Part 2

Public/Private Bomb Shelters When the Randhurst Mall was built in the early 1960’s, they added a bomb shelter in the basement It was supposed to be able to protect all the residents of Mt. Prospect, IL from nuclear attack

Private Shelters To protect their families, some Americans built bomb shelters in their homes Many were built in secret to prevent neighbors from trying to come in during attacks It is estimated that more than 1500 private shelters were built during the Cold War

Shelter Construction To provide maximum protection, most shelters were built below ground with concrete blocks Many were built below patios and driveways to provide extra protection Some hid the construction from neighbors, claiming to be building swimming pools or remodeling their homes

Shelter Supplies Public and private shelters were stocked for a minimum two-week supply of essentials Water Food Sanitation facilities Radiation meters Medical supplies Radios, books, games, etc.

Drinking Water

Survival Food

Sanitation Facilities

Geiger Counters to Measure Radiation Levels

Dosimeters to Measure a Person’s Cumulative Exposure to Radiation

Medical Supplies

Private Shelters in Rockford It is estimated that less than a dozen private bomb shelters were built in Rockford Most builders did not apply for permits or register their shelters with local or federal civil defense Two of these Cold War era bomb shelters are known to exist today

Local Shelter Locations

Private Shelter off Rural St. This small house looks like the rest on the block But under the driveway is a secret bomb shelter It was built in the 1950’s by the Richard McGaw family

Mrs. McGaw Explains Why They Built Their Bomb Shelter “It was a scare at the time, you wanted to be one of the safe ones.” “Everyone was made to feel that there would be an atomic war and since we had two little children we felt we should build one.” “The neighbors laughed at us at the time and if they (the government) came out with something like that again, I would be like them.”

A door in the basement opens to the small entryway 5 ft. high, 3 ½ ft. wide, and about 16 ft. long The original foundation ends with the red floor Entry to the shelter is on the left at the end of the passageway

Shelters had a sharp bend, or turn, to enter to protect the shelter from heat and radiation The entry to the shelter on the left would be covered with an asbestos curtain to give further protection

The shelter has storage for supplies The shelves on the right could also be used for children’s bunks Equipped with an electrical light Shelter was about 10 ft. wide, 8 ft. high, and 16 ft. long

The shelter and entry way are completely protected by thick concrete block, even over the entry way and ceiling of the shelter The dirt and driveway above provided additional protection

Area of Underground Shelter