It’s fairly common for universities and government agencies to have a network of steam pipes (such as the ones that feed the state government buildings), and NCSU is no exception.

I’ve heard about them off and on over the years, and have always been intrigued by the thought of a subterranean network of secret tunnels, rooms, and machinery hidden below the surface.

Despite the number of words left on walls in the photos here, most of the network consists of nondescript pipes and passageways connecting various parts of campus.

There are several stenciled works denoting various groups that have traveled here over the past few decades. The earliest date I saw was 1985 as seen in the stenciled piece above, but I’ve been told there are some that date back to the 1950s.

I’d like to give credit and thanks to uliveandyouburn for showing me around this surreal and hidden network.

UPDATE: For more photos of the the Steam Tunnels, check out Part 2.