The OES visited the Blood Bowl and Gates of Hell on September 5, 2005. This underground landmark is a drainage tunnel that runs beneath High Street, carrying a stream from Glen Echo Park to the Olentangy River. The creek bed is dry most of the time, except after rain. The area is known as Blood Bowl in connection with the legend that a skateboarder died (or was murdered) on the concrete in front of the tunnel. More likely, it is due to the number of skateboarders who have taken nasty spills from the steep concrete walls. The Gates of Hell is actually a large steel cage built in front of the tunnel to ensure no large debris becomes lodged inside. The interior of the drain includes two bends, and when standing at the center, little to no light can be seen. Graffiti, including a creepy shadow figure, is plastered on almost every square inch of concrete inside the tunnel. Blood Bowl and the Gates of Hell will most likely continue to be an underground landmark for years to come.
Location Information: Active Drain
The Blood Bowl / Gates of Hell are located in a ravine behind the Tim Hortons at 2754 North High Street in Columbus; Franklin County.
Photographs
Welcome to the Blood Bowl and Gates of Hell.
This large gate served as the entry to the Blood Bowl.
The Gates of Hell can be seen a little further downstream.
Looking at the Blood Bowl from the Gates of Hell.
These are the Gates of Hell.
You can easily enter the gates through the opening on the left.
The roof of the Gates of Hell.
The northern entry to the drainage tunnel.
Graffiti could be seen as far as we could see from the entrance.
Inside the tunnel looking out to the Gates of Hell.
Walking into the tunnel.
There was a tiny amount of water at the center of the tunnel.
Continuing into the tunnel.
The tunnel was full with decades worth of graffiti.
Going into the tunnel's first bend.
This little fella was pretty cool looking.
The view from the first bend looking back toward the tunnel's entry.
Walking into the section of tunnel between the bends.
Approaching the second bend.
A spooky shadow person spraypainted on the wall of the second bend.
Looking from the second bend, back toward the first bend.
After the bend, the tunnel took a different shape.
This section of the tunnel was much older, when High Street was narrower.
We weren't sure where this pipe came from. Perhaps the street drains above?
Another look at the older section of tunnel, made from sandstone blocks.
This was the view on the other side of the tunnel...quite different from the Blood Bowl side!
A neat-looking rock formation just outside of the tunnel's mouth.
A small pool of water inside the rock formation.
There was a sewer entrance on the embankment.
The tunnel's entry from the southern side of the tunnel.
