Underneath This Massachusetts Mountain Lies A Creepy Yet Amazing Secret Bunker
Sophia
Author
Few people know that just outside the town of Hadley, a Cold War secret lies buried beneath the earth. Incredibly, a massive underground bunker is built into the side of Bare Mountain in the Holyoke Range, and its original purpose was very dark. This is one of the most fascinating bunkers in Massachusetts!
The Notch Bunker is formally called the Post-Attack Command and Control System Facility. It was built in the late 1950s as a shelter for the 8th Air Force command post in the event of a nuclear attack. It was a secret military base in Massachusetts. The bunker was meant to ensure that top military officials could survive a nuclear catastrophe and issue commands to any surviving military personnel aboveground.
The bunker was built to support 350 people for just over a month. It had surplus WWII rations, cots, and a microwave communication system.
The bunker was officially closed in 1970 in favor of another bunker in Louisiana. However, the Notch Bunker was still meant to serve a purpose in the event of a catastrophe. The Federal Reserve took over the facility and used it to store their records…and a vast sum of money to restart the American economy after a nuclear war.
Today, the bunker is actually used as a library storage facility for the Five Colleges. Unless you were a local librarian, you’d probably have no idea your library books were being kept in a former nuclear fallout shelter. Massachusetts bunkers are filled with secrets!
The implications of this bunker’s existence are chilling. Its construction means that the U.S. government took the possibility of nuclear war seriously and planned for the unthinkable. Let’s hope that such a scenario stays in the past.
Watch this rare insider footage of the bunker below:
The Notch Bunker from WGBY on Vimeo.
Have you ever seen any of the bunkers in Massachusetts? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more significant pieces of history? This road trip in Massachusetts takes you to tons of great historical sites! And don’t forget the road trip snacks!
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Bunkers In Massachussets
Does Boston have bomb shelters?
Like many major cities during the Cold War, Boston established numerous fallout shelters to protect citizens during a nuclear attack. These shelters were often located in public and municipal buildings, such as schools, libraries, and government offices, and were marked with distinctive yellow and black signs. For instance, the Boston Public Library and the Massachusetts State House were among the locations designated as fallout shelters.
While these shelters were widely recognized during the Cold War, the infrastructure and supplies intended for nuclear fallout protection have become obsolete or repurposed over the decades. Emergency management in Boston, coordinated by agencies like the Boston Office of Emergency Management, focuses on a wide range of potential incidents, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, and employs various strategies and resources to ensure the safety and well-being of the city’s residents.
Are there any bunkers in Massachusetts?
Yes, Massachusetts has several bunkers and military installations, some dating back to World War II and earlier. Here are a few notable examples:
- Fort Warren: Located on Georges Island in Boston Harbor, Fort Warren was used during the Civil War and later served as a training facility during World War II. The fort has numerous bunkers and underground spaces, and it's also known for the legend of the "Lady in Black," a ghost story that adds a spooky aura to the site.
- Fort Revere: Situated in Hull, Fort Revere is an old fortification that includes bunkers and has a history dating back to the American Revolution, although the current structures are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Fort Devens: Established during World War I, Fort Devens has served various purposes, including acting as a deployment and training site during World War II. While it's not in use as a military fort, some parts are used for training by reserve forces.
- Fort Andrews: Located on Peddocks Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands, Fort Andrews was primarily active during the first half of the 20th century. The remnants of bunkers and fortifications can still be explored today.
- Fort Standish: Situated on Lovells Island, Fort Standish was part of the harbor defense system and contains bunkers and batteries, some of which date back to the early 20th century.
These sites, with their bunkers and military installations, offer a glimpse into the military history of Massachusetts. Some of them are accessible to the public and provide opportunities to explore the state's historical defenses while also occasionally serving as settings for spooky stories and local legends.