Civil Defense Control Center

In a city known for being completely flat, a suspicious hill is located in between two main roads in a neighborhood just outside of downtown New Orleans. Hidden inside are the abandoned remains of a Cold War-era fallout shelter.

The subterranean bunker was built as a prototype for the nation and designed to be the headquarters for city officials in case of natural disaster or nuclear attack. The location was chosen due to its quick interstate access to City Hall. New Orleans’ shipping industry and close proximity to Cuba during the height Cuban Missile Crisis warranted the shelter’s continued use. It eventually fell into disrepair and its bottom floors are now flooded after years of neglect.