--- title: "Do you know the history behind Washington D.C.’s underground tunnels?" description: "Known as the Capitol Tunnels, these architectural masterpieces have been in existence for hundreds of years in Washington DC." date: "2022-02-28" modified: "2023-02-28" authors: - name: "Bethaney Phillips" job_title: "Contributor, Veteran Spouse" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/bethaneyphillips/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/do-you-know-the-history-behind-washington-d-c-s-underground-tunnels/" categories: - "History" --- # Do you know the history behind Washington D.C.’s underground tunnels? ![A long, curved underground tunnel with two large insulated pipes running along the left side, supported by metal brackets. The tunnel is brightly lit with evenly spaced lights along both walls, creating reflections on the smooth floor. On the right side, there is a narrow walkway with a railing separating it from the main tunnel floor. The image is in black and white.]() Down beneath some of the most powerful buildings in the nation’s Capitol, sits a series of underground tunnels. Hidden pathways between the [White House](), the Capitol building, and more. Known as the Capitol Tunnels, these architectural masterpieces have been in existence for hundreds of years. But their history is less seedy than you may think. Long from a right to privacy or shady deals, the tunnels were meant for one simple purpose: cool air. ![electric cars]() *An image of electric cars from the 1960s in the underground Washington tunnels. Image from the public domain.* Work on the tunnels began in 1865 as a desperate attempt at cooling government buildings. As new wings were added throughout the Civil War, many windowless offices were created, with no way for airflow to cool large portions of the building. The solution? Two 10-foot tunnels were intended to house and funnel cool air from deep underground. They were also packed with large chunks of ice. Air was funneled with large propellers, further channeling the cooled air. It’s said that during summer months, the House and Senate were cooled by 10 degrees with this method. (They were also hit with the smell of manure each time the grounds were fertilized.) A few decades later, in 1898, [The Library of Congress]() moved a quarter-mile away, and there was an instant issue of how lawmakers could attain important documents, quickly, and without dealing with extreme elements. To solve the growing problem, another tunnel was dug, this time, for transportation of documents. An “electric dynamo” held trays of books and papers, shooting them from building to building, landing in a document room next to the House of Representatives. The dynamo was repeated several times over, creating additional book funnels over the years. ![washington dc tunnels map]() *An early rendition of the Capitol building, Library of Congress, and its book funnels. Image from the public domain.* Next, as additional offices were built, travel tunnels were included to provide transportation between the locations. They allow government officials to get from one place to the next extremely quickly. By bypassing roads and public transportation, Congressmen, Senators, and more can make it from meeting to meeting with ease. All without hassle, or exposure to weather. They originally rode in Studebaker autos but were soon traded for monorails instead. Though a walking path was also provided for those who wanted exercise or couldn’t wait for an open seat. Their next step was to provide underground parking options. This began as a way to provide jobs during the New Deal while keeping the skyline intact. Decades later, more underground lots were added for additional parking, and to free existing slots for tourists. ![inside washington dc tunnels]() *Inside an underground Washington tunnel. Image from the public domain.* Over time, tunnels were added along with new buildings, greatly expanding the underground method of transportation. Additional book paths were created, as well as walkways and electric monorail travels. Today, there are also tunnels for public use, allowing visitors to pass quickly between buildings. (Access adjusts with current security levels, and identification is required.) Today, ongoing projects are in play to update and add historic appeal to the tunnels, keeping them intact while providing artistic improvements. ## Author Bethaney Phillips has contributed to We Are the Mighty and MilSpouseFest since 2015, covering history and military family topics. She also served as the Interim Content and Digital Manager at MilSpouseFest in 2021. Now a veteran spouse, she spent six years in an active duty family and served as an SFRG leader. With a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing, she has more than 15 years of experience in digital and print writing, focusing on researched pieces and human interest stories. She is also a regular contributor to Business Insider, covering family and parenting topics. Her work has been included on Business Insider, Yahoo, Military.com, and Manhattan Magazine. While continuing to freelance, she works as the founding editor of the Clay County Regional, a print and digital newspaper delivered to more than 5,500 recipients. She also serves as the Digital Director/News Director for Taylor Communications out of north-central Kansas. Bethaney spends her free time chasing her two elementary-aged boys, raising chickens, and reading fiction. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [WWW]()