16 haunting photos of an abandoned Cold War fallout shelter that's hidden underneath an elementary school in Washington, DC

Frank OlitoOct 13, 2020, 20:36 IST

Oyster-Adams school houses a fallout shelter in its basement.The Washington Post/ Getty

There's an abandoned fallout shelter from 1962 under the Oyster-Adams school in Washington, DC.
Since the shelter remained untouched for more than five decades, many of the supplies are still there.
From food to portable toilets, the abandoned fallout shelter stands as a reminder of the Cold War.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy sent out a letter to American citizens warning them about the threat of nuclear war. His solution: fallout shelters.

"We owe that kind of insurance to our families and to our country," his letter read. "The time to start is now. In the coming months, I hope to let every citizen know what steps he can take without delay to protect his family in case of attack. I know you would not want to do less."

Congress allocated $169 million to find locations in public and private buildings that would protect communities from nuclear attacks. These shelters were to act as temporary homes as they waited out the nuclear fallout after an attack. But in reality, they were a last-ditch effort at survival.

One of these shelters lies under a school in Washington, DC. Reporters from the Washington Post visited the shelter in 2017 and found an eerie time capsule. Photos taken of the shelter provide a glimpse into a different time.

Keep reading to explore the abandoned shelter that provides a glimpse of a different time.

In the basement of the Oyster-Adams school in DC, you can find three small steps that lead to an ominous door.

Door to fallout shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

Once opened, you find yourself instantly transported back to 1962 when everyone lived in fear of nuclear war.

Entrance to the fallout shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

A sign in the basement still hangs on the wall, designating the area as a fallout shelter.

Sign designating the area. The Washington Post/ Getty

The shelter itself is a long, narrow, and largely empty basement that was meant to be the community's Noah's arc.

The fallout shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

Although dark, dingy, and run-down this basement was meant to fit and serve around 100 people for two weeks.

Fallout shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

Survival supplies were stacked and stored in the basement.

Supplies found in shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

Barrels of drinkable water line the walls of the shelter.

Barrels of water. The Washington Post/ Getty

Boxes of survival foods can also still be found in the basement.

Boxes filled with food. The Washington Post/ Getty

Each of the boxes was meant to serve seven people about 5 pounds each.

Boxes of food in the shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

In the underground bunker, "all-purpose survival biscuits" were supplied, which were inspired by an ancient Egyptian snack.

Crackers in the bunker. The Washington Post/ Getty

Sanitation kits were meant to be used as portable toilets.

Toilets in the fallout shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

Various survival goods are also thrown about the abandoned shelter.

Chair in the shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

The shelter even came with a pamphlet, explaining what to do in case of various emergencies.

First aid manual in the shelter. The Washington Post/ Getty

In a school a few neighborhoods away from Oyster-Adams, they test-drove their fallout shelter with 62 students.

Oyster-Adams' fallout shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

In the mock atomic attack, the children were separated into groups and assigned duties.

Wall labeled in 1964. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

Those children were among very few who spent hours in fallout shelters, as nuclear war never came.

Eroded wall in the abandoned shelter. Brendan Smialowski/ Getty

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