underground

The Ghosts Below Our Feet: 
A History Through The London Underground’s Grim Past

The worlds first underground railway recently celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. The Times first described the idea of running trains underneath the street of London as an ‘insult to common sense.’ The London Underground opened in 1863. The first line, the Metropolitan Railway served six stations from Paddington to Farringdon. Currently the Underground stretches 402 kilometers, serving 270 stations across 11 lines. Nicknamed “the Tube,” the London Underground not only helps billions of locals and tourists get to their destinations, but it has also become a part of popular culture as its iconic brand has become a global symbol for London. During the daily rush, millions of commuters stare into vacant space waiting for the train to arrive at their stop. Few think back through the history of London and the London Underground and realize just how much of London's modern history it has seen. Since its creation, this incredible feat of British transportation engineering has undergone much change, relocating stations or leaving them abandoned, and has left behind a wake of corpses which makes up its dark history and reputation of hauntings. Through its grim and violent history, the London Underground’s hauntings make up a living timeline of deaths as the lives of those lost still linger within its vast tunnel system.

One of the most difficult challenges faced while building and renovating the London Underground was avoiding London’s plague pits. A plague pit is another name for mass graves used for the victims of the Bubonic Plague which swept across London in the 17th century, killing much of the country’s population. The majority of pla...

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...red more than 700 more. The bombing was caused by Muslim extremists. Those who could walk made their way through the dark tunnels to reach ground level. In such recent history there is little talk about ghosts that may be connected with the 7/7 London Bombings. In years to come, the stories will surely begin.

Through these tragic stories, we can only just begin to see how linked the London Underground is to London’s modern history. The London Underground has a bright future and will be in use for many decades and generations to come. As the Tube continues to expand so will its history. Most historic buildings or sites become just that, historic. The Underground however will continue to grow and collect pieces of history just as a timeline would. With such a vast attachment to London’s history, the Underground’s dark past only covers a minuscule portion.