As a first-year at Wheaton, I’m not nearly as familiar with this campus as I would like to be yet. Even in the second half of this spring semester, I’ll find a beautiful walkway, a plaque I haven’t read, or a quiet study spot that immediately has me kicking myself and questioning “Why didn’t I find this sooner?” On a random Sunday night, the unexpected discovery took the form of a mysterious door on the first floor of Clark Hall. A sophomore friend of mine had challenged me to go through it, claiming that behind it was something I wouldn’t expect. I’m usually not one to turn down a challenge, so I went beyond the door, and I did find something remarkable.
A dark and quiet tunnel is the first sight that greets anyone who opens the mysterious Clark door. Flipping a light switch will show that the other end of the tunnel connects to a door that has “Young” written on it. The corridor branches to a third hallway, a door that says “McIntire.” Throughout the tunnels are unused bed frames and chairs, presumably from rooms that no longer need them, and rolling trash cans likely used by janitorial staff. I was so intrigued by the fact that YMC was connected underground. All this time I had walked between the three dorms, while there were janitors below me?
I brought my findings to The Wheaton Wire during a meeting, describing dorms that connect to tunnels, but much of the veteran Wire staff laughed and simply said “Everyone’s been in the tunnels at Wheaton.” However, as I explained further their intrigue was piqued, as they had talked about how the YMC tunnels in particular have rarely been seen by students. I returned another night and took photos, exploring each corridor until I was met with a dead end or locked door.
Wheaton College opened in 1834 as a female seminary. One hundred ninety years later and it seems its mystique may never wear away. My absolute favorite thing about going to such a historic school is learning about the generations of students before us. I’ll sit at the desks at the very back of the stacks and see writings on the wall from bored students in the past. Their messages remain, and often their past disinterest steals me away from my own classwork.
We live on such a unique campus and have so much history to explore, which probably isn’t used as a selling point by Wheaton College Admissions. Those groups of high schoolers on campus tours passing by when we’re headed to class most certainly don’t stop at the tunnels below YMC. Yet here we are as Wheaton students, with our intriguing campus stories, able to explore Wheaton’s roots and even go through doors we shouldn’t.
Any time you ever hear someone say “There’s nothing to do in Norton,” before you tell them they’re correct I implore you to invite them to explore. There’s a shocking amount to see below the surface.