Gail Gatan and her husband Tony bought a large house in Lodi, California, that had been empty for years. The property was the biggest house on the block, and neighbors had always been curious about it. When they got the chance to buy it, Gail said they felt “a mix of excitement and a little fear” because of all the stories surrounding the place.
The couple discovered the house was hiding a Cold War bomb shelter deep under the basement. The shelter wasn’t mentioned in the online listing when they first looked at the property. They only found out about it during a private tour when the previous owner told them about the hidden space.
According to Newsweek, the previous owner had never opened the shelter herself. Her father built the custom home in 1974 and “had always told her never to go down there.” This made the discovery even more mysterious for the new owners.
The bomb shelter reveals a fascinating piece of Cold War history
As soon as the Gatans got the keys, they explored the shelter right away. Gail recorded their first visit on video and said the initial feeling was “eerie at first” because of all the secrecy. Once inside, they were “completely surprised” by how big it was. The shelter is hidden beneath the basement stairs and is “big enough to fit a large family.”
The shelter was built during the 1960s when nuclear tension was high. Back then, the Department of Defense encouraged Americans to build bomb shelters in their homes. Officials claimed these spaces would save millions of lives if a nuclear attack happened. The original owner was one of the few people who actually built one. Like many homeowners who make unexpected discoveries about their properties, the Gatans never expected to find something this significant.
Gail has worked as a realtor for over 20 years and knows how rare this find is. She said, “I have never come across a bomb shelter built beneath a basement like this, especially one that remained completely unknown and unused for so long.” Finding a fully preserved bunker that nobody had used for decades is extremely unusual.
The house has many other unique features beyond the bomb shelter. The original owner clearly had creative ideas and built hidden rooms, secret storage spaces, and wine storage under the stairs. The primary bedroom even has an in-ground jacuzzi. Gail noted these features prove “how bold and unconventional the home was for its time.”
The Gatans have fully renovated the property while keeping all its unique history. The home is now for sale at $1,299,000. They hope to find a buyer who loves “quirky details and surprises whether you’re into entertaining, collecting cool stuff, or just exploring all the hidden nooks.” Unlike some buyers who regret their online purchases, the Gatans want someone who will appreciate the home’s authentic character.
Published: Jan 20, 2026 01:45 pm