20 photos of abandoned bunkers in the US that hint at the country's Cold War past

Advertisement
Frank OlitoOct 8, 2020, 23:56 IST
20 photos of abandoned bunkers in the US that hint at the country's Cold War past

Bunkers across the US are now abandoned.Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

  • During the Cold War, the US built underground shelters in case of an attack. Decades later, some of these bunkers are now abandoned.
  • An abandoned bunker beneath the Oyster-Adams school in Washington, DC, was once used as a fallout shelter. It still has food, water, and sanitation kits from the '60s.
  • Two bunkers in Arizona once held Titan II missiles, but they are now abandoned.

During the Cold War, the United States went into defense mode.

As a result, the government built underground shelters to house defensive missiles and to provide a place of protection in the event of a nuclear incident. Five decades later, some of these bunkers still exist but are completely empty. With their crumbling walls, peeling paint, and rusted railings, these abandoned bunkers remain as a symbol of the Cold War.

Keep reading to take a look inside abandoned bunkers across the US.

Advertisement

In the basement of a school in Washington, DC, there is an abandoned bunker that was once used as a fallout shelter.

In the basement of a school in Washington, DC, there is an abandoned bunker that was once used as a fallout shelter.
The basement of Oyster-Adam school. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy sent out a letter to American citizens warning them about the threat of nuclear war. His solution: fallout shelters.

"We owe that kind of insurance to our families and to our country," his letter read. "The time to start is now. In the coming months, I hope to let every citizen know what steps he can take without delay to protect his family in case of attack. I know you would not want to do less."

Congress allocated $169 million to find locations in public and private buildings that would protect communities from nuclear attacks. One of these shelters was built under Oyster-Adams school in Washington, DC. After the Cold War, it remained untouched for decades.

In the basement, three steps lead to a green door. Behind the door, you will find the fallout shelter.

The fallout shelter, which dates back to the '60s, is a long, narrow room that is now completely abandoned.

The fallout shelter, which dates back to the '60s, is a long, narrow room that is now completely abandoned.
The empty fallout shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

The Cold War lasted 45 years, but the fear of nuclear attack peaked during the '50s and '60s.

Advertisement

On one wall, there are still boxes of survival supplies and tanks of water.

On one wall, there are still boxes of survival supplies and tanks of water.
The tanks of water. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

The bunker was designed to serve 100 people for two weeks, which was believed to be enough time to wait out the fallout, in the case of a nuclear attack.

The bunker also has the original sanitation kits, which were meant to be used as toilets.

The bunker also has the original sanitation kits, which were meant to be used as toilets.
The sanitation kits. The Washington Post/ Getty

A rubber seat was affixed to the top of the container to make it a more comfortable experience.

Advertisement

Today, these items and the rest of the bunker still stand under the school as a reminder of the Cold War era.

Today, these items and the rest of the bunker still stand under the school as a reminder of the Cold War era.
The fallout shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

The abandoned bunker also has first aid kits, cotton swabs, and tongue depressors scattered about.

A bunker in North Dakota that once held Cold War missiles is now abandoned and up for sale.

A bunker in North Dakota that once held Cold War missiles is now abandoned and up for sale.
Entrance to bunker in North Dakota. Pifer’s Auction & Realty – Moorhead, MN

The bunker was decommissioned in the 1970s, and it now lies abandoned on a 50-acre prairie in Fairdale, North Dakota.

Advertisement

The bunker covers 11,000 square feet underground and is officially known as the Remote Sprint Launcher 4.

The bunker covers 11,000 square feet underground and is officially known as the Remote Sprint Launcher 4.
Sprint Missile bunker. Pifer’s Auction & Realty – Moorhead, MN

In this bunker, the US government kept missiles, which were ready to launch at a moment's notice. The bunker was built to act as a defense against incoming missiles.

The walls of the bunker are 2 feet thick, but water has seeped into the underground space over the years and damaged most of the interior.

