A 1900s army bunker, now on the market for under $70,000, has sparked lively Reddit discussions due to its location in the “world’s largest doomsday bunker community.”
Situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota, this isn’t your typical neighborhood. It’s part of a cluster of approximately 575 similar structures spread across a swath of land that once served as an army base. Originally a maintenance site for storing and testing munitions and bombs, the land hosted around 575 weapons storage facilities. Constructed during World War II, these massive concrete and steel structures were designed to withstand explosions up to half a megaton.
From 1945 to 1967, the army utilized these facilities, which have since been converted into bunkers for doomsday preppers by Vivos xPoint, now the property owner. Vivos xPoint promotes itself as “an epic humanitarian project the size of a city.”
The bunker listing generated online buzz, with commenters humorously noting the community’s appeal as a significant survival initiative for humanity.
Described as the “ultimate off-grid survival community,” the bunker occupies 2,080 square feet and is located an hour from the nearest paved road, offering a serene, natural environment. “All bunkers feature a standard 26.5 foot interior floor width, with lengths of 60 feet and 80 feet, each with a 12.5 foot high ceiling to the top of the interior arch,” Realtor Dixie Whittaker said in the listing.
Each bunker includes concrete flooring, a steel blast door to prevent water, air, or gas leaks, air and exhaust ventilation shafts, and a secondary emergency exit. This particular bunker is equipped with flooring, water hookup, and air filtration/blast valves, according to the listing.
Demand for these bunkers from Vivos xPoint is skyrocketing, with “inquiries and applications” increasing “over 2,000 percent year over year,” the company told CBC.
“Vivos is not just about concrete, steel, and blast doors. It’s about creating a backup plan for humanity’s survival, offering families a chance to join a community of like-minded individuals as these scenarios unfold,” Dante Vicino, director of operations at Vivos xPoint, explained in an email to CBC.
The 575 structures, all managed by Vivos xPoint, are engineered to withstand ten consecutive earthquakes, endure temperatures up to 676°C, resist winds up to 450 mph, and protect occupants from the effects of a magnetic pole shift. According to Vivos xPoint’s FAQs, each bunker varies slightly, and the community is fostering new relationships. The company also conducts background checks as needed on those applying for bunkers.
Despite their reported demand, not everyone seems convinced:
