Real estate sisters Carla and Gladys Spizzirri were particularly curious about one house after they received a call about it. They waited patiently before they got the opportunity to look at the house on 148 Jane Street. The owner wanted to put it up for sale, but it turned out to be hiding an incredible secret! What the realtor duo found there shocked them… They have never seen anything quite like it in all their years in the industry. Are you ready to hear about what they saw there?
Realtors Expected The Worse After Getting A Call About A 70-Year-Old Home… Boy, Were They Wrong!
A Regular Home
If you were viewing it from the outside, there was no reason to think that the house on 148 Jane Street was anything special. In fact, it looked a lot like the other houses in Toronto, Ontario. The street was rather plain and simple, no landmarks in sight. The home was also surrounded by regular-looking structures. It was only common sense for one to assume the same would go for the interiors of the houses.
A Regular Home
Looking To Sell
Not many people have entered the house in question. In fact, many of the people in the neighborhood only knew that the inhabitants have been living there for as long as they could remember. Who would have thought that they were so far off the mark? The story begins when the realtor sisters got a call about a home the owner was planning to sell. Of course, they first had to see it with their own two eyes.
Looking To Sell
Just A Regular Day
There was nothing all that unusual about the day before the sisters got the call. Everyone in the office at had been hard at work, so preoccupied that they did not once consider that it was going to be a life-changing day. Everyone answered the phone, looked at houses, and tried to seal the deal with clients. The real estate agency was owned by none other than Gladys and Carla Spizzirri themselves. They did not work together before this, although things changed when they learned they made an awesome team. Why would they want to look for other partners when they already have each other? One of the sisters looked for properties to sell, and the other talked to their potential clients. Together, the two of them were a force to be reckoned with.
Just A Regular Day
Surprising Event
After earning years of experience in the field, Gladys and Carla knew the ins and outs of the real estate industry. They were good at their job and enjoyed what they did. While the real estate industry is more about routine and steadiness, they get surprised every now and then. This was a prime example of that!
Surprising Event
The Phone Rings
Even though they have been in the industry for quite a while already, they still found certain things shocking. This is nothing like anything they have ever dealt with in the past. The two of them know they had something big in their hands, although they only learned about this later on. It is hard to see what fate has in store for each and every one of us. The office had been quiet when the phone started to ring. Unbeknownst to them, this call was going to be different from the others.
The Phone Rings
A Call From A Stranger
The phone rings many times in a single day at the real estate office. There was no reason to suspect that this call was going to be unusual. However, things changed when they heard the person on the other end. She introduced herself to them as Joyce. She was an older woman thinking of selling her home.
A Call From A Stranger
A Secret
They could tell that Joyce was still hesitant about making the leap to sell her home. From the tone and manner of speaking, they knew she had reservations about doing so. However, it was easy to tell that this was a persistent person as well. They had a feeling that Joyce was probably going to sell the house than not. However, she told the sisters something that made them reevaluate the situation at hand.
A Secret
A Different Kind Of Emotion
Many people who put their houses up for sale think this is a step in the right direction. This is the reason so many callers sound happy on the phone. For them, this is the start of a new chapter in their lives. For some reason, Joyce did not seem happy or excited to sell her house. What could be the reason for that?
A Different Kind Of Emotion
Hiding Something
Realtors often develop some kind of sixth sense when they talk to clients. Both sisters knew that Joyce was hiding something from them. Maybe she was unsure if they could find a buyer for the house. The sisters had plenty of experience with unpleasant discoveries in the homes people put on the market. There are a number of things that could affect the process of selling a house.
Hiding Something
Challenge Accepted
The caller did not attempt to hide any problems most people did, however. Joyce did not hide anything nefarious such as a malfunctioning water heater or black mold. It was secret they did not even expect. Are you ready to find out what made her home so unique? At any rate, the sisters took on the challenge.
Challenge Accepted
No Way To Prepare
They were positive that they could sell just about any house. The two of them had a good reputation in the industry, and they are always on the lookout for a new opportunity. Even though they had plenty of experience already, this was one challenge they had never seen before.
