The plant provided heat by way of underground pipes encased in concrete masonry.

Originally, a spur of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad led to the building, which used coal transported by train for heat production.

[5] The Heating Plant was one of multiple buildings on campus designed by Davis that were added to the National Register in 1979.

While the spur track has been removed, the railroad line still runs near the Heating Plant.

It is surrounded by many newer buildings, notably student parking structures and modern residence halls.