The walls of the bunker are 2 feet thick, but water has seeped into the underground space over the years and damaged most of the interior.
Sprint Missile bunker. Pifer’s Auction & Realty – Moorhead, MN

"They're intact, but they show signs of abandonment," property manager David Keller told Military Times about the surrounding buildings. "They're rusty and in need of repair."

Advertisement

Remnants of the bunker's history still remain today, like the 14 missile launch tubes.

Remnants of the bunker's history still remain today, like the 14 missile launch tubes.
Sprint Missile bunker. Pifer’s Auction & Realty – Moorhead, MN

The missiles that were held in this bunker were 30 feet long, weighed 7,700 pounds, and could travel 7,000 miles per hour.

The bunker went up for auction in August 2020 and was advertised as the perfect doomsday bunker for social distancing.

The bunker went up for auction in August 2020 and was advertised as the perfect doomsday bunker for social distancing.
Sprint Missile bunker. Pifer’s Auction & Realty – Moorhead, MN

After 70 bidders, the final price was $52,500, but the seller did not accept the offer, according to Business Insider.

Advertisement

An underground missile silo that was built in 1962 is now abandoned in Arizona.

An underground missile silo that was built in 1962 is now abandoned in Arizona.
The entrance to the bunker. Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

Just outside of Tucson in the middle of the Arizona desert, you will find the entrance to this bunker through a camouflaged doorway on the ground.

The entrance to the bunker still stands today, giving access to the dilapidated command center and decontamination area.

The entrance to the bunker still stands today, giving access to the dilapidated command center and decontamination area.
The entrance to the bunker. Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

Before the entire complex was decommissioned in 1982, the underground bunker held the country's largest land missile for 24 years. Known as Titan II, the missile was never used.

Advertisement

The durable blast doors are also still standing, but they are rusted.

The durable blast doors are also still standing, but they are rusted.
The blast doors. Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

Since the three doors are built to withstand shockwaves, they each weigh 7,000 pounds.

The control room is one of the best-preserved spaces in this bunker.

The control room is one of the best-preserved spaces in this bunker.
The abandoned control room. Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

The peeling walls, rusted infrastructure, and damaged floors only hint at this bunker's historic past.

Advertisement

In 2019, the property was put on the market and sold along with the 13 acres that surround it.

In 2019, the property was put on the market and sold along with the 13 acres that surround it.
The abandoned Arizona bunker. Casey James / Luxe Realty Photography

A Tucson resident bought the abandoned bunker for $420,000, Business Insider reported.

Another bunker in Arizona used to hold a Titan II missile and is now abandoned.

Another bunker in Arizona used to hold a Titan II missile and is now abandoned.
The entrance to the bunker. David Olsen

This bunker in Oracle, Arizona, was built in 1962 and also blends in with its desert surroundings.

Advertisement

The missile silo is considered one of the best-preserved missile silos in the US, according to Business Insider.

The missile silo is considered one of the best-preserved missile silos in the US, according to Business Insider.
Inside the bunker. David Olsen

Despite being decommissioned in 1984 and remaining abandoned for decades, the structure is surprisingly well preserved.

Even the signs listing the bunker's rules can be read decades later.

Even the signs listing the bunker's rules can be read decades later.
A sign in the bunker. David Olsen

The sign on the door reads, "Smoking in bed prohibited."

Advertisement

Although abandoned, the bunker is still hooked up to the city's water supply.

Although abandoned, the bunker is still hooked up to the city's water supply.
It's still connected to the water supply. David Olsen

Even though it was left neglected for decades, the well-preserved bunker remained connected.

This year, the bunker and its complex — which are known as Titan II 570-1 — went up for sale and sold.

This year, the bunker and its complex — which are known as Titan II 570-1 — went up for sale and sold.
The empty hallways. David Olsen

The bunker sold for $500,000, according to Business Insider.

Advertisement
Next Story7 eerie things that actually happened on Halloween
Advertisement
Popular on BI
Latest Stories
View All Latest
Trending News
Buying Guides
Advertisement
Popular Categories
Trending Right Now

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.