No Way To Prepare
Something New
After spending such a long time in the real estate industry, they thought there was nothing that would shock them. They already dealt with many things that other people would consider hopeless. If anyone could handle such a big surprise, it was going to them. That was what they had been thinking when they went to look at the house at the very least. They talked about the matter at length and even speculated about what Joyce was hiding there. They came up with a lot of crazy theories, but they were actually off the mark the whole time. Let us take a look at what happened when the sisters arrived at the property.
Something New
Low Expectations
At that point in time, the sisters had spent 3 years in the real estate industry already. They knew the nitty-gritty of Toronto very well. They were the people you go to if you want to buy or sell properties in the popular neighborhoods of Toronto. They were experts who had the experience to go with it. There are times when they lucked out and found a property that needed the most minimal effort. These places basically sold themselves on their own. Do you think this was the case for Joyce? They did not know the answer to that until they saw the house for themselves. On the phone, Joyce did not sound excited about selling the property, but they still needed to inspect it on a personal basis.
Low Expectations
Moving On
When Joyce called the real estate office, she gave them some information about the house. She said something surprising that was going to impact the sale of the property if she proceeded. She let them know that they were going to be in for a surprise when they entered the house. What was that about?
Moving On
A Living Legend
Joyce was a senior citizen. To be specific, she had been 96 years old when she made the call. Despite this, Joyce sounded lucid and had no hearing problems. Carla Spizzirri found this impressive because her grandma always asked her to speak louder when they were having a conversation. It was incredible to find someone nearly a hundred years old in great shape. However, this was nothing compared to the surprise they found after checking out her house. We sure hope you are ready to hear what they found.
A Living Legend
Their Expectations
When the realtor sisters entered the house, they had pretty low expectations. Who would have thought something incredible was waiting for them? From the outside, Joyce’s house did not look anything special or out of the ordinary. In fact, it looked just like the other houses along the street. However, their evaluation changed when they walked through the front door.
Their Expectations
A Looming Disaster
Joyce let the sisters know that she had been living there for seventy years already! This is incredible but could mean bad things for them. For one, she never changed or remodeled it with the single exception of the upgrade she once gave the kitchen. After they learned about this piece of information, the sisters began to dread paying a visit to the home. If this was the case, it probably meant that it was neglected.
A Looming Disaster
Worst-Case Scenario
When Gladys and Carla drove all the way to 148 Jane Street, they were both skeptical about what they were going to find. They were convinced that there was no way for Joyce to have maintained her house all on her own. For them, the best thing to do was prepare themselves for the worst-case scenario.
Worst-Case Scenario
A Hoarder
As the day of the visit approached, they could not help but feel more worried. First of all, they dreaded that they needed a lot of time and effort to give it a chance in the market. How much were they going to have to fix it up, considering that it has not undergone renovation in decades? They also worried that she was a hoarder. It was possible that she accumulated a lot of junk over the past 70 years.
A Hoarder
Not All Bad
However, there were some things that made it desirable. For one thing, the house was located in a prime area, which increases its value. The housing prices in the neighborhood has been steadily going up for a while, so they knew they could get a good price for it. When it comes to real estate, the location is one of the biggest concerns. After the conversation they had with Joyce over the phone, they began to compute the numbers to see how much the property could go for. They arrived at a figure that was even higher than their initial expectations, so they knew the company was going to benefit from sealing a deal. Of course, they still needed to take a look at the property before they could even think of putting it up for sale. As most people already know, it is not wise to count one’s eggs before they hatch.
Not All Bad
So Far So Good
The house was found in the Old Mill neighborhood of Toronto, which is one of the most ideal areas in the city. They have previously sold a number of houses there and always made a huge profit off of them. However, there were still other factors they needed to consider before they could arrive at an accurate figure. At the moment, they estimated that they could sell the property for an impressive $968,000.
So Far So Good
Still So Hesitant
Of course, the number could still change. It was going to depend on the interiors of the house. They needed to take into account the cost of any renovations they needed to do to make it a suitable place to live in. However, there was something else they needed to do. Could they convince Joyce to sell it?
