Unveiling America’s Abandoned Structures: A Glimpse into the Past

Abandoned structures in America hold secrets of the past, revealing little-known chapters in the country’s history. From imposing constructions to frozen landscapes and ruined houses, each structure sheds light on the story of the land and its people, uncovering mysteries of a bygone era. Visitors to these sites are initially struck by their vast scale and the numerous structures that remain largely unchanged despite years of disrepair.

The Black Hills Ordnance Depot: A Military Facility’s Transformation

The Black Hills Ordnance Depot was established after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor to equip the US for war, producing and storing weapons and munitions, including chemical weapons like mustard gas. The facility was built with 802 storage bunkers, nicknamed “Igloos,” each 2200 ft long with 2-3 ft thick concrete walls and double rebar insulation. The site was put into use in 1942, before its completion, due to the urgency of the war, and a permanent labor force was brought in to operate the facility, leading to the development of a new community with amenities such as a hospital, school, and movie theater.

The facility was constructed by 6,000 workers in approximately 2 years.
The bunkers were built to store vast amounts of bombs and ordinance, and remain in good condition even after 80 years.
The site played a key part in the United States’ history, including during the Korean War.

A Community Revitalized: Life in the Bunkers

After 25 years of service, the Black Hills Ordnance Depot closed, but has since been repurposed. A company called Vivos bought 575 bunkers in 2016, attracting people who want to live off-grid or prepare for disasters. The bunkers can protect against almost anything, and a community is being revitalized with full-time residents like Tom Soulsby moving in, drawn by the area’s isolation and like-minded neighbors who share values on how to treat each other.

The town has a unique community with about 30-40 full-time residents, featuring people with various skills and equipment.
Amenities include solar power, water purification, and a nuclear biological chemical filtration unit.
Despite its unconventional nature, the bunker life provides a sense of safety and security, with residents able to provide for their own needs.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary: A Historic Prison’s Story

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, a high-security facility, held notorious felons, including murderers, violent criminals, and sex offenders. The prison has a history dating back to the late 1800s as a simpler wooden prison, later rebuilt by prisoners in the 1930s to prevent escape. James Earl Ray, a fugitive and petty criminal, arrived at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in 1970 after being sentenced to 99 years for assassinating Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

Ray’s escape attempt occurred 7 years into his sentence, triggering a serious response from the prison staff.
The prison played a role in the aftermath of Martin Luther King’s death, an event that had far-reaching consequences for American history.
The prison shut down in 2009 due to a growing population, but former prison officer Teddy Bassler now gives popular tours of the facility.

Pueblo Bonito: An Ancient Settlement’s Mystery

Pueblo Bonito is a significant archaeological site in North America, dating back over a thousand years. The site, which once thrived, mysteriously declined, and its grand architecture, including a massive four-to-five-story structure with thick walls and 650 rooms, remains a fascinating enigma. The construction of great houses in the Canyon is a remarkable feat, achieved through human labor and simple tools, without the use of draft animals.

The wood used came from over 50 miles away, and the structures were built with precision, aligning windows with astronomical events and cardinal directions.
A large civilization with around 150 great houses existed in the region, connected by a road system and sharing a common way of life.
Pueblo Bonito was likely inhabited by a small group of people at any given time, with other groups visiting for pilgrimage or ceremonial purposes.

Conclusion: The Significance of Abandoned Sites

Abandoned sites give people a sense of the past, helping them understand who they are in the present and future. These sites are significant to public culture, providing a sense of place and belonging in the universe, and teaching the importance of taking care of the planet. By exploring and learning from these abandoned structures, we can gain a deeper understanding of America’s history and the people who shaped it.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Ordnance Depot	A facility used for the storage and distribution of military supplies and equipment.	The Black Hills Ordnance Depot was a key location for the US military during World War II.
Igloos	Nicknamed storage bunkers, typically made of concrete with thick walls and insulation.	The Black Hills Ordnance Depot had 802 “Igloos” for storing weapons and munitions.
Off-grid	Living without reliance on public utilities, generating one’s own power and resources.	Some individuals choose to live off-grid in the bunkers at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot.
Penitentiary	A prison, especially one for long-term or high-security confinement.	Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was a high-security facility that held notorious felons.
Pueblo	A Native American village, especially one of the ancient multistoried dwellings in the southwestern US.	Pueblo Bonito is a significant archaeological site in North America, featuring ancient structures.
Archaeological site	A location where archaeological remains, such as artifacts or structures, are found.	Pueblo Bonito is an important archaeological site, providing insights into the lives of ancient civilizations.
Rebar	A type of steel reinforcement used in concrete construction.	The bunkers at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot had double rebar insulation for added strength.
Munitions	Military supplies, such as weapons, ammunition, and equipment.	The Black Hills Ordnance Depot was used for the production and storage of munitions during World War II.
Abandoned structure	A building or facility that is no longer in use or occupied.	The Black Hills Ordnance Depot and Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary are examples of abandoned structures with significant historical value.
Repurposed	To use something for a new purpose, often after it has been abandoned or is no longer needed for its original function.	The bunkers at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot have been repurposed for off-grid living and disaster preparedness.

Watch The Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLTFzhogM04

Secret American Bases – Abandoned Americana – History Documentary

Vocabulary Quiz

Unveiling America’s Abandoned Structures: A Glimpse into the Past

1. Which word means “a place where people live or work”?

A) Facility
B) Community
C) Structure
D) Bunker

2. What is the purpose of the Black Hills Ordnance Depot?

A) To store weapons and munitions
B) To produce chemical weapons
C) To equip the US for war
D) To operate a hospital

3. What is unique about the bunker life?

A) It provides a sense of luxury
B) It offers a chance to live off-grid
C) It provides a sense of safety and security
D) It is only for the wealthy

4. Who assassinated Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

A) James Earl Ray
B) Teddy Bassler
C) Martin Luther King Jr.
D) James Earl Johnson

5. What is significant about Pueblo Bonito?

A) It is a modern city
B) It is a significant archaeological site
C) It is a popular tourist destination
D) It is a new construction

Answer Key:

1. B
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” + the past participle of the main verb. For example, in the sentence “The facility was put into use in 1942, before its completion, due to the urgency of the war,” the past perfect tense is not explicitly used, but the idea is conveyed through the phrase “before its completion,” implying that the completion of the facility had not occurred at the time of its use. Another example from the text is “James Earl Ray, a fugitive and petty criminal, arrived at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in 1970 after being sentenced to 99 years for assassinating Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968,” where “had been sentenced” could be used instead of “after being sentenced” to emphasize the past perfect tense. The correct use of the past perfect tense helps to clarify the timeline of events and can make sentences more concise and easier to understand.

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time the Black Hills Ordnance Depot ________ its operation, it ________ a significant role in the US war efforts.

had started, had played
started, played
was started, played
had been started, was playing

2. The construction of Pueblo Bonito ________ over a thousand years ago, and its decline ________ a mystery to this day.

began, remains
had begun, had remained
was begun, has remained
had been begun, remains

3. By the time James Earl Ray arrived at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, he ________ to 99 years for assassinating Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

was sentenced
had been sentenced
has been sentenced
sentence

4. The Black Hills Ordnance Depot ________ in 1942, before its completion, due to the urgency of the war.

was put into use
had been put into use
put into use
had put into use

5. The prison ________ in 2009 due to a growing population, but former prison officer Teddy Bassler now ________ popular tours of the facility.

shut down, gives
had shut down, gives
was shut down, has given
had been shut down, gives

Answer Key:

1. had started, had played

2. had begun, remains

3. had been sentenced

4. was put into use

5. shut down, gives