The 1970s Cold War Bunker Deep Below Las Vegas: A Subterranean Time Capsule

In the heart of suburban Las Vegas lies one of the most unique and strange relics of the Cold War era—a sprawling, 15,200-square-foot underground bunker on Spencer Street. At first glance, the two-story house above it appears unremarkable. Yet, once you step inside and take the elevator down, you’re transported into a subterranean world designed to keep a family safe in the event of nuclear armageddon.

This unusual home, built in 1978, is the brainchild of Girard B. “Jerry” Henderson, a businessman with a particular interest in underground living. Co-founder of the Underground World Home Corp., Henderson promoted the idea that subterranean homes could offer “the ultimate in true privacy!” and even boasted that they could provide sunshine every day—on demand. His company’s brochure tantalisingly asked, “How would you like sunshine every day… when you want it?” These words, along with the grandiose promises of Cold War security, capture the allure that underground living once held for those fearing nuclear fallout.

The Bunker’s Features: A Slice of Normality Beneath the Surface

Henderson’s underground residence was no dark, damp shelter with limited comforts. Instead, it was an expansive, well-equipped retreat designed to replicate the luxuries of life above ground. The bunker boasts two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a four-hole putting green, and even two matching jacuzzis. Entertainment wasn’t left out either—a bar, a stage for performances, and a heated swimming pool offered a sense of leisure amidst the looming threat of disaster. There’s even a barbecue, fake trees, and kitschy 1970s décor to complete the surreal scene.

Murals of pastoral landscapes adorn the walls, offering scenes of nature that could be enjoyed despite the world’s destruction above. The ceiling, painted a serene sky blue, adds to the illusion with its artificial clouds, and at night, stars light up to mimic the night sky. The lighting system features switches marked “Sunset,” “Day,” “Dusk,” and “Night,” further heightening the sense that this underground space could maintain a semblance of normal life, no matter what was happening outside.

Henderson’s vision was one of self-sufficiency and autonomy—a way to escape both the government’s increasing control and the physical dangers of nuclear war. This attitude is reflected in his self-published book Turn the Clock Back Sam, where he laments the direction of the United States in the 20th century. “People prosper when they are free and deteriorate when they surrender to a powerful government,” Henderson wrote, describing his growing disillusionment with the centralisation of authority. He believed that the role of government should be limited, stating, “The sole role of a legitimate democratic government founded upon ‘natural law’ is to provide for common activities, such as defense, police, and court, that individuals cannot easily provide for themselves.”

A Life Underground: Jerry Henderson’s Final Years

Henderson lived in his underground Las Vegas bunker until his death in 1983, just five years after its completion. For him, the bunker wasn’t just a physical shelter but a philosophical statement on self-reliance in an increasingly complex and controlled world. He had dedicated much of his life to promoting the idea that underground homes offered a solution to the growing threat of nuclear war, as well as to what he saw as the erosion of personal freedoms in American society.

The home he left behind stands as a physical testament to his ideas. Its blend of comfort and kitsch—a product of 1970s design aesthetics—ensures that it feels more like a time capsule than a Cold War shelter. Yet, it also embodies a deeper fear of the geopolitical realities of the time: a world where the threat of nuclear warfare loomed large and the desire for self-sufficiency was paramount.

The Bunker Today: Preserved by an Unlikely Owner

In 2014, the bunker was purchased by the Society for the Preservation of Near Extinct Species, an organisation with a somewhat mysterious name and mission. While the bunker is no longer used as a residence, it has been maintained in much the same condition as when Henderson lived there. This means that today, it offers visitors a rare glimpse into the mindset of the Cold War era, when the fear of nuclear annihilation influenced both political decisions and personal lives.

The preservation of this space allows a new generation to explore a relic of Cold War paranoia, while also enjoying the quirky design choices of the 1970s. From the fake trees to the pastel murals of idyllic countryside scenes, it’s clear that Henderson’s bunker was more than just a shelter—it was his attempt to recreate the outside world in the most unlikely of places.

The Lasting Legacy of Cold War Fears

Henderson’s bunker is just one of many such structures built during the Cold War, but its scale and eccentricity make it one of the most famous. It represents both the anxiety and the optimism of the time—an anxiety that stemmed from the very real possibility of nuclear conflict, and an optimism grounded in the belief that individuals could fend for themselves in the face of such destruction.

Though the Cold War may have ended, the fears and philosophies that prompted people like Henderson to build underground homes still resonate today. Whether motivated by fear of government overreach or impending disaster, the concept of self-sufficiency remains a powerful one, shaping everything from off-grid living to modern-day survivalist movements.

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