When John Sims bought a friend’s house in Tucson, he heard a rumor about something buried on the property. Curious, he dug around and checked records, discovering that Whitaker Pools had built a structure there in 1961.
After hiring metal detector experts, John located a metal hatch three feet underground. With help, he reinforced the structure and added lighting. What he found astonished him: a fully built Cold War-era nuclear bomb shelter.
John shared the discovery online, sparking viral interest. Others in Tucson reported finding similar shelters. Inspired, John decided to turn his into a Cold War museum.
Lacking funds, he launched a GoFundMe to restore the space, starting with safe stairs for entry. Thanks to donations, he succeeded — and now hopes his shelter helps preserve a unique piece of history.