The Greenbrier Bunker: America's Top Secret Underground Fortress

🔒The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia was secretly transformed into a top-secret underground bunker during the Cold War to protect members of Congress in the event of a nuclear attack.

🏥The bunker features a fully equipped medical clinic, including an operating room and dental unit, to attend to the health needs of those seeking refuge.

🚪The entrance to the bunker was concealed beneath a new wing added to the hotel, providing cover for the covert construction project.

💡The bunker had its own secure water supply, three separate generators, and a kitchen stocked with enough food and water to sustain the occupants for 60 days.

🔌To maintain operational readiness, the bunker had 1,300 telephone lines, constant maintenance, and frequent generator drills.

How was the existence of the Greenbrier bunker kept a secret for so long?

—The hotel staff and locals were unaware of the true purpose of the construction project, which was disguised as adding a new wing with air-conditioned rooms. Staff members who worked on the bunker were bound by non-disclosure agreements and faced severe penalties for revealing classified information.

How did a journalist uncover the existence of the bunker?

—After years of investigation and building sources, journalist Ted Gup obtained a detailed map of the bunker, convincing the Washington Post to publish an article about its existence. The article contained explicit details, prompting the government to react and eventually close down the bunker.

What happened to the bunker after it was exposed?

—The legal relationship between the Greenbrier resort and the government was dissolved, and the bunker became the property of the hotel. It was opened for public tours, allowing visitors to learn about its history and the realities of nuclear conflict.

What facilities and amenities were provided in the bunker?

—The bunker had dormitories with metal bunk beds, a kitchen, medical facilities, blast doors, and a secure water supply. It also had its own generator system, providing power for the entire bunker. However, the accommodations were basic and emphasized functionality over luxury.

What is the significance of the Greenbrier bunker?

—The Greenbrier bunker serves as a reminder of the intense fear and preparations during the Cold War for a potential nuclear conflict. It provides insights into the measures taken to protect government officials and the impact such a crisis would have had on American society.

00:07During the Cold War, the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia was transformed into a top-secret underground bunker.

01:19The bunker was hidden beneath a new wing added to the hotel to maintain secrecy.

03:43The construction project of the new wing served as a cover story for the bunker's covert development.

08:00The bunker was equipped with blast doors, dormitories, a cafeteria, medical facilities, and three separate generators.

11:12In 1992, a Washington Post article revealed the existence of the bunker, leading to its closure and transfer of ownership to the Greenbrier resort.

11:59The bunker is now open for tours, providing visitors with insights into the potential realities of nuclear conflict.