Abandoned Psychiatric Center
Middletown, NY - April, 2010 Previous Index Next
Radioactive sign. It said “Fallout Shelter”. According to wikipedia.org, “A fallout shelter is an enclosed space specially designed to protect occupants from radioactive debris or fallout resulting from a nuclear explosion. Many such shelters were constructed as civil defense measures during the Cold War.” I see many buildings in New York City mostly old brick or stone buildings with that sign.

A fellow photography enthusiast says,

“When I was growing up in the late 50's these were the types of precautions we were made aware of and advised to adhere to. Every kid in school knew where the nearest shelter was (usually in the school basement) in the event of an "event" and how to get there in an orderly fashion, without having to wait for his parents to come pick him up.

“Many new homes were built with these "Fallout or Bomb Shelter" provisions built into the basements here in the Northeast, and I am sure elsewhere in the country.

“Kind of a forgotten thing, but one many people are today revisiting and unfortunately, probably for good cause. ”
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