Moving to Tucson, Arizona
John Sims relocated to Tucson, Arizona, hoping for a peaceful life. Little did he know, his move would turn into an unforgettable adventure. It all began when the previous owner of his new house shared a mysterious rumor.
A Mysterious Rumor
The rumor suggested something was buried in the backyard. Unable to ignore it, John started digging. What he found was shocking. This was not what he signed up for.
The Home with the Enigmatic Backyard
John bought a house in midtown Tucson from a friend. After the paperwork was complete, his friend mentioned the rumor. The town’s elders believed something intriguing was hidden on the property. John was now on a mission to solve this mystery.
Curiosity Took Over
As John settled into his new home, he couldn’t stop thinking about the rumor. His curiosity grew. He started digging in four different spots in his backyard, but found nothing. He then suspected something might be buried beneath the bricks.
Discovering the Clue
John accessed local records and found documents from 1961 about a strange building named Whitaker Pools. This confirmed something was indeed buried. He hired metal detector experts to help pinpoint the location. Soon, the detectors started beeping.
Striking a Chord
John marked the spots where the metal detectors beeped. He eagerly began digging and soon hit something metallic. Could it be a septic tank? He had to be careful not to damage any pipes. But the more he dug, the more he felt this was something different.
Opening the Hatch
John found what looked like a hatch. He carefully pried it open, worried about harmful gases. He left the hatch open for a day to ventilate the area. The next morning, he discovered a spiral staircase leading down.
Taking Precautions
John was cautious. He didn’t want to descend the unstable staircase alone. As a captain in the Rural/Metro Fire Department, he knew the risks. He decided to form a team for the exploration.
Forming a Team
John invited friends to help. They planned their approach carefully. One of the first steps was to strengthen the concrete around the hatch. They worked hard to make it safe.
Overcoming Challenges
The Arizona heat was intense, but they kept going. They installed electrical lines for light and a black pipe for fresh air. Finally, their preparations were complete.
Figuring Out Entry
The spiral staircase was too rusted to use. They had to find another way in. John used a ladder to carefully lower himself down. He was excited to see what lay below.
Uncovering the Bomb Shelter
John reached the bottom and found an intact structure. It was empty, but he soon realized it was a nuclear bomb bunker from the Cold War era. During the Cold War, Whitaker Pools built bomb shelters as a side business.
Tucson’s Cold War History
Tucson once had eighteen ballistic missile silos. Most were decommissioned by the end of the Cold War. Many nuclear shelters were either locked or destroyed in the early 1980s.
Gaining Popularity
John shared his discovery on Reddit, and it quickly went viral. Local newspapers and TV shows wanted interviews. Even foreign publications covered the story. Tucson residents began wondering if they had bomb shelters in their backyards too.
Planning for the Future
John connected with others who had found bomb shelters. Many turned theirs into man caves or wine cellars. John wanted to create a Cold War museum. He started collecting artifacts like Geiger counters and HAM radios.
Reflecting on the Discovery
In interviews, John expressed his hopes of finding a time capsule with Cold War relics. Although the bunker was empty, he gained valuable knowledge about the era. He believes the Cuban Missile Crisis prompted Tucson residents to build bomb shelters.
Advice for Tucson Residents
John advises residents to check city or county records for building permits if they suspect a bomb shelter in their yard. He also warns against jumping into unknown holes due to the risk of toxic air or cave-ins.
Seeking Financial Help
John plans to renovate the bomb shelter but needs financial assistance. He started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the project. His top priority is replacing the stairs for safe access.
John Sims’ unexpected discovery turned his peaceful life in Tucson into an exciting adventure. His journey highlights the hidden histories that may lie beneath our feet.
