Welcome back to another amazing episode of 4 ever green. Today
we are diving into 26 hidden underground cities in America. From
underground hotel to luxurious subterranean retreats. So, are you ready to
explore the hidden world beneath your feet? Click subscribe and let’s dive in!
26. Camp Century, Greenlands
Camp Century was a U.S. military base built beneath the ice sheet in
northwest Greenland during the Cold War. Constructed in 1959 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
the facility was part of Project
Iceworm, a secret plan to deploy nuclear missiles under the
ice. The camp was located 800
feet below the surface and covered an area of
approximately 3,000
acres. The base housed up to 200 soldiers and scientists and
included amenities like living quarters, a kitchen, a hospital, a chapel, and a
recreation room. It was powered by a portable nuclear reactor, the PM-2A, which provided
electricity and heat. The camp also had a network of tunnels, some as long
as 1,000 feet,
used for transportation and storage. Camp Century was abandoned in 1967 due to
shifting ice, which made the tunnels unstable.
25. Washington
D.C. Underground
Beneath
the streets of Washington, D.C., lies a vast network of tunnels connecting
government buildings, subway stations, and offices. This underground system,
often referred to as the D.C.
Underground, spans several
miles and is located 20 to 30 feet below ground. It was
built to provide a secure and efficient way for government workers, including
members of Congress, to move between buildings without facing traffic or
weather challenges. The underground network includes amenities like restaurants, food courts, and shops,
making it a functional and convenient part of daily life for thousands of
government employees. Despite its importance, the system remains largely
unknown to the general public, functioning as a secret network that keeps the city
moving.
24. Mini Manhattan
Beneath
New York City lies "Mini
Manhattan," a vast underground network of tunnels,
basements, and utility spaces spanning the entire island. This subterranean
layer, reaching depths of up to 200
feet, supports the city’s infrastructure, transportation, and
nightlife. The New
York City Subway, covering 665 miles of track, is its most
prominent feature, with some stations like 191st Street sitting 180 feet below
ground. In 1969, architect Jay
Swayze proposed an ambitious plan to build an underground
city thousands of feet below New York. Designed to house 1 million people, it
included underground skyscrapers, homes, stores, and parks, serving as a safe
haven during nuclear attacks. Mini Manhattan has inspired films like "The Warriors" and
video games like "Tom
Clancy’s The Division." Projects like East Side Access continue
to expand this underground world.
23. Raven Rock
Raven Rock, also known as the Alternate Joint Communications
Center (AJCC), is a highly secretive military bunker located near the
Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Constructed in the 1950s during the Cold War, it
was built to ensure government continuity during nuclear threats. Nestled deep
within Raven Rock Mountain, the facility is shielded by natural granite and
reinforced concrete, along with two massive steel doors, each 3.5 feet thick
and weighing 30 tons. Covering over 650,000 square feet, it features five
buildings with 15 floors that include 50 to 80 offices each. Often referred to
as an underground city, Raven Rock is self-sufficient with amenities like a
cafeteria, barber shop, medical center, and its own water and power supplies.
Continuously operational, the bunker is modernized to combat threats including
cyberattacks and played a role during events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Raven Rock remains integral to U.S. national security and has even appeared in
pop culture, notably in the 2007 film "Live Free or Die Hard."
22. The
Survival Condo Project, Kansas
The Survival Condo Project is
a luxury underground bunker community built inside a converted Atlas missile silo in
Kansas. The silo, originally constructed during the Cold War in the 1960s, is
located 174 feet underground
and spans 15
stories. The facility covers 54,000 square feet and
is designed to house up to 75
people for extended periods. Each of the 12 condominium units is
equipped with modern amenities, including full kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms,
and entertainment systems. The facility also features communal spaces like a
swimming pool, gym, movie theater, and medical clinic. The Survival Condo
Project is designed to withstand nuclear blasts, EMPs, and other catastrophic
events. The condos are sold for 3millionto3millionto4.5 million each, attracting affluent
buyers seeking a secure retreat.
If you
liked this video so far, leave a like and you can also check out 15 Secret Military
Labs & Underground Bunkers Hidden by Governments in Front of You
on our channel 4 Ever Green.
21. Las
Vegas Underground Mansion
The Las Vegas Underground Mansion is
a luxurious private residence built beneath the surface of the Nevada desert.
Located approximately 26
feet underground, the mansion spans 15,000 square feet and
is designed to provide a secure and opulent living space. A man named Jerry
Henderson built it in 1978. He planned to survive the
end of the world there. It features 10
rooms, including bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area,
and a home theater. It even has a garden, a swimming pool, and a mini golf
course to keep you from getting bored.
