The Map
Click for a larger version. Red dots designate access points. Some are as simple as manhole covers. Most are large, above-ground concrete boxes with locked metal access hatches. The red lines indicate tunnel paths to the best of my recollection. The access points are all interconnected, I just don't remember exactly how. I built this map using the university's own virtual tour.

Overview
NIU's tunnel system is the only one I've explored, but I am convinced it must be pretty impressive as steam tunnel systems go. I don't know what could make it much cooler. The tunnles open into several buildings featuring cool machinery and crazy janitorial hangouts.

The entire system is divided in half by the Kishwaukee River. The older portions of tunnels revolving around Sven Parson Hall. The newest tunnels revolve around the dorms in the northwest corner of campus.

On average there's about 5 feet of width not taken up by pipe in the tunnels. Most are six feet tall. Near Artists' Alley there are even some nice clean round tunnels. Some areas under campus require crawling and much of it through gravel. Generally speaking, flooding is very minimal although some shallow standing water does exist.

This photo shows Gilbert Hall, just south of Artists' Alley, facing south. The arrow shows (barely) one of the concrete access boxes.

Entry can be gained by either lifting one of the few manhole covers near Sven Parson or by jimmying the large cement access boxes open. These boxes are usually vented on the side. To access them, I recommend the Broomstick Method of popping the lids.

Back to Top

Anderson Hall
This tunnel lets out in a janitorial storage area. You can take a peek, but be careful that no one is nearby. If you smell formaldehyde, it's because of the anatomy lab corpses they keep here.

Artists' Alley
Due to this tunnel's proximity to Jack Arends Hall (the Art Building) many adventurous young art students have practiced their art history know-how by creating replicas of the cave paintings of Lascaux.

Intercollegiate Athletics Field
This is by far your safest access point. It is loacted right next to a baseball diamond and across a field from "The Towers", the large dorm buildings on the west side of campus.

It had been some time since I'd been out there. It used to be a pretty good access, now it's even better. The University has done a lot of construction out this way and built a fence which covers your activity 180° to the southwest and there is enough foliage to cover you to the southeast. To the north is a large field, so you can see anyone coming your way. This access hatch requires the Broomstick Method. These tunnels will take you on a dizzying tour underneath the dorms.

Back to Top

Kishwaukee River
"The Kish" actually bisect the campus and thusly the underground tunnels. There is a bridge here which actually has an access hatch built into it.

Neptune Hall
There is one large maintenance room here which is a lot of fun to explore. There are also tunnels which lead to doorways at the bottom of stairwells in the dorm floors. This used to be a great way to exit without drawing any attention to yourself. However, if the other dorms are any indication, the actual residence hall exit to the outside may very well be fire alarmed.

Physical Plants
These are the buildings from which the tunnels originate. These building are staffed nearly constantly, so be careful.

Back to Top

Still Hall
A less reliable, although painfully easy, entry point is a downstairs classroom in Still Hall. There is a tiny door set just below the ceiling in this room which can be entered by staning on a desk or table and climbing up. You can find the room by following the path of the large set of stairs between Still Hall and Still Gym. The tunnel itself goes through this staircase and into Still Gym.

Sven Parson Hall
Here you will find one of the best access points. On the east side of the building there are two very old, thin manholes. Your best bet is to post a scout on the north side and the south side, make sure all is clear, and have a third person pop the lid, drop down and give a signal. This will allow you access to the entire east side of campus.

These tunnels head north and south but also detour into Sven Parson itself. We popped out in some sort of telephone storage closet. There is also a doorway that leads out underneath the east doors of the building. (see photo) This door would make for a quick and inconspicuous exit in a pinch.

The Broomstick Method
Take a full-length broomstick and force it through the vented side of one of the concrete access boxes. You may be able to shine a flashlight up the vent to guide you aim. The object is to stab at the door latch from underneath. The latch is about the size of the sole of your shoe.

The door is spring loaded, so if you get it right, you'll know it. The door will pop right open. There is a ladder leadin down. Watch out for spiders!

Hopefully my lame illustration will help.

Back to Top