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(#1) The Greenbrier Bunker Was Stocked With Bunkbeds And Anti-Depressants
Despite its location under the bright, luxurious grounds of the Greenbrier Resort, the West Virginia bunker is a dreary, sterile place. Plus, the space was commissioned to be as large as a Walmart.
Now decommissioned and open for tours (since the Washington Post outed the bunker in 1992), visitors can see what conditions the president and other officials would have endured.
Rows of 1,100 bunkbeds with names assigned to them for select government officials fill the drab bunker. However, officials weren't even allowed to bring their families to the shelter; they'd have to abandon their loved ones. Unsurprisingly, the bunker infirmary was well-stocked with anti-depressants.
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(#2) The Government Made Up A Fake Company For Greenbrier Bunker Employees
The government created fake company Forsyth Associates as a cover for employees at the Greenbrier Bunker. Not only was the small group of employees responsible for the bunker's maintenance, the secret hires also repaired televisions for almost 800 rooms in the resort.
For 30 years, employees replaced filters, restocked pharmaceuticals, and refreshed the food supply. Their presence alerted civilians about the bunker's existence.
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(#3) The Cheyenne Mountain Complex Has A Subway Cafe And A Full Cafeteria
Just because it's doomsday doesn't mean you can't eat fresh. That's right, deep in the Cheyenne Mountain bunker, employees can grab a meatball sub from Subway while watching for any potential airborne threats. There are also TV screens that live-stream the outside world, but a level one security clearance is needed to enter the facility.
Additionally, the bunker's 24-hour cafeteria serves up intricate meals, but a military cook will begin rationing in the case of a real disaster.
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(#4) There Is A Power Plant, A Police Department, And A Fire Department At The Raven Rock Complex
One of the larger presidential bunkers, the Pennsylvanian Raven Rock is equipped with both police and fire departments, as well as a fully functioning power plant.
It's like an underground city. When the Department of Defense began construction in 1951, officials weren't even sure if there was a contractor capable of erecting what was essentially a three-story city inside a mountain. Luckily, the firm responsible for the New York Subway - Parsons Brinckerhoff - was able to complete the job. The media nicknamed the space "Harry's Hole," after discovering President Harry Truman had approved the project.
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(#5) Raven Rock Was Almost Shut Down For Good
After the Cold War ended and the fear of nuclear attack slowly tapered off, many officials questioned the need for keeping the Raven Rock bunker. It cost millions of dollars a year for basic upkeep, and one government official even remarked:
You’d feel like you’re walking into a dinosaur [because the place is so outdated].
In 1991, President George H.W. Bush halted 24-hour operations there, and the facility seemed desolate. However, 9/11 changed everything; the government decided to allocate about $652 million towards Raven Rock upgrades. The annual budget of the facility skyrocketed and new fuel reserves were included as well.
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(#6) Raven Rock Has 900,000 Feet Of Office Space
One of the nation's more active doomsday bunkers, the Raven Rock facility received upgrades in 2012. Contractors added 27 new fuel tanks, each of which contain up to 20,000 gallons of gasoline.
Additionally, the facility's original 100,000 square feet of office space has been increased to 900,000. There are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 employees, but no family members are welcome in the Raven Rock bunker. Family members will, however, be allowed to make visits if disaster does strike.
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(#7) Raven Rock Can Accommodate About 1,400 People Comfortably
Raven Rock opened in 1953 and was intended to be a second home for the Department of Defense in case of a nuclear attack. At its initial unveiling, the space included a lot of office space, multiple bathrooms, dining facilities, infirmaries, and communication areas.
The bunker was designed to hold around 1,400 people. Interestingly enough, the project was never entirely classified; the media was briefed from the start. Everyone knew the bunker was protected by 34-ton doors and bolstered with long tunnels to protect inhabitants in case of a blast.
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(#8) Cheyenne Mountain Hosts Spin Classes
The Cheyenne Mountain bunker hosts fitness classes, and spin class is one of the favorites. However, in emergency situations, the facility gym is designed to double as a hospital station. There are curtains at the front of the gym that shield the hospital bays when closed.
Otherwise, on any given day, employees work out to the latest pop song in their gym/triage hybrid.
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(#9) There Are Two Underground Reservoirs At Cheyenne Mountain
The Cheyenne Mountain bunker has two underground lakes where Navy personnel can use a little white white rowboat to occasionally "renew at sea." Generally, the rowboats are used to run routine inspections of the large, manmade bodies of water.
The two reservoirs are roughly the size of football fields. They were designed to tilt down into the earth in case of an earthquake, thereby reducing spillage. The water supply would keep the complex hydrated for several weeks.
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(#10) The NORAD Facility Is Built On Cushioning Springs To Ward Against A Nuclear Blast
The NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense) facility on the Cheyenne Mountain was built to protect the United States if all other systems fail.
If a nuclear attack occurs, for example, the buildings will be shielded by massive expanses of rock. Additionally, the springs beneath the space will provide cushion and shock protection. There is enough slack built into cables to allow buildings to sway up to 18 feet.
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(#11) Some Bunkers Are Supplied With A Non-Denominational Chapel
The chapel inside the Cheyenne Mountain Complex was utilized during 9/11. During that time, all employees were locked inside the bunker and compelled to continue working. One man complained, insisting that he be released to see family.
However, after spending time in the religious space, the employee returned to his station. The chaplain there offered prayer and mental health services.
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(#12) The Cheyenne Mountain Facility Has Tunnels Specially Designed For An Atomic Blast
If you make it through the two security checkpoints into the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, you'll find yourself at a massive door.
Situated at a 90-degree angle away from this entrance is a huge tunnel that extends from one side of the mountain to the other. Architects did this to direct any nuclear explosions away from the entryway. The barrier acts like a plug; during a blast the seal would merely tighten to expel any toxic fumes.
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After the emergence of early nuclear weapons, all countries were looking for ways to build defenses against nuclear weapons to ensure that they can survive the bombing, especially during the Cold War. The United States spends a lot of time and energy to find strong fortresses and invest in the bunkers. Most of these nuclear bunkers were built during the Cold War in the last century. After entering the 21st century, the United States has to prevent incidents like 911 from recurring and threatening.
These bunkers are very sturdy, and some bunkers have a sound ecosystem inside, including hospitals, schools, farms, etc. A group of bunkers has been built underground in the US so that they can make sure the safety of the presidents when necessary. With the generator, you can know more about 12 Cold War bunkers.
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