Still So Hesitant
Making Up Her Mind
When Joyce first got in touch with them, she did not sound convinced about going through with the sale. Of course, this was a cause for concern for both Gladys and Carla. The older woman said that she was thinking of selling the place she has called home for the past 72 years. It must be difficult to let go of a place after spending such a long time in it. Without a doubt, she had many precious memories there.
Making Up Her Mind
Hold It
The way Joyce spoke gave the real estate agents another thing to worry about. Was she that upset about letting go of the house? Or did her hesitation have something to do with the something that made the house unsellable? It was only natural that she felt sad about leaving a place one has become attached to. However, they would have a lot on their plate if it were the other one…
Hold It
Maintenance Issues
Before they got ahead of themselves, Carla and Gladys decided it was time to pay 148 Jane Street a visit. Of course, they were aware of the possibility that the house was a fixer upper. If that were the case, it was going to cost them money to improve things so they needed to inspect the condition of the house.
Maintenance Issues
Complete Surprise
The real estate duo arranged a date and time to pay Joyce a visit. When they see the state of the property, they could determine what needed fixing. At any rate, they did not expect to find what they saw there. When you find out what they saw, you would understand the reason they were so shocked.
Complete Surprise
Final Answer
Before they dropped by for a visit, Carla and Gladys only had the location of the home and a photo of its exterior as a basis for their value estimation. By themselves, the number could be inaccurate. Aside from this, they also took into consideration the fact that it bore a resemblance to the other houses in the area.
Final Answer
A Decision At Last
It seems like Joyce has finally arrived at a decision. She planned to sell her home, which is why the realtors had to inspect the state of her home. At long last, the day to conduct the inspection arrived. They arrived at the address Joyce provided them. When they got there, the older woman greeted them. The sisters could not believe their eyes when they saw what she had been hiding from them.
A Decision At Last
Amazing Interiors
They did not have a clue about what they were going to find in the home. Nothing prepared them for the sight that greeted them. After they went through the front door, the only thing they could do was stare at the interiors. No, Joyce was no hoarder. Neither did she neglect the house.
Amazing Interiors
Essentially Perfect
It turns out that the older woman was a traditional woman who took great pains to maintain her home as well as she possibly could. Who would have thought that the house was this stunning from the inside? They could not believe just how well-maintained the house was. It was basically perfect no matter where they turned their eyes. Yes, it was clean and pristine, but it was more than just that.
Essentially Perfect
Time Capsule
Gladys and Carla could not believe the condition of this house. They could not help but feel like they just hit the jackpot. They did not expect to find this at all. Knowing this, they were thrilled because they knew they could now sell it for a higher price. Who would have thought it would be in such great shape?
Time Capsule
The Designer Herself
What else did the house have that impressed them to no end? Well, no one expected that it was going to be a time capsule! If you go through the front door, it is like you were transported to the ‘40s. This makes sense because Joyce moved into the house in that decade. She picked the curtains, furniture, flooring, and wallpaper all by herself.
The Designer Herself
Something Special
The ladies started a tour of the home. They were glad to find that all of the rooms were more attractive and cleaner than the last one. This was the most pristine and best-maintained house they have ever seen, which is not an easy feat. It was not your regular house at all – it was basically a tribute to the past! They could see just how much effort went into the maintenance of the lovely home. They now understood why she had hesitations about selling it. Although it was in great condition from what they could see, they had an issue with it. Their concern could either make or break it. They only hoped it was not going to be a huge problem for potential buyers.
Something Special
Huge Problem
They felt a little worried because the house was decorated in a very feminine manner. Although it was beautiful and well-maintained, this was going to be a tough sell for most men. Most men would probably find it too pink or floral. The color scheme might be a big issue if the buyer did not want to put in the effort to redo the interiors. After all, redecorating home required plenty of money, effort, and time. These are resources they could put into the exterior and other parts of the property. The house was full of golds, pinks, and purples, which was not a draw for any male buyer. Of course, there were going to be women who did not find it appealing as well.
