There is a tunnel in Nashville on Thompson Lane. In researching this blog, I found that the name of the tunnel is Hicks-Ellis Tunnel.
The trains from the nearby yards would go over the tunnel.
I remember when I rode with my great-grandfather he would honk when he would go through a tunnel. It probably was this tunnel because I don’t know of many in the Nashville area.
I used to think it was so fun to hear him honk the horn.
Why Do People Honk the Horn in Tunnels?
According to the article above
“According to an official with the Traffic Training Center, most tunnels, bridges and mountain cuts back in the day were only a single lane. So during those times, honking your horn was encouraged by law to avoid the occurrence of two vehicles suddenly facing off inside a dark tunnel around a mountain curve. “
I also read that it was done to ward off evil spirits, to hear the echoes, to let people know you were there because there were no lights or headlights on the car or because of tradition.
I think my Grandad did it originally because of the single lane, dark tunnel theory.
The Echoes of Love
He continued doing it because his grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) got a kick out of it. He’s been gone a long time now, but I think of him when I see a tunnel or hear people honking.
If I am with someone driving through that tunnel, (or any tunnel) I tell them they have to honk. Depends on who I am with as to whether they honk or not. Generally, if there aren’t a lot of cars, they will honk. If it is full of cars, forget it.
Mom will say “Honk for Grandad!!” and honk the horn.
I always honk in the tunnel. I don’t care how full it is. I’m honking out of love and to tell my Grandad “Hello”. I hope he hears me honking and it makes him smile.
You made me smile ! When I was a little girl my grandmother honked when we went through the Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile AL. Now when I cross under the Mobile river, I use the more modern George Wallace Tunnel. I don’t honk unless my grandsons are with me because of the traffic, but always remember how fun it was to honk and hear the reverberating sound.