo: TomCat4680, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1889
Standing
137 years

St. Clair River Tunnel has stood on St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia in Port Huron since 1889, 137 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of St. Clair River Tunnel

Engine, locomotive, 1500 h.p., Ste, 1900 Photo: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Postcard of the west end St. Clair River Tunnel in Port Huron, Michigan, United States, 1907 Photo: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A picture of the unique primary shield of Ontario Provincial Highway 402.This picture is intended for description and..., 2006 Photo: Myself, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Standing

We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.

The story

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

In 1889, in the decades its town grew around the railroad and the mill, St. Clair River Tunnel opened in Port Huron.

It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Next time you are nearby, stop at St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario and look up.

The St. Clair Tunnel is the name for two separate rail tunnels which were built under the St. Clair River between Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Timeline

  1. 1889 Built
  2. 1970 Listed on the National Register October 15, 1970
  3. 2026 Today 137 years and still standing

Where it is

St. Clair River between Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario, Port Huron

On this map

  1. St. Clair River Tunnel This place
  2. USCGC Bramble 0.8 mi
  3. Wilbur F. Davidson House 0.9 mi

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

Around the block

Photo credits

Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.

  1. The St. Clair Tunnel west end, from Port Huron, Michigan, 2017 Photo: TomCat4680, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Engine, locomotive, 1500 h.p., Ste, 1900 Photo: Detroit Publishing Co. , copyright claimant, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Postcard of the west end St. Clair River Tunnel in Port Huron, Michigan, United States, 1907 Photo: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. A picture of the unique primary shield of Ontario Provincial Highway 402.This picture is intended for description and..., 2006 Photo: Myself, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sources

Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.