Huge Problem
Very Unique
There was a particularly unique room in the house as well, although it was another matter of acquired taste. The basement had a room that had a wet bar and wood paneling, which could be the ideal man cave. It looked this way, so the buyer just needed to change it a little to make it their safe haven. Without a doubt, this was a room meant for a man. In all likelihood, this was the private space where Joyce’s husband retired to. We bet he spent time there on his own or with his friends. It was quite the breath of fresh air from all the florals and pastels found everywhere else inside the house.
Very Unique
Apart From That
The house was definitely gorgeous from top to bottom, although the backyard was a different matter altogether. It was easy to see that this part of the property did not get the same maintenance. There was AstroTurf there, but this was the only effort put into the landscaping. Even though it came with an unimpressive backyard, Gladys and Carla knew they could get an awesome price for the property. The two of them knew an opportunity when they were presented with one. Aside from the initial inspection they conducted, they still had to bring over inspectors to check for hidden flaws and invisible damage.
Apart From That
The Inspectors
Even though the house looked amazing from where they stood, it was still possible that there were issues they could not see. Sometimes, the foundation suffered problems that could not be easily fixed. These things matter because they could translate to a big price slash, but Gladys and Clara felt confident that nothing was wrong with the place. However, their gut feeling was not going to be enough to assure any potential buyers. Perhaps Joyce failed to address a problem deep in the bones of the structure. After they let the inspectors do their job, they were in for yet another huge surprise. What did they find?
The Inspectors
Beneath It All
The home inspectors got to the property and started to work without a moment’s hesitation. They went through every corner of the house. They made sure to check every nook and cranny, looking for any surprises that might be hiding beneath the flooring and walls. They had to inspect a lot of spots in the house, so it took some time before they could call it a day. Their findings came as a shock to everyone involved. No one expected to find the house in perfect condition! It must have been in even better shape than the day Joyce bought it. She and her husband cared for the house so well over the years that nothing else had to be done before they could put it up on the market. As a matter of fact, Carla and Gladys just needed to return to the office to finalize the details. This was the first time this happened!
Beneath It All
It Is On
Upon their return to the office, they put the house on 148 Jane Street on the market with the asking price of $699k. While this was on the higher end of the market, the reception came as a complete surprise. A bidding war started when people saw how amazing the interior of the house as. They saw that the interiors looked perfect as it were, so potential buyers wanted it for themselves. The bidding war continued for quite some time. We bet people who were not originally in the market for a house suddenly wanted to buy it as well. As a matter of fact, people not interested in buying it even tuned in to see who would end up buying the home.
It Is On
Blast To The Past
It was no wonder that such an amazing place ended up going viral on the internet. As a matter of fact, no one was surprised to see it on the news. People were fascinated by the house and the old lady who owned it. No one could believe that a 96-year-old lady maintained it by herself. However, public exposure only made the price climb further. Those who tuned in to the story must have thought the house sounded more like a museum than a house. The house would not look out of place in the ‘40s because the furniture and decorations matched that time frame. Joyce was eager to keep everything that did not need to be replaced.
Blast To The Past
Modern Kitchen
Even though the place did not change much over the years, Joyce admitted that there was a part of the house that she upgraded at some point. In the ‘60s, she modernized the kitchen to make things more convenient for the entire family. By then, the original kitchen was no longer practical. For Joyce, it was more important to cook things efficiently. Even though that was the last and only time the house underwent a renovation, the appliances were still in good condition. Considering just how much effort she put into the home, it is not surprising to learn that this is what it is like. The sisters truly hit the jackpot with this house. They did not expect to find a time capsule-like home!
Modern Kitchen
Where She Went
As you might have guessed by now, Joyce was an aspiring interior designer. She even explained to Daily Mail just how much she liked interior design. We really do think she would have been amazing at the profession if she went down this career path in the past. However, the time has come for her to let go of the masterpiece she created over the decades. What did the future hold for the talented woman? The media learned that she was selling the house because she wanted to find a way to fund a stay at a retirement home. She did not want to spend her twilight years taking care of such a big home on her own. Now retired, she used to work as a seamstress. Who would have thought that she could make the interiors look so beautiful despite her lack of professional training? She explained to HGTV, “I’ve always tried to be individual, and follow my own styles.”