20. SubTropolis,
Kansas City, Missouri
SubTropolis,
located in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the largest underground business
complexes in the world. Spanning an astonishing 55 million square feet,
this man-made cave system is carved into a limestone mine and houses over 1,700 businesses,
including warehouses, offices, and data centers. The facility is so vast that
it has its own roadways,
truck docks, and rail access, making it a fully functional
underground city. The concept of SubTropolis was developed in the 1960s by
the Hunt Midwest company.
The underground environment offers a constant temperature of around 65°F (18°C) year
around. This unique feature has attracted major companies like the U.S.
Postal Service, Hallmark, and Ford Motor Company, which use the space for
storage, manufacturing, and logistics.
19. Underground
Atlanta, Georgia
Underground
Atlanta is a historic district located beneath the streets of downtown Atlanta,
Georgia. This subterranean area, covering approximately 12 acres, was once
the original street level of the city in the late 19th century. After the Civil
War, Atlanta raised its street level by one to two stories to improve
sanitation and reduce flooding, burying the old storefronts and
sidewalks. The depth of Underground Atlanta varies, with some areas
lying 10 to 15
feet below the current street level. The underground space
includes restored storefronts, brick-lined streets, and vintage signage,
offering visitors a glimpse into Atlanta’s past. Underground Atlanta was
rediscovered in the 1960s and reopened as a commercial and entertainment hub in
1969. One of its most notable attractions is the Historic Kenny’s Alley,
a collection of nightclubs and bars that became a popular nightlife destination
in the 1980s and 1990s. It served as a filming location for movies and TV
shows, including scenes in the 2016 film "The Accountant,"
18. Forestiere Underground Gardens, California
The Forestiere
Underground Gardens in Fresno, California, are a unique
subterranean complex built by Baldassare
Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant, between 1906 and 1946. Forestiere,
who had experience digging tunnels in Boston and New York, spent 40 years excavating
the hardpan soil by hand to create this underground retreat. The site
spans 10 acres and
includes over 90
rooms, courtyards, and passageways, some as deep as 25 feet below
ground. The underground spaces, with their natural insulation, stay cool even
in the hottest weather, creating a secret
underground paradise. Some of the trees are over 90 years old.
17. Permafrost Tunnel Alaska
The Permafrost Tunnel in
Fox, Alaska, is a unique underground facility operated by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and
Engineering Laboratory (CRREL). Located about 10 miles north of Fairbanks,
the tunnel was constructed in the 1960s to study permafrost, a layer of
permanently frozen ground that underlies much of Alaska. The tunnel
extends 360 feet into
the permafrost, with a depth of about 50 feet below the surface, and
covers an area of approximately 1,000
square feet. The tunnel was built to help scientists understand
the properties of permafrost and its impact on infrastructure, climate change,
and ecosystems. The tunnel’s walls contain visible layers of ice wedges,
fossilized plants, and even ancient animal bones, offering a window into the
region’s prehistoric past.
Before proceeding to our next
selection, we invite you to explore our video on 10
Most Beautiful Hidden Caves in the World. Now,
back to our list.
16. Los Angeles Underground Tunnels
Beneath
the streets of Los Angeles lies a network of underground tunnels that date back
to the early 20th century. These tunnels, spanning approximately 11 miles in
total, were originally built for bootlegging
during Prohibition in the 1920s. They were constructed
by smugglers and organized
crime groups to transport alcohol illegally from the Los
Angeles Harbor to speakeasies and hidden bars throughout the city. The tunnels
vary in depth, with some sections reaching 30 to 40 feet below ground, and
they connect basements, warehouses, and other hidden entry points. One of the
most famous tunnels is located beneath the Hotel Alexandria, a historic building in
downtown Los Angeles. The hotel’s basement was connected to the tunnel
network, allowing smugglers to move goods discreetly. They were featured in the
2013 video game "L.A.
Noire," which explores the city’s crime-ridden
history.
15. New York City subterranean world
Beneath New
York City lies a vast subterranean network, including the 665-mile subway system,
utility tunnels, and hidden spaces. The subway, built in 1904 by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company
(IRT), reaches depths of 180 feet at stations like 191st Street. Utility
tunnels house electrical lines, water pipes, and communication cables,
while Water Tunnel
No. 3, part of the water supply system, extends 800 feet deep. The
underground also includes abandoned stations like the Old City Hall Station,
a 1904 architectural gem, and former speakeasies like the William Barnacle Tavern,
now a trendy bar. During Prohibition, tunnels were used to smuggle alcohol,
adding to the city’s underground lore. This subterranean world has inspired
films like "The
Warriors" and video games like "Tom Clancy’s The
Division."
14. Virginia City Mines, Nevada
The Virginia City Mines in
Nevada are a historic network of tunnels from the Comstock Lode silver mining boom (1859–1880).
