It seems most everyone who lived in the area knew about the bunker too—or at least suspected it. I remember friends from college telling me about it in the 80’s.
It had video messages from Arthur Godfrey to reassure the surviving population that still had working TVs that even though the bomb had dropped, Uncle Sam had the situation well in hand.
They kept those tapes ready to use, even after Arthur died.
I think that had they used them in such a situation, it would only have added to the ludicrousness of the whole idea.
While Congress got all these bunks and auditoriums, NASA got two desks. There was one bunk for Chief Justice Earl Warren, in case they needed a Supreme Court ruling. He refused to participate in drills, noting that he could not take his wife with him. "What would I say to her? 'Nice to have known you?'"
President Eisenhower found it hilarious when his limo headed there in a drill got trapped in a rush hour traffic jam.
Read "Raven Rock" for more details about the US government's plans for surviving nuclear holocaust.
Canada's version, nicknamed after the PM who approved it, is the 'Diefenbunker'. The tour of this cold war museum takes you back in time. https://g.co/kgs/AwXeVZk
Chris: you’re right about the bunker tour. A couple of facts that your readers might like: Ike’s penchant for golf may have spiked his interest in the resort initially. Visiting the wounded…well let’s get a quick 18 in. The fact that they had to rebuild the furnace so to dispose of bones which required a higher temperature.
Met Jerry West there who opened a Steak House on the property to serve the moneyed clientele at the casino that (now Gov) Jim Joyce opened.
I find this all fascinating and would love to take the tour. I remember this being uncovered and thought it was so interesting as my grandparents vacationed each year at The Greenbrier. It was one of their getaways with friends and heard numerous stories of their travels.
What a great story. Brings back memories of those CD shelter signs and the duck and cover drills in elementary school that seemed pretty useless even to a 4th grader.
Part of the US early warning system was built in the north east of England, at Fylingdales in North Yorkshire and resembled giant golf balls. The locals were unimpressed that the US would get 4 hours warning, but the UK virtually none.
On a related note, if any of you have the opportunity to tour a decommissioned missile silo, that's a fascinating and worthwhile afternoon. I went to the Titan Missile Museum near Tucson a few years back. I don't know if there are other similar museums.
This kind of thing doesn't make sense on the current day and age when about 30% of our government hates the United States and would like to turn it over to Putin or Orban.
https://youtu.be/4w-jxs2KE4s?si=dgPo2pXfXmQDFWth&t=1417
Anyone who remembers Norm Macdonald getting screwed out of $1 million by Regis Philbin is very much aware of Greenbrier's nuclear shelter.
I'm still not over this.
EDIT: I should add, this was great!
It seems most everyone who lived in the area knew about the bunker too—or at least suspected it. I remember friends from college telling me about it in the 80’s.
Very familiar with this story.
It had video messages from Arthur Godfrey to reassure the surviving population that still had working TVs that even though the bomb had dropped, Uncle Sam had the situation well in hand.
They kept those tapes ready to use, even after Arthur died.
I think that had they used them in such a situation, it would only have added to the ludicrousness of the whole idea.
While Congress got all these bunks and auditoriums, NASA got two desks. There was one bunk for Chief Justice Earl Warren, in case they needed a Supreme Court ruling. He refused to participate in drills, noting that he could not take his wife with him. "What would I say to her? 'Nice to have known you?'"
President Eisenhower found it hilarious when his limo headed there in a drill got trapped in a rush hour traffic jam.
Read "Raven Rock" for more details about the US government's plans for surviving nuclear holocaust.
Canada's version, nicknamed after the PM who approved it, is the 'Diefenbunker'. The tour of this cold war museum takes you back in time. https://g.co/kgs/AwXeVZk
Chris: you’re right about the bunker tour. A couple of facts that your readers might like: Ike’s penchant for golf may have spiked his interest in the resort initially. Visiting the wounded…well let’s get a quick 18 in. The fact that they had to rebuild the furnace so to dispose of bones which required a higher temperature.
Met Jerry West there who opened a Steak House on the property to serve the moneyed clientele at the casino that (now Gov) Jim Joyce opened.
Best couple of hour tour ever.
I find this all fascinating and would love to take the tour. I remember this being uncovered and thought it was so interesting as my grandparents vacationed each year at The Greenbrier. It was one of their getaways with friends and heard numerous stories of their travels.
But did you play golf? Or hit the casino? Or at least the fitness center? History is nice, but gotta play too!
What a great story. Brings back memories of those CD shelter signs and the duck and cover drills in elementary school that seemed pretty useless even to a 4th grader.
That is so cool! My daughter may be going to graduate school in WV next year--will have to check this out!
Behold! a meaningful chunk of the game Fallout 76 (set in post-apocalypse West Virginia) is dedicated to exploring the Greenbrier and its secrets
Part of the US early warning system was built in the north east of England, at Fylingdales in North Yorkshire and resembled giant golf balls. The locals were unimpressed that the US would get 4 hours warning, but the UK virtually none.
I’ve been there so cool!
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
On a related note, if any of you have the opportunity to tour a decommissioned missile silo, that's a fascinating and worthwhile afternoon. I went to the Titan Missile Museum near Tucson a few years back. I don't know if there are other similar museums.
This kind of thing doesn't make sense on the current day and age when about 30% of our government hates the United States and would like to turn it over to Putin or Orban.