Where She Went
A History Lesson
In 1942, Joyce and her husband moved into the house at 148 Jane Street. If you know your history, you already know that the Second World War was still ongoing at the time. Most people were preoccupied with the conflict when the couple moved into the two-story brick house and made it their own. Many people were curious if the new owners wanted to retain the interior design or work on a makeover instead. It seems like a big shame to ruin all the hard work Joyce put into the house. However, we do not know what exactly the previous owner did to the house. We can only assume it has since been sold because the listing is no longer up. It is not an actual museum nor a heritage site, so whoever ended up with it can fix it up any way they want. At any rate, we sure hope they did the right thing.
A History Lesson
Not The Furniture
Even though we adore the property, there was actually a catch. Unfortunately, the furniture was not going to come home with the winner of the auction. The furniture pieces definitely had a big part in the feel and design of the place, so let us hope they were informed of this before they made the leap. Her daughter wanted to keep the furniture for herself as part of an inheritance. Since she grew up in the home, we are sure she has lots of precious memories with them. However, there is no point in denying that this would lessen the appeal of the house. While it will make the effect less powerful, it is still worth it.
Not The Furniture
After Seven Decades
During the time she moved into the house on 148 Jane Street, Joyce was just 24 years old. She lived there for seventy years before she reached the decision that it was time for a change. She spent most of her life living there but not once did she neglect her house. This simple brick structure might look pretty ordinary from the inside, but her decorating skills and knack for interior design made it a thing of wonder. During her later years in life, she spent a lot of time in the master bedroom. Even so, we daresay that it looks as immaculate as ever. The chairs even look like they have never been used. The bed also looks brand new. If you had no idea, you probably do not know that they date back to the ‘40s.
After Seven Decades
Pastel Colors
When she talked to the press, she explained that her personal preference was tone on tone pieces. She likes matching designs and soft colors as well. From the way she decorated the house, she clearly likes pastel shades of aqua, pink, purple, and blue. It would probably look off anywhere else, but this is what makes the place so unique. With her masterful hand, she managed to make it look inviting and comfortable. She took her time picking out everything in the house. She had a great eye for detail, which is why everything comes together easily. Even the towels, toilet seat covers, and photo frames were chosen with care. This is the reason the house looked amazing even though not much has changed in the past 70 years. We really do think it is a huge accomplishment that not many people can achieve.
Pastel Colors
The Intricate Details
In the three-bedroom house, you will find two bathrooms with wall to wall carpeting and wallpapers that retain an old post-war charm. There are also other details such as floral sweeps, baroque patterns, metallic wallpaper, and gold touches. While it sounds a little lavish, you should trust us when we say that it looks great together. You will also find fireplaces all over the place, and they are ideal for battling the Toronto cold. The rooms in this house had been decorated and planned with consideration and care. This is why it is basically a museum! The hardware and cupboards were all tailor-made and customized. The color choices were picked with great effort too. In the master bedroom, you will find lilac and purple colors with fuchsia and aqua accents. The rooms in the house all boasted of a fascinating color scheme.
The Intricate Details
The Best Part
The rooms on the main floors of the house might be gorgeous, but we think the basement is the most fascinating part. The laundry room had wooden cabinets that look great with the washing machines there. They might not come from the same time period as everything else in the house, but function still comes over form!
The Best Part
Follow In Her Footsteps
Joyce had a great time taking care of and decorating the house, but she also managed to maintain it on a standard that very few people can achieve. John Sims of Arizona had to deal with a different problem when he bought a new home. He encountered another kind of surprise, but it was just as unbelievable.
Follow In Her Footsteps
New Beginning
John Sims bought a new house in Tucson, Arizona. As it happens, the home was previously owned by one of his friends, so he was not worried about shelling out the money for it. When his friend gave him the keys, he learned something odd about the property. According to his friend, the property came with some kind of mystery they never figured out. At the time, John had no clue that this piece of information was going to mark the beginning of an incredible set of events.
