From a secret underground tunnel system, to our very own vengeful Native American ghosts, to a wish-granting ancient predator, the University of Wyoming is host to a number of surprising and humorous urban legends.
The university has a large and interconnected system of steam tunnels, which have long captivated the imagination of students trudging through the campus’ frozen tundra in order to reach class. Many students believe that the steam tunnels are repurposed underground network to the whole of campus, which would provide a warm and convenient way to get to class.
“I’ve heard that the reason we can’t use them is because some type of violent crime was perpetrated down there,” microbiology junior Sara Mark said, “I’ve heard they can’t open them for our use because of security reasons.”
Unfortunately, for students looking for an easier way to access the classroom building without having to brave the harsh Wyoming winter, according to the University’s Physical Plant, the tunnels are nothing but small spaces for pipes and wiring to make their way to the buildings on campus.
“They’re basically just a maintenance service tunnel,” Plumbing Shop manager Harry Schlegel said. “Some are fairly accessible, while some you have to turn sideways to get through.”
Despite the difficulty of access, some have found their way into the tunnel system. Last fall at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house, the members found a man who had made his way in there.
“Someone was in there and we had to call the cops,” education senior and SAE member Clay Anderson said.
Schlegel said that this event was not usual and warns would be adventurers:
“The tunnel hatches are not open to every building,” Schlegel said, “In some areas its probably about 110 degrees, and if you brush up on a steam line, you’re going to get burned.”
For Scott Royce, former student and Deputy Director of Facilities Service, this rumor is particularly humorous;
“This rumor has been going around since ’74,” Royce said, “The rumor was at the time that they shut down the tunnels because of ROUS.”
ROUS refers to the movie “The Princess Bride”, which featured “Rodents Of Unusual Size.”
Knight Hall is home to various bureaucratic entities, and, according to hauntedplaces.org, a myriad of other websites, various paranormal events. These paranormal websites state that the building was built on top of an old cemetery, and the ghosts of Indians and pioneers haunt the offices. Reports range from spooky sounds to apparitions of small Native American children.
“I’m not aware of any Native American burials in and around present-day Laramie,” Wyoming History professor Roberts said.
According to Wyoming History professor Phillip Roberts, nearly every aspect of the myth is incorrect. Roberts said that the location of the cemetery was actually under Old Main, rather than Knight Hall. Some of the confusion could stem a curious incident in 2004:
“Back in the summer of 2004, a body in a coffin was uncovered in the alleyway between Hoyt and Knight Hall of a man who apparently was buried there in the early days,” said Roberts, “Whether he was buried there because the boundaries of the cemetery weren’t very well marked or if he was buried ‘outside sacred ground’ wasn’t determined from what I remember.”
One of the less ominous myths that the university possesses concerns no rodents of unusual size or Indian burial grounds, but rather magical pinecones. This tradition revolves around students attempting to hurl pinecones into the gaping maw of the Tyrannosaurus located outside of the university’s geological museum. Students believe that successfully lodging a pinecone into the serrated jaws of the ancient predator will result in A-level grades on their finals. This curious activity is not a new phenomenon:
“Its been going on for upwards of thirty years,” Geological Museum docent Misty Wood said.
According to Wood, the dinosaur was constructed by faculty member S.H. Knight and placed in its current location over 50 years ago. Despite the age of the tradition, some students don’t believe that whatever level of cosmic influence the dinosaur may have is necessary to influence their finals performance.
“I don’t need luck,” criminal justice sophomore Erik Pike said, “I’ve got skill.”
Despite having no vicious rodents or vengeful Indian spirits, it’s likely these myths will continue in the hearts and minds of the students of the university.
