Urban Exploring at ISU

**ornryactor** · 11-26-2008, 10:07 AM

This is one of the most entertaining (and pseudo-educational) thread CF has seen in years.

I'm assuming this is beyond the scope of access anyone here has ever had, but I've heard pretty substantial (and consistent) rumors that Gilman (or some part of that building-complex) goes much further underground than most people realize, and that most of those bottom levels are high-security controlled access. It's usually said that it's related to secret-ish research at the Ames Lab. Anyone know about a secret underground military super-lab underneath Gilman/Ames Lab?

**MidwestZest** · 11-26-2008, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

This is one of the most entertaining (and pseudo-educational) thread CF has seen in years.

as if CF has been around 10 years.....

**jaretac** · 11-26-2008, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

This is one of the most entertaining (and pseudo-educational) thread CF has seen in years.

I'm assuming this is beyond the scope of access anyone here has ever had, but I've heard pretty substantial (and consistent) rumors that Gilman (or some part of that building-complex) goes much further underground than most people realize, and that most of those bottom levels are high-security controlled access. It's usually said that it's related to secret-ish research at the Ames Lab. Anyone know about a secret underground military super-lab underneath Gilman/Ames Lab?

There are rooms in the basement of Gilman that are permanently sealed off due to radiation. I'm not sure where they are, but I was told that by the Ames Fire Captain that is in charge of Ames Hazmat.

**chriscyzer** · 11-26-2008, 10:31 AM

I just drove by the "Shrine" 10 minutes ago. I was going to go slow and take a pic with the phone but the guy was standing right there! He was in the ditch burning something. Old guy kinda skinny wearing a hooded sweatshirt under a coat. He turned and looked so I waved! ha ha.
I was surprised at how close to the road it actually was. Damn it I need to drive by again slower next time. I could tell that it needs a fresh paint job though.

**bos** · 11-26-2008, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by jaretac

There are rooms in the basement of Gilman that are permanently sealed off due to radiation. I'm not sure where they are, but I was told that by the Ames Fire Captain that is in charge of Ames Hazmat.

Wouldnt it be something to see whats in those rooms from the past. Its almost like a glowing time capsule. Nothing has been disturbed since sealed.

**Flag Guy** · 11-26-2008, 10:34 AM

I have my doubts about sub-basement laboratories... especially since Gilman was built in 1913 and the super secret projects didn't come until later (an addition was built in 1963)

History of Campus Buildings at Iowa State University

**bos** · 11-26-2008, 10:37 AM

Wow does it look lonely out there. A massive structure with nothing much around it.

**Flag Guy** · 11-26-2008, 10:39 AM

Interesting read regarding all of this

Ames Lab 60th - The 1940s

**keepngoal** · 11-26-2008, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

Interesting read regarding all of this

Ames Lab 60th - The 1940s

• A display of three sets of 24 metals produced by processes developed at Ames Laboratory are sealed in three time columns at Amarillo, Texas, during the centennial observance of the discovery of helium gas. One column will be opened in 25 years, another in 100 years, and the final column at the end of 1,000 years. The display sets each contain a brief description of the processes developed at the Lab and an overview of the Lab and its history.

**4429 mcc** · 11-26-2008, 10:58 AM

You know there has got to be a ICBM on ISU's campus somewhere!

**bos** · 11-26-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

Interesting read regarding all of this

Ames Lab 60th - The 1940s

Did you read the 50's? It appears that some bickering went on between ISU and the government about intellectual property.

**MidwestZest** · 11-26-2008, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by chriscyzer

I could tell that it needs a fresh paint job though.

I bet you could get plenty of people from the site to help out and paint it....CF tailgate + playground painting....

**MidwestZest** · 11-26-2008, 11:09 AM

BTW - does anybody know anything about the little 'midget house' on campus ave, a few houses south of oakland? it's like, a 1 1/2 room house. with a loft i assume. Smaller than most efficiencies in ames. I don't even know how it could have running water.

**Clonefan94** · 11-26-2008, 11:15 AM

My cousing always talked of touring the steam tunnels in the late 80's. I never got to make the trip with him though. I know he had a few odd access channels because of helping out with research in Chemical engineering.

**bmuff** · 11-26-2008, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

For a minute, you had me stumped. I was pretty sure I'd heard of and seen everything on ISU's campus, but I'd sure never heard of Spangler Lab, so I looked it up. Applied Sciences Complex? Come on, that is NOT "on campus". By that definition, the new dairy farm down in Ankeny is "on campus", too! I will give you, though, that the whole ASC is creepy as all hell. Gives me the heebie-jeebies just being in the parking lot.

Nothing scary about the Applied Sciences Complex these days. There used to be a nuclear reactor out there, but not any more. The guard shack set up at the entrance is gone. It's now home to quite a few ISU employees. :)