A New Beginning
So I’ve Heard
His friend told him that there was something odd about the backyard. Apparently, rumor has it that there was something unknown buried in that part of the house. Sims was now the owner of the place, so he was free to do anything he wanted to do. His mind had been racing when he moved in. He wanted to solve the mystery!
So I’ve Heard
Wild Curiosity
Who can blame him for going wild with curiosity? What could possibly be hiding in the backyard of his new home? As soon as his friend informed him about this, he could not help but feel intrigued by what he just learned. He half-jokingly asked his pal for a shovel! The two might have laughed it off, but Sims knew he had to get the right equipment for this job.
Wild Curiosity
A New Project
He had a newfound determination to discover what was hiding in his backyard. He then worked to set things in motion. He could not help but wonder if he would actually find anything important there. He knew there were limitless possibilities. Even though it meant ruining his backyard, this did not bother him if it meant solving the mystery. John already knew that he would not be able to let it go until he solved the mystery. This is the reason he started digging.
A New Project
Arizona Heat
John started working on the backyard, even though it looked like the elements were against him. The Arizona heat was in full force, and the temperature climbed to the three digits. It was not easy at all, but he did not give up on his quest to uncover the mystery. He was determined and hard-working, but he had yet to find anything there. Was the rumor nothing more than a rumor?
Arizona Heat
Adjustment
He went and dug four separate holes in the backyard, but they all turned up empty. Of course, it was possible that the treasure, if one could call it that, was hiding beneath the grassy surface. He also knew it was possible that someone got there before he did. Even though he could not hide the disappointment he felt, there was no way he was giving up. The next thing to do was to think outside the box. This was the moment he came up with a brilliant idea.
Adjustment
The Blueprints
John stumbled into something that would help him with the backyard search. He found municipal records of that part of Tucson. He went through the documents until he saw just what he needed. The record gave him the date the house was built, but this was not all he found. This gave him a better idea of just what he was looking for. He saw a document that said a company called Whitaker Pools created something in the property in 1961. However, why would they build a swimming pool underground?
The Blueprints
Taking It To Another Level
Sims was aware that he needed to refocus the search and change his plans. Before this moment, he was working on nothing more than a hunch. This time, he found documents and needed to rethink the way he went about it. He decided to get consultants to go through the yard with metal detectors. As you can see, things were starting to get serious. The team went to his property with the equipment they needed. They then scoured the backyard using the detectors. At last, the detectors started to go off!
Taking It To Another Level
X Marks The Spot
John was thrilled when the metal detectors went off not only once but twice! He put X marks on the grass where they were set off. This was a lot better since he was not going in blind anymore. The crew he hired helped narrow his search, so he was going to be more efficient this time. He started to dig at the spots they found. It did not take long for the shovel to come into contact with something…
X Marks The Spot
Lucky Strike
His shovel struck something metal! He was thrilled, but he could not help but pause. In the beginning, he thought it might be nothing more than a septic tank. Curious, he kept digging around it. He finally found something, but what was it? He needed to proceed cautiously to avoid damaging the object that was lying beneath the ground. It turns out that he was off the mark…
Lucky Strike
The Discovery
John was under the impression that it was an entrance of some sort. It had the shape of a hatch, so he cleared the area around it and pried open the lid. He tried not to inhale a lot because he knew it was possible for there to be mold or even toxic gas fumes down there. He looked at the object and could not help but feel amazed by what he discovered.
The Discovery
Stairs Below
He found the lid only three feet below the ground. Beneath it, he found what looked like a bunch of sharp blades! After taking a closer look at it, he realized that he was actually looking at a spiral staircase that led further underground. Even though there were probably people who would dive into this spot, but he still hesitated. There was a good reason for what he was feeling.
Stairs Below
Safety First
Even though he went about it with care, he knew that it would be foolish to jump right in without any preparation. John is actually a captain at the fire department, so he was aware that the structure might be unstable. It was not wise to just go somewhere underground impulsively. This was the reason he came up with a plan. However, there was no way for him to executive it by himself.
