Here's a better picture of the faux hole. There are two dead water pipes (and a drain pipe) that run the length of this column (2 stories). Your comment got me to thinking. I went to the cellar and located where the old pipes came into the cellar. Looks like they made a hole in the celler wall...
Moved into an old building with interior brick walls and plaster. One wall has been constantly peeling plaster due to moisture (was that way when we moved in). Decided to see if I could identify where the moisture was coming from. Uncovered this radiator pipe running perfectly along the top of...