Morgan Huber
South-central Pennsylvania is well known for its rich history, exemplified by our landmarks and structures that have been preserved through time. As one walks past the former banks, schools, and parks in the towns and cities we know and love, it may be easy to forget how much has truly happened there. When we fail to maintain and appreciate these buildings and landmarks, they are often forgotten by the always-rushing eyes of humans, breaking down and welcoming nature into their walls until the Earth finally reclaims them.
One of the best-kept secrets and urban legends on – or in this case under – Millersville University’s campus are the tunnels. A topic of fascination among the local community, few have managed to confirm their existence, let alone explore their sprawling concrete corridors. Members of the Snapper staff and the university communications team, however, were able to get an exclusive tour and live to tell the tale.
Located under the walkways on the north side of campus, the underground tunnels were constructed in 1924, making them a century old this year. Initially spanning over 430 feet, the tunnels ran from under what was then known as Old Main to the Library, the Industrial Arts building, and later Wickersham Hall and the boiler room, with these sites now home to the McNairy Library, the President’s Office, the Dilworth Building, the math building, and the police department, respectively. Today, only the underground passage connecting Dilworth to the Old Library remains.
These “secret” tunnels, being among the oldest structures at Millersville University, are a testament to the history of technology.
“Electricity did not exist at the time, with buildings instead relying on steam to supply heat,” explained Patrick Weidinger, a retired safety director of MU. “Prior to constructing the Boyer Center, which was originally the school’s boiler room, Old Main had to use fireplaces to keep people warm. These tunnels made it easier to transport steam from one end of campus to the other.”
Over the years, smaller pipes were installed within the tunnels to make passage easier for engineers and, occasionally, students. When Millersville had a rifle club on campus, for instance, students would use the passages as a shooting range for practices. For safety concerns and also due to the rifle team no longer existing, this practice eventually ceased. Students and faculty have also speculated that the tunnels were at one point used to host parties or sorority initiation ceremonies, however, these rumors are unfounded. Nonetheless, they make for hot gossip within the community.
As technology evolved, so did the tunnels and their use. In 1991, all asbestos was removed from the passageways due to the presence of the highly toxic chemical. When the current library was remodeled in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the tunnels connecting the former site of Old Main to the rest of the original campus were sealed off.
Today, the tunnels are closed to the public but still in use to store electrical wiring and circulate them throughout the campus. Besides that, however, the underground passageways feel like catacombs in another world. The dimly lit corridors, their walls lined with pipes and wiring, sit idly under the otherwise green and vibrant campus, an echo of silence in contrast to the life above it. The floors, rarely treated, collect dust and thick mud.
One end of the tunnel can be accessed through the basement of the President’s Office, in itself a beautiful testament to the history of Pennsylvania’s first school for teachers. The intricate mahogany wood, now a rare find, remains an accent of the former library offices. What used to be a darkroom for the campus photographer now lays empty, gathering dust. The oldest bathroom on campus sits there as well, idly and ominously. Due to the tripping hazard of the thick pipes, the tunnel on this side is only safely walkable for a short distance. Nonetheless, a glimpse into the tunnels and their history tell much about how far our university has come, and the stories that lie within its walls.
When asked about opening the tunnels to the public or providing guided tours to members of the community, Thomas Waltz, the Associate Vice President of Facilities Management, expressed his doubts.
“There are a lot of safety concerns with letting just anyone explore the tunnels,” Waltz explained. “Besides, if we permitted guided tours, the numbers would likely be overwhelming and take up much of our day if people had to contact us to request them.”
Despite the fact that readers cannot access these underground tunnels, they remain a source of intrigue for those in the community, and hopefully will start a conversation on Millersville’s history and preserving its structures and artifacts. Pieces of our past always tell a story, and the secret tunnels – which are officially no longer a secret – are no exception.