Safety First
The Team
He needed to ask for some assistance if he wanted to keep going, so he hit up some of his pals. He wanted to ensure that he would have some backups in case anything went wrong down there. He had experience with rescuing people, so he knew it might mean the end for him if the old lip collapsed and fell down. This was not unlike what they had trained for on the job. There were some things that he needed to do before he could launch an exploration of his discovery.
The Team
The Master Plan
Even though John felt excited by what he might find in the year, he wanted to ensure his safety when the time came to do so. He had no idea what was waiting for him down there. He and his friends drew up a plan about how to go about it. They made a blueprint and devised a method on how to do this, which was the best course of action considering they had no idea what was down there.
The Master Plan
First
The first step they decided on was to first fix and reinforce the concrete structure that surrounded the stairs. It was not safe because it has rusted over the years. Even though they felt the temptation to just go down right away, it was important for them to be smart about this. They knew what they were doing!
First
Reinforcements
Together with his friends, John Sims got to work and set down a couple of layers of concrete to secure the hatch rebar. They had to ensure that the structure was not going to crumble when they went down the stairs. They had to pour several batches of concrete to make sure it was stable. When they were doing this, he could not help but wonder what was hiding down there. At the time, he did not have a clue that there was something that would make it that much harder.
Reinforcements
Summer Stench
One thing that delayed their progress was the blistering heat of the Arizona sun. What was even worse was the fact that they did not have any idea just how the direct and intense heat would affect their exploration of the hatch down below. They wanted to keep themselves safe and protect the interior of the hatch, so they set up a tent over the site. They also put up a Sonotube cardboard structure around the entrance to prevent causing any damage to it. After they finished pouring the cement there, they were all set to climb down the hatch and see what it had in store for them.
Summer Stench
Preparation
Of course, they also needed a light source to see anything below the ground. This is the reason the team first had to install an electrical line. They were wise enough to install a black pipe to introduce fresh air to the space. They were finally getting somewhere. Fifty years later, the mystery was about to be solved.
Preparation
Ready To Go
When they were finished fixing the state of the entrance, it looked so much better than it originally did. Even though it was hot out there, they kept working until they finally reached the moment that they were all looking forward to. At last, he felt secure enough to explore what was hiding in his backyard. It was now the moment of truth for John and the rest of the team.
Ready To Go
Last Touches
Even though they reinforced the structure as best as they could, there was no way to guarantee the stairs were safe. For one thing, the steps were all rusty. Even though the structure surrounding the hatch was safe, John did not know how much weight the staircase could hold. If they wanted to repair the stairs, they would first have to get inside. This is the reason he tried to think of other ways to go about it. At this point, he was ready to give the project his all.
Last Touches
Another Way In
He had to look for a different way to enter the cavern without going down the rusted stairs. The entrance was both narrow and deep, so it was not out of the question for him to get hurt. He brought down a ladder of his own instead. John had felt excited about this mystery ever since he first heard the rumor about the land. He was full of excitement when he went down the ladder. What was he going to find down there?
Another Way In
John The Explorer
As he descended the ladder, John could sense that was the first person to go down there in a long time. As he went further down the shaft, he realized he had just walked into a whole underground complex. It was not full of dirt like he initially expected. In fact, he discovered that the cavern was empty. He then walked across the path and entered an arched doorway. What he saw left him completely speechless.
John The Explorer
A Bit Of The Past
In the chamber, he noticed that the ceiling was covered in what seemed like old fiberglass. He saw that they were falling apart, so he knew the place was not safe despite everything they did. The entire team now had more work to do. Should the fiberglass ever come apart, they might hurt themselves. At the very least, he was glad to finally know what was lying beneath the ground. There was no way he was going to stop there. However, it turned out that there were more things waiting for him.
A Bit Of The Past
Long Buried
It did not look like the structure had been used by the previous owners of the land. There was some wear and tear there, although this was pretty much expected of a place that has not been maintained in half a century. At any rate, it looked good for its age. The place was empty, so John and his pals tried to figure out what purpose it served. On the blueprints, they knew that Whitaker Pools built this structure. However, it was clearly not a swimming pool. It was something else entirely.
