A “Doomsday Prepper” Finally Allows Access Into the Shelter He Created With 42 School Buses

The person behind this unique creation is a retired computer science professor named Bruce Beach. He built this facility with the hope that it would never have to be used. But, just in case the world decides to unleash a zombie apocalypse, survivors can live inside a network of underground tunnels and rooms made out of repurposed school buses.

He went to great lengths to make sure that in case of worst-case scenarios, humanity would have a chance to survive. He was always thinking ahead to ensure that there was a plan B in case something went wrong. Such a mindset led him to build the underground facility out of old school buses. 

The thought of a nuclear war was all too real for Bruce Beach. So, as a young man, he decided to become a prepper. He didn’t want to be caught unprepared–thus, his need to build a hidden facility and give humanity a good chance to survive.

Fortunately, the situation was eventually defused, but the threat of nuclear war was always looming during the entirety of the Cold War–for almost 30 more years. It’s a reminder of the value of being prepared for the worst-case scenario. 

It was a tense time as people worried that the threat of nuclear war was back on the table. People like Bruce Beach didn’t want to be one of the many who were not prepared. He felt he had to take action.

If it had gone differently, the world could have been changed forever. It’s nerve-wracking to think that even a military exercise intended to prevent a war can almost trigger one. It also shows how delicate the situation was back then and how important it was for countries’ communication channels to be open in order to avoid a catastrophic outcome.

Bruce Beach had probably decided enough was enough. He no longer wanted to wait for the worst.  Worldwide situations such as this were more than enough to prompt him to perform preventative measures to protect not just himself but other people too.

Having to live in constant fear, not knowing if you’re going to wake up the next day or not, was a stress Beach didn’t want to experience. The doomsday news was a reminder of how media can shape public perception. It also served as the catalyst for someone like Beach to have a ready plan in case of worst-case scenarios.

He began building an underground bunker that would be able to house around 500 people in case of a global catastrophe. He took matters into his own hands as doing so gave him a sense of control and peace of mind.

He went all out as he built one of the largest privately built nuclear shelters on the planet. Remarkably, he accomplished it all on his own. It’s a testament to his determination and resourcefulness. 

Since it was designed by a prepper, trust that it’s built to withstand pretty much anything. Imagine the piece of mind, knowing that you’ll be protected from any potential disasters. 

Bruce was not afraid to use unique things to create shelters. He was as resourceful as he could possibly be. The foresight to use school buses as the base was made to utilize readily available materials. They are also functional and 100% safe.

Plus, Bruce was able to purchase them for just around $300 each. We believe that’s a pretty good deal. We are also amazed at the bunker’s durability besides its cost-effectiveness. It is amazing that people can come up with unique solutions with limited resources.

Fortunately, it has not yet been put to the test as it’s been sitting empty beneath his land ever since. Still, a whole underground world that is protected from any above-ground dangers leaves one feeling relief that there is a place to go to in order to survive any catastrophic event. 

People who have been inside said the complex isn’t exactly in the best condition as it is damp and has bad lighting. But despite that, Beach maintains that the bunker has everything that survivors might need.

It also has its very own chapel. Since the threat of a nuclear war may be possible, the bunker also has a decontamination room. This is crucial if anyone ever needs to use the bunker and then go back to the outside world. Essentially, it is more than your average home because it’s a high-tech shelter built to keep its inhabitants safe in an emergency.

It even has a special chair for dental treatments. It also has a “brig,” which is a fancy word for a prison. Though it sounds quite serious, do note that this bunker is meant to keep people safe in case of an emergency. Having a designated area for keeping folks secure is, therefore, a necessity. Chess sets are also available, so people have something to do to pass the time.

One of the rooms in the bunker actually has an old bicycle set up. Its purpose is for residents to grind wheat via bike pedal. There’s another room with security monitors, which gives bunker residents an overview of the complex. But instead of sleek, fancy monitors, old Commodore 64 computers were used.

Even though some parts of the bunker might be a bit dated, everything is still fully functional. The bunker also has a generator set up for a nuclear emergency to ensure the availability of power supply for the survivors. 

