Fallout Shelter Plans Under Home: A Hidden Gem in the Suburbs

As you drive through the quiet suburban streets of Slingerlands, it's easy to miss the unassuming house on Mayfair Drive that holds a secret beneath its floors. The Sinkoffs, who currently reside in this house, inherited the property along with an unusual feature - a fallout shelter built under their home. While it may seem like a relic from the past, this underground bunker has sparked the imagination of homeowners Jen Van Ort and Brian Sinkoff.

According to Jen, she learned how to swim and bowl at the Serbaliks, a family two houses down who had a pool and bowling alley in their backyard. The idea to restore the entire complex, including filling the empty pool and creating a party venue, has been brewing in her mind for years. Her husband Dan Van Ort shares this enthusiasm, having also grown up with a unique feature in his own childhood home - a fallout shelter beneath the floorboards.

The Sinkoffs' bomb shelter is an odd but fascinating addition to their home. Brian describes it as 'an odd, creepy room' that they keep empty and open for air circulation. When asked about the original owners of the house and how much the shelter added to its cost, Brian laments that they are three homeowners removed from the first occupants, making it impossible to uncover these details.

For those who own homes built during the Cold War era, a fallout shelter may be a surprising discovery. In 2014, the Van Orts bought their property on Frog Island in Stillwater, where Jen's paternal grandparents lived. As she reminisces about her childhood days spent playing hide and seek with her son, she reveals that this very room has been a hiding spot for years.

As we reflect on the history of fallout shelters beneath our homes, it's clear that they remain an intriguing aspect of suburban life. Whether used as a hiding spot or a nostalgic reminder of the past, these underground bunkers continue to capture our imagination. Who knows what secrets lie hidden beneath your own home?

Fallout shelter plans under home