dennis.ca

Bruce Schneier wrote an interesting note today about Corsham Bunker in the UK, a Cold War-era nuclear fallout shelter for Government officials and other elites.

Most western countries have similar bunkers scattered all over the world, though many of them are being left to crumble. Canada is no exception with the infamous "Diefenbunker", now a privately funded museum:

"Tours of this incredibly unique facility take visitors through a time warp to 1960s era government rooms, living quarters, cryptographic areas. Visitors enjoy a guided tour of the entire facility, over 100,000 square feet in size, four stories underground. Some of the focal points will include the Prime Minister�s suite, the War Cabinet Room, the CBC radio studio, the Bank of Canada vault, and the Emergency Government Situation Centre."

Considering my interest in this sort of history and the proximity to my house (probably less than 10 kilometers), it's a bit surprising that I haven't gone for a visit. Photography isn't allowed, which is rather disappointing considering that I'm probably still paying for the joint with my tax dollars.

One modern use for these locations would be to refit them for commercial data storage. It seems like a perfect reuse for what would otherwise be a money pit (no pun intended), and a handful of companies have actually done it.

Further reading on other cold-war bunkers worldwide:

• Subterranea Britannica

• Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers

• Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA)

• Cold-War Installations (Manchester, UK)

• West German Bunker Museum