Beach told a newspaper that it’s actually for bartering. This prepper made sure he crossed his t’s and dotted his i’s as he considered the possibility of a future where toilet paper becomes a valuable commodity. 

The bunker has plenty of diesel to keep the lights on. It also provides the inhabitants with drinking water. Though it is not a vacation destination, it’s definitely equipped to keep people safe and alive during a crisis. 

The prepper himself even mentioned in an interview that over the years, he’s had to throw out a lot of food. It’s not an easy job to keep track of expiration dates, making sure that all the supplies stay fresh. But that is the price you have to pay when you’re preparing for the worst. 

It’s also designed to launch a weather balloon to check on the conditions outside. It also has radio equipment that can broadcast messages across North America. It can be likened to a little underground city. Survival also means being able to stay connected and informed even in the worst of situations. 

He believes that his project is a service to his community.  It’s not just about saving a few people–it’s about creating a way for civilization to rebuild after a nuclear catastrophe. He is out to save not just himself but humanity.

The prepper mentioned it himself in an interview as he emphasized that he would be willing to take in children and provide them with a safe place to stay, even if their parents could not join them. His goal was to provide a safe haven for the future generation, even though it meant having to make hard choices.

He welcomed anyone who was interested, regardless of their religious, cultural, or political beliefs. It’s a smart idea in a crisis situation. Having a group of people working together, who come from different backgrounds, can bring in different perspectives, skills, and ideas to help the community to function better. 

Thus, Bruce has taken it upon himself to bear the responsibility of restoring the world after nuclear annihilation. In his mind, the bunker isn’t just a place to wait out a disaster–it’s a starting point for rebuilding a new kind of civilization.

Even when he was hosting regular workdays at the bunker, most people would only come once and never return. Even in 2017, only 50 regular community members were on the invite list. It’s not that people didn’t see the value in the idea, but it’s a big commitment to make. 

It takes a lot of dedication and even frustration to complete work you’re passionate about, only for it to be dismissed by naysayers and even people you love. But in the end, he hoped his tremendous efforts would be vindicated, and the world would see the value in what he was doing.

Beach had a very clear vision of what his underground society would entail. He had put a lot of thought and planning into it. It’s not clear what the future holds for the bunker, but it’s possible that if Beach’s family allows it, and if a nuclear disaster does occur, the bunker will continue to provide shelter and safety to those in need. 

Additionally, he also had specific tasks assigned to each member of the crew. He even allocated bunks based on age and gender. In a crisis situation, Bruce knew the value of quick decision-making and clear roles and responsibilities in order for a society to function smoothly.

He explained on his website that the bunker is a “lifeboat” and not a “luxury cruise liner.” In other words, it’s not a place for relaxation and leisure, it’s a place for survival, and everyone would have to contribute to that goal.

In the year 2000, the fire department declared the bunker unsafe and ordered its closure. Despite Beach’s efforts, it’s not always clear if the structure meets safety regulations. It’s understandable that the fire department wants to ensure the safety of the people who might be using it in case of an emergency. 

Despite the authorities’ worries, it hasn’t stopped various explorers from being interested in taking a look inside the bunker. It’s an interesting structure, and people can’t help but be curious about it. 

The film was twenty minutes in length and provided a comprehensive exploration of the entire underground complex. Though the structure was starting to show signs of wear and tear due to age, it was still very much equipped with the proper gear to allow anyone to survive nuclear fallout.

He explained how radiation only travels in a straight line. Therefore, such radioactive energy will be unable to make a turn and enter the bunker. Though the shelter seems safe from nuclear fallout, it is evidently not safe from junk and clutter which has collected inside the bunker.

Despite Beach’s efforts to be adequately prepared, some areas were woefully lacking in basic necessities. For instance, the nursery and the library did not have necessary items such as toys and books.

Beach explained that he would train survivors about LERN or Local Economy Recovery Networks. It is where 150 individuals aged 15 and above would make up different societal functions such as the administration, legislation, and the judiciary.

They also want to see it be usable during an emergency. In honor of Beach’s efforts, his family buried him near his self-made bunker. Though gone, his spirit may be keeping a very close eye on his beloved creation.