Built by thousands of miners, including European and Chinese immigrants, the
mines extend over 14,000
feet and reach depths of 3,200 feet, making
them some of the deepest of their time. At its peak, the Comstock Lode produced
over $400 million
worth of silver, fueling Nevada’s growth and the U.S. economy. Virginia
City, once home to 25,000
people, thrived with amenities like saloons, theaters, and an
opera house. Today, the mines are part of the Virginia City National Historic
Landmark District, with tours available at the Chollar Mine and Ponderosa Mine. These
tours showcase the harsh conditions and innovative mining techniques of the
era.
13. Burlington Underground, Vermont
The Burlington Underground is
a Cold War-era bunker built in the 1960s beneath Ethan Allen Air Force Base in
Vermont. Constructed by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, it spans 30,000 square feet and
sits 42 feet below
ground. Designed to house 300
people, including government officials and military personnel,
it includes offices, dormitories, and communication centers, all equipped with
power, water, and air filtration systems. The bunker was part of a nationwide
network to ensure government continuity during nuclear attacks. It was
decommissioned in the 1990s after the Cold War ended and is now maintained by
the Vermont
National Guard for training and emergency preparedness.
12. Springfield Underground –
Missouri
The Springfield Underground in
Missouri is one of the largest underground storage and business complexes in
the United States. Located in a former limestone mine, the facility spans
over 3.2 million
square feet and reaches depths of up to 100 feet below
the surface. The underground space was originally excavated in the 1940s by
the Kiewit
Construction Company for mining operations, but it was
later repurposed in the 1960s for commercial use.
The
facility was developed to provide secure, climate-controlled storage and
operational space for businesses. Its natural limestone walls
maintain a constant temperature of around 60°F (15°C), making it ideal for storing
sensitive materials like food, pharmaceuticals, and data servers. The
underground complex includes warehouses,
offices, and manufacturing spaces, with amenities like loading
docks, freight elevators, and extensive roadways for easy access. Today,
Springfield Underground houses over 70
businesses, including major companies like Kraft Foods and Tyson Foods.
11. Cheyenne Mountain Complex –
Colorado
The Cheyenne Mountain Complex is
a military installation located inside Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado
Springs, Colorado. Built during the Cold War in the 1960s, the facility was
designed to house the North
American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and other
critical operations. The complex is buried 2,000 feet beneath the mountain’s
surface and spans 4.5
acres, with a total area of approximately 200,000 square feet.
The facility was constructed by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers to withstand nuclear attacks,
natural disasters, and other catastrophic events. It includes 15 buildings mounted
on massive springs to absorb shock from explosions or earthquakes. The Cheyenne
Mountain Complex was designed to house up to 800 personnel,
including military officers, technicians, and support staff. The complex has
been featured in films like "WarGames" and
TV shows like "Stargate
SG-1," cementing its place in popular culture.
10. The Dallas Underground – Texas
The Dallas Underground,
also known as the Dallas
Pedestrian Network, is a system of tunnels and skywalks
connecting buildings in downtown Dallas, Texas. Built in the 1960s and 1970s,
the network spans approximately 3.5
miles and is located 20 to 30 feet below street level. The
underground network was developed by private businesses and property owners,
with contributions from architects and urban planners. It connects over 35 city blocks,
linking office buildings, hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces. The tunnels include
amenities like food courts, shops, and art installations, making them a
functional and vibrant part of downtown Dallas.
9. The
Caverns, Tennessee
The Caverns in
Pelham, Tennessee, is a natural cave system transformed into a unique
underground music venue and tourist attraction. Located 150 feet below
the surface, the cave spans over 30,000
square feet and features a main chamber with a stage,
seating areas, and a natural acoustic environment. The cave was discovered in
the early 20th century and has been used for various purposes, including as a
mushroom farm and a fallout shelter, before becoming a music venue in the
1980s. The Caverns were developed by owner Todd Mayo to create a
one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers. The venue hosts concerts, festivals,
and events, with a capacity of up to 1,000 people. The Caverns gained
national attention as the filming location for the PBS series "Bluegrass Underground," which
highlights live performances in the cave.
8. Village
Underground, New York City, New York
Village Underground is a hidden performance space
located beneath Greenwich Village in New York City. Situated 15 feet below
street level, the venue spans approximately 5,000 square feet and
has become a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant music and arts scene.
Established in the early 2000s, the space was created by Aron Bender and Daniel Nardicio to
provide an intimate setting for live performances, particularly for emerging
artists. The venue was designed to accommodate up to 200 people, offering
a cozy yet dynamic atmosphere for concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical
performances. Village Underground has hosted performances by notable
artists like Amy
Winehouse, Adele, and Lady Gaga, helping to launch their
careers and cementing its reputation as a hub for talent. Village Underground
has been featured in publications like The New York Times and Rolling Stone,
highlighting its role in shaping New York’s music scene.
