Dungeon Rock in Lynn: the pirate tale, the Marbles’ tunnel and how to visit
The legend of Thomas Veale, land bought by Hiram Marble in 1852, a long hand‑dug tunnel and practical tips for reaching the sealed iron door in Lynn Woods.
For more than three centuries, people have told the story of a pirate who hid his treasure in a cave in what is now Lynn Woods. At Dungeon Rock, that legend led one family to dig a tunnel into solid rock for nearly 30 years. Here is the story and how to visit.
Our Lynn Woods guide covers trails, parking and the Stone Tower.
The pirate story tied to the rock
Local tradition links a 17th‑century sailor named Thomas Veale (sometimes spelled Veal) to a cave and a large boulder called Dungeon Rock. WGBH describes the tale as a long‑standing part of the site’s identity, with the pirate said to have hidden treasure in or near the cave.
Hiram Marble bought the site and began digging
A Marble family record shows Hiram Marble purchased the Dungeon Rock property and surrounding land in Lynn in 1852.
Séances, a long tunnel and Edwin Marble’s years of work
Historical accounts state Hiram held séances at Dungeon Rock and started an excavation into the rock. His son Edwin carried on the project and extended the tunnel through decades of effort.
Records say Edwin continued digging into the late 1870s and died in January 1880 after years devoted to the site.
Edwin Marble’s grave by the cave
Arnoldia reports that Edwin Marble was buried at Dungeon Rock close to the cave entrance. A substantial boulder marks the grave, and fragments from the excavation remain scattered nearby.
What the city and park guides say about the site
The City of Lynn describes Dungeon Rock as a well‑known underground tunnel within Lynn Woods Reservation with a long history of pirate stories and treasure hunting.
The city’s official Lynn Woods guide names the Pennybrook Road (Walnut Street) entrance as the main (west) access and gives directions to the park house at that entrance.
Getting there: trails, the iron door and opening times
The Pennybrook Road/Walnut Street parking area is the easiest public access, and marked trails from that lot lead toward Dungeon Rock.
A heavy cast‑iron door seals the tunnel entrance; local reporting notes that the door is opened only during limited hours or by park staff and rangers, not kept unlocked.
Dungeon Rock is open to the public from May 1 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, according to the Friends of Lynn Woods; the schedule can change week to week. Stone Tower keeps the same hours. For the weekly schedule, tours or closures, contact the Lynn Woods ranger at mmarshall@lynnwatersewer.org.
Before you go
Plan to park at Pennybrook Road and follow the marked trails; the park house at that entrance is the closest public point for Dungeon Rock, per the city guide.
Bring a flashlight if you plan to look near the tunnel opening, and expect the iron door to be closed outside staffed hours. Contact the Lynn Woods ranger (email above) to confirm the current schedule or arrange a visit.
Check the events calendar for ranger-led programs or special openings before you go. For more local history, read about the Great Lynn Fire of 1889 or take a walk through Pine Grove Cemetery.
Sources: Friends of Lynn Woods; WGBH; Marble family record (Middlesex/Marble family archive); History of Massachusetts; Arnoldia; City of Lynn — Lynn Woods page; City of Lynn — Lynn Woods area information (official PDF); Boston Magazine (park guide) — Dungeon Rock entry description; RideWithGPS.
