The Cold War era was a time of fear and uncertainty, as the threat of nuclear war loomed over the world. In response, the U.S. government built several secret facilities to store and assemble nuclear weapons, in case of a conflict with the Soviet Union.
One of these facilities was located in Mount Dora, Florida, hidden beneath an orange grove. It was the largest underground atomic bomb shelter in the nation, designed to protect about 100 wealthy local families from the fallout of a nuclear attack. But today, the facility is abandoned and decaying, a ghost town of tunnels and chambers that few people know about.
History of the Facility
The Mount Dora bomb shelter, also known as the “catacombs”, was built in 1961, at the height of the Cold War. It was a joint project of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP), as part of the national nuclear weapons storage program. The facility covered 5,000 square feet of underground space, divided into several sections, such as family residences, an arsenal, a generator room, a ventilation system, and a morgue.
The entrance to the facility was a 2,000-pound steel door that could only be opened from the outside, sealing the survivors inside permanently. The plan was to dig their way out of the catacombs using partly pre-excavated tunnels, carrying radiation-free seeds to plant on the surface after the nuclear holocaust.
The facility was kept secret from the public, and even from some of the local authorities. Only 25 families from the nearby town of Mount Dora were invited to join the shelter, based on their wealth and influence. They paid a hefty fee to secure their spot, and were given a code name and a map to locate the entrance.
They also had to sign a contract that stated that they would not reveal the existence of the facility to anyone, and that they would leave behind anyone who did not make it to the shelter before the door dropped.
Current State of the Facility
The Mount Dora bomb shelter was never used for its intended purpose, as the Cold War ended without a nuclear war. The facility was decommissioned in the late 1980s, and the nuclear weapons were removed and transferred to other locations. The AEC and the AFSWP abandoned the site, leaving behind most of the equipment and supplies.
The facility was then sold to a private owner, who tried to turn it into a tourist attraction, but failed to get the necessary permits and licenses. The owner eventually gave up on the project, and left the facility to decay and deteriorate.
Today, the facility remains mostly intact, but in a state of disrepair. The steel door is rusted and jammed, the ventilation system is broken, the generator is out of fuel, and the water supply is contaminated. The shelves are still stocked with canned food, medical supplies, books, and magazines, but they are covered with dust and mold.
The rooms are filled with old furniture, clothing, toys, and personal belongings of the families who never used them. The facility is also infested with rats, spiders, and other pests, and poses a health and safety hazard to anyone who enters.
Conclusion
The Mount Dora bomb shelter is a fascinating and eerie example of the Cold War history, and a reminder of the fear and paranoia that gripped the nation during that time. It is also a testament to the human desire to survive and preserve life, even in the face of a possible apocalypse. The facility is a hidden treasure for urban explorers and history buffs, who can get a glimpse of what life would have been like in a post-nuclear world.
However, the facility is also a danger zone, and anyone who wishes to visit it should do so with caution and respect. The facility is not open to the public, and trespassing is illegal and risky. The facility is also a part of the local heritage, and should be protected and preserved for future generations. The Mount Dora bomb shelter is a ghost town of tunnels, but it is also a piece of history that should not be forgotten.