Long-Buried
A Historical Find
Who would have ever thought that there was a nuclear fallout shelter down there? The structure was built during the Cold War when tensions between the Soviet Union and the US were at an all-time high. Back then, mass paranoia had been on the rise, which led to the construction of numerous bomb shelters. Whitaker Pools actually expanded their services by offering something people thought they needed in that day and age. They started building bomb shelters on top of backyard swimming pools. John started to look more into the history of the structure, but he was not the only one.
A Historical Find
Tucson
Apparently, there were a lot of bomb shelters built into properties located in the Tucson area. Back then, such a response was not considered an overreaction. As a matter of fact, people considered it to be an act of someone who looked out for the safety of their loved ones. Believe or not, the threat of nuclear war was a true cause for concern back then. There was another secret about Tucson that people learned about.
Tucson
Missile Town
Tucson, Arizona used to be home to 18 ballistic missiles that had the capacity to travel across entire continents. Each of these had been 100 feet long and 10 feet wide. They were capable of destroying an area measuring 900 square miles and could be deployed in only 58 seconds. The tip of each missile came with a 9-megaton nuclear warhead. As you can see, Tucson was full of both shelters and weapons! The project was a secret back then, however. The Cold War has since come to an end, although it is reasonable to start wondering if there are still missiles to be found in the area.
Missile Town
Disabled
The good thing about this is that many of these rockets have been disabled ever since the threat of war has dissipated. Nearly all of the nuclear shelters in the area had been sealed or destroyed ever since the ‘80s. During this decade, the relations between the USSR and the US were seeing improvements. The shelter in John’s home was built in 1961, around the same time the Cuban Missile Crisis was happening. The shelter on the property was a relic of that period in time. However, John had no idea just how interested people would be in the story.
Disabled
Cold War
John took to Reddit to report his findings on the property he bought. The story went viral not long after this. He was very proud of the discovery he made, and he knew there were people who were in the same position as him. The post became so popular that it helped connect him and other people who made the same discovery on their property in the area! His friends even suggested that he convert the bomb shelter into a cigar bar or wine cellar, although he already had something else in mind. John wanted to start a collection of Cold War furniture and memorabilia, which sounds even better! How did he plan to go about this?
Cold War
Raising Funds
John created an account on GoFundMe and started a campaign of his own in order to achieve his goal of bringing it back to life. He wrote, “Hi, I’m John and I need some help restoring a vintage Fallout Shelter that I have uncovered in my backyard.” The interior seemed to be in good condition, although he wanted to rebuild the upper entryway using concrete to ensure that it was stable before they started working on the interiors. Aside from this, he needed to remove the staircase and replace it. There was no doubt that he was going to turn the place into something amazing!
Raising Funds
Civil Defense Museum
John was not planning to let such an amazing opportunity slip through his fingers! After he learned that it was meant to be a bomb shelter, he wanted to convert the space into a Civil Defense Museum, a HAM shack, and a man cave. He started to read more about the Cold War and see what made the Tucson residents build these places on their lots. For John, the best thing to do was to restore the shelter and turn it into a memorial of that time period. This is the reason he started to look for Cold War memorabilia such as Geiger counters, water supply barrels, sanitation kits, and HAM radios.
Civil Defense Museum
New Stairs
The story he put up online got a lot of attention. It was even shared 430 times! He managed to earn enough money to begin with the renovation of the shelter. His plan was to raise $2,000, and he already managed to raise $350. This only goes to show that there were people who believed in him and the project. He has already managed to secure the staircase using the money he has. This means that it is now much easier and safer to go down the shelter. No longer does he have to worry about the stairs collapsing! John wanted to make it more meaningful, which is why he shared the progress with those who help him with the funding.
New Stairs
Restored
It took him quite some time to rebuild the staircase at the shelter entry. This is because he did not want to cut corners when it comes to the project. He decided to make the top step 2 and a half times wider than other stairs. He also secured it to the concrete wall. After he finished rebuilding the stairs, the interior restoration went more smoothly. Many of his fans were impressed by the effort and dedication he put into it – we are not surprised to hear they made more donations after this!
Restored