Park rangers also conduct educational tours and lectures, sharing information and history about both the bats and the tunnel itself. A more close-up view of the emergence is available at the lower viewing area, where the flapping of millions of bat wings often creates a breeze that wafts over the spectators below. The upper viewing area offers more of a panoramic view, the Hill Country creating a beautiful natural backdrop as the bats make their way out. The park features two viewing areas for the Bat Emergence. It's estimated that the colony here consumes over 25 tons of insects every night when you consider what the average moth weighs, that's a mind-boggling amount of pest control! Observers may catch a full “circle of life” experience during the Bat Emergence, as well natural predators such as red-tailed hawks and raccoons use this as feeding time, too, snacking on a bat or two as they come out. The gigantic number of bats all come out at once, shifting upward in a counterclockwise direction, creating an undulating, dark curtain that fills the sunset sky. ![]() The state parks division took over the management of the area, and it officially became Old Tunnel State Park in 2012.īetween late spring and early fall, the bats fly out of the tunnel to feed the park calls this the Bat Emergence. The 16 acres surrounding the tunnel were purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1991, for the express purpose of protecting the bat colony. Just to mix things up, 3,000 cave myotis bats have joined the colony, too. Mexican free-tailed bats began to gather at the tunnel, until their numbers grew to over three million, and these days they call it home between May and October. The human inhabitants in the region had no use for it, but there were critters who came along who found it a perfect place to settle. Cain City became a ghost town, and the path where the tracks ran was eventually overtaken by natural growth.Īs the years passed, the only remaining sign that the Fredericksburg and Northern had ever existed was its tunnel. As a result, the line was abandoned in 1942, and the track was scrapped. This ballooned the cost of construction, and over the years the profits from the line's operation were unable to overcome this debt. During its construction, it was eventually discovered that a tunnel would need to be built in order to cross a steep change in elevation and challenging terrain. The rail line's history of operations was troubled from the beginning, however. The Fredericksburg and Northern operated for almost 30 years at one point, a tiny village called Cain City was founded as a stop between Fredericksburg and San Antonio. Numerous delays created by both surveying and drumming up money for the line stalled its construction for several years, but in 1913 it opened as the San Antonio, Fredericksburg, and Northern Railway (the name of the railway was changed to the Fredericksburg and Northern Railway in 1917). Once the dust had settled after the Civil War, city officials and business owners in the growing town of Fredericksburg wanted to establish a rail line between them and the larger city of San Antonio. The Lone Star State played its part in the growth of the railroads, and Old Tunnel State Park stands as a reminder of that chapter of our nation's history. The landscape changed as ribbons of steel made their way through the countryside, crossing rivers, mountains, valleys, and terrain of all kinds. ![]() The advent of the railroad system redefined how Americans transported themselves and important supplies and commodities across this huge nation, starting in the early 1800s. Commerce and cargo used to pass through this railroad tunnel, but it's now home to some fascinating winged tenants. The park is a prime example of the blending of human and natural history, and offers an opportunity to visitors to see a unique and breathtaking natural display. ![]() Midway between Fredericksburg and Comfort in the Texas Hill Country, you'll find Old Tunnel State Park.
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