7. The
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Underground Vault, New York
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)
Underground Vault is a secure storage facility located
beneath the FDR
Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.
Built during FDR’s presidency in the 1940s, the vault is situated 30 feet below
ground and spans approximately 10,000
square feet. It was designed to protect sensitive documents and
artifacts related to FDR’s administration, including records from World War II and
the New Deal.
While the vault is not open to the public, it houses millions of pages of documents,
photographs, and audio recordings. The vault’s contents have been used in
historical films like "Pearl
Harbor" and "Hyde Park on Hudson," Historians
like Doris Kearns Goodwin have referenced the vault’s materials in works such
as "No
Ordinary Time,"
6. The
Vivos xPoint Shelter Complex, South Dakota
The Vivos xPoint Shelter Complex is
a private underground bunker community located in the Black Hills of South
Dakota. Built on the site of a former U.S. Army munitions depot, the complex
spans 18,000 acres and
includes 575
reinforced concrete bunkers, each capable of housing up
to 20 people.
The bunkers are buried 20
to 30 feet underground and are designed to withstand
nuclear blasts, EMPs, and other catastrophic events. The complex was developed
by Vivos Group,
a company specializing in survival shelters, and was completed in 2015. Each
bunker is equipped with amenities like kitchens, bathrooms, sleeping quarters,
and storage areas, making them fully self-sufficient. The facility also
includes communal spaces, such as a medical center, a school, and recreational
areas, creating a complete underground community. The Vivos xPoint Shelter
Complex is designed to house up to 10,000 people during
emergencies.
5. The Cavern Suite, Arizona
The Cavern
Suite is a one-of-a-kind underground hotel room
located 220 feet below
the surface in the Grand
Canyon Caverns in Arizona. Built in the 1970s, the suite
is part of a larger network of limestone caves discovered in 1927. The room is
known as the darkest
and quietest hotel room in the world, offering a unique and
immersive experience for guests. The room is accessible via a 210-foot elevator ride and
includes amenities like a queen-sized bed, a sitting area, and a private
bathroom. The air in the suite is pumped from 65 miles away to
ensure it is safe to breathe, as the natural cave environment lacks sufficient
oxygen.
4. Light Tunnel, Detroit,
Michigan
Beneath
Detroit lies a network of tunnels, including the iconic Light Tunnel, a
1,000-foot pedestrian walkway connecting the Renaissance Center to
the GM Renaissance
Center Parking Garage. Built in the 1970s, it sits 20 feet below ground and
features stunning LED
lighting that shifts through colors, creating a
mesmerizing experience. With moving
walkways, seating areas, and security systems, it’s a safe,
climate-controlled passage for thousands daily. Detroit’s underground also
includes historic salt-mining tunnels and the McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel at
Detroit Metro Airport. This 700-foot tunnel dazzles with colorful LEDs and
glass panels etched with flowing river designs, offering travelers a calming,
artistic journey.
3. The
Underground at Disney World, Florida
The Underground at Disney World,
known as the Utilidor
system, is a network of tunnels beneath the Magic Kingdom in
Orlando, Florida. Built during the park’s construction in the late 1960s, the
tunnels span 9
acres and are located 15 to 20 feet below ground. The
tunnels connect key areas of the park, including ride entrances, restaurants,
and shops, enabling efficient transportation of goods, costumes, and personnel.
The system includes break rooms, offices, and storage areas, supporting the
park’s daily operations. The system was designed to allow staff to move around
the park unseen, maintaining the park’s immersive experience for visitors. The
underground network is used by thousands of Disney employees, known as Cast Members, who
rely on it to perform their roles without disrupting the park’s magic.
2. Chicago Pedway, Illinois
The Chicago Pedway is
an extensive network of underground tunnels and overhead bridges connecting
buildings in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Spanning approximately 5 miles, the Pedway
is located 10 to
20 feet below street level and links over 50 buildings,
including government offices, train stations, shopping centers, and hotels. The
network includes amenities like food courts, retail shops, and seating areas,
making it a functional and convenient part of downtown Chicago.
1. The
Seattle Underground, Washington
The Seattle Underground is
a network of historic streets and storefronts buried beneath the modern city of
Seattle, Washington. Created after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the
underground area spans several
blocks and lies 10 to 35 feet below the current
street level. The fire destroyed much of the city, prompting officials to raise
the street level to improve drainage and prevent future flooding, burying the
original buildings. The area was largely abandoned until the 1960s, when local
historian Bill
Speidel led efforts to restore and open it to the public
as a tourist attraction. Today, the Seattle Underground covers
approximately 12
acres and is accessible through guided tours. The
Seattle Underground has been featured in documentaries and travel shows,
including "Ghost
Adventures,"
And that’s it for
today’s journey into America’s hidden underground cities! Don’t forget to like,
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