City of Elmhurst Civil Defense Bunker

Urban Legend Alert


1950s deactivated Elmhurst Illinois Atomic fallout/blast bunker.

Information for this video was compiled from a number of anecdotal accounts. So far there is only one secondary source which is the book, "Elmhurst Parks And Recreation 1920-1990". This Elmhurst Park District Publication states, in Apendix C on pp 81; "abandoned reservoir used as Civil Defense headquarters which serves as a small sledding hill". The book is at the Elmhurst Public Library ( H 352.73 JOH Non-Circulating ).

In the 1950s Elmhurst had a Civil Defense orginazation which was formed around city government. In April of 1953 the City Council passed a CD ordinance based upon the State model. The Council payed for city employees to travel to CD seminars and at one point the council even had a geiger counter demonstrated in/near the old city building (Glos Mansion).

Other area CD preperations included a 100 man emergency hospital located in the basement of York High School (the old basement track). The Chicago metropolitan area even had Nike Surface to Air (SAM) missiles located in over a dozen sites around the region. One of the radar/launch sites was in Addison (RT 53 & Army Trail RD).

We are trying to get as much information on this as possible. The site is indeed an old concrete water tank but close examination reveals that the entrance was rebuilt for a purpose other than storing water. In fact this modification would prevent water storage. It is possible that it was meant to be converted into a storage unit but one must wonder why the entrance was rebuilt with so much concrete?

In terms of a blast shelter it "might" protect you in the event of a Hiroshima size device being dropped on the Loop. However if a thermonuclear bomb/missile (Hydrogen H-Bomb) detonated anywhere within ten miles it is very doubtful that this reconditioned water tank would be much protection. Additionally the resulting firestorm would suck all the air out the shelter smothering anyone inside (who might have lived through the blast). In terms of a "Fallout Shelter" this place would have good protection, from the Gamma Wave radiation, with something like 12" concrete all around and dirt banked up against the walls.

We invite anyone with information on this structure to contact either this page or the Elmhurst Historical Museum. Any and all contributions are appreciated be they pro or con.

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[ElmhurstHistory]

The Elmhurst Historical Museum has researched this site and found that the city did indeed intend to use this as a CD headquarters. Through interviews with former city workers we learned that the door was installed, lighting was installed and steps down to the floor of the interior. Inside is quite large, appox. 20 ft. from floor to ceiling. Plans were developed but unfortunately never implemented. A fire in the 60s burned the interior. It has remained unaltered & it was never used as a shelter.

[ipfeldspar]

Any chance we can get the dates when this transpired? Also, where exactly did you find the references?

[ElmhurstHistory]

According to two former City of Elmhurst employees, early in 1957 the initial phase (and ultimately the only phase) of re-construction was completed which included the entry access door we see as well as stairs down to the floor of the reservoir tank as well as electrical lighting. One of the employees was the electrician who did the wiring of the "bunker" and the other was a former emergency services director who had first hand knowledge of City's Civil Defense shelters throughout the city.

[ipfeldspar]

I learned something and now am curious about something else... What were the other "City Civil Defense shelters throughout the city?" And a big Thank-You for obtaining and listing all of this great history!!!

[ElmhurstHistory]

The City of Elmhurst maintained many Civil Defense shelters throughout the city during the cold war, sites included lower level areas of elementary schools, the post office, retail locations as well as a 200 bed emergency hospital equipped to treat radiation exposure below York HS. Please come to our upcoming cold war exhibit "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" which opens January 24 and you'll learn even more.

[ipfeldspar]

I remember the emergency hospital up at York. It was stored in a large room just a few feet from the basement track. That track was the filthiest place in the school. I'm glad they never had to use it! I'm looking forward to seeing the Cold War exhibit at the museum!!!

[ipfeldspar]

The structure you refer to is one of three underground resovoirs, for Elmhurst's water supply. There is that one at 290 and York Street, another at Elmhurst College tennis courts (next to the tracks), and the third is in Butterfield Park, under the soccer field. Thet are all just giant concrete water tanks that would not protect against a blast.  On the other hand they would be good fallout shelters (except no one would have any water).

[sr71ablackbird]

@ipfeldspar is it tac-welded or is there a steady bead ? why not just use a shovel to remove the dirt from in front of it and use a plasma cutter to open the door ?

[27dcx]

do you know anything about the bunker looking structure at york road and 290? i always wondered about that place. there's a helipad on top of it.

[ipfeldspar]

I loved the hippy comment! Yup, peace and love until it comes time to protect themselves!