What Happened To Fallout Shelters In South Dakota?

Many people will remember doing bomb drills in school. That awful piercing alarm would sound and students and teachers would go through the motion of getting under their desks or line up with head between knees in hallway. It was terrifying for children when we didn't really know what was going on in the world.

Several people built DIY bomb shelters on their property in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Those may still exist on older properties, but are there any public fallout shelters in South Dakota? The answer is yes and no.

While many Cold War designated fallout shelters still exist they are no longer stocked or designated as a public accessible fallout shelter. In South Dakota, the universal fallout shelter signs have largely vanished and detailed maps are are difficult to find.

However, one map exists of fallout shelters in South Dakota, but as aforementioned, they are more than likely not stocked or still in commission. According to Google Maps and the work of Sean Gold's creation of Fallout Shelters in South Dakota, this gives us an idea of formerly commissioned locations:

Avera St. Luke's Hospital
305 S State St, Aberdeen, SD

Brown County Courthouse
25 Market St, Aberdeen, SD

O M Tiffany Elementary School
819 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen, SD

Presentation Heights College
Aberdeen, SD

Sioux Falls Utility Billing
224 W 9th St, Sioux Falls, SD

Minnehaha County Emergency Management
608 N Sigler Ave, Sioux Falls, SD

Gavins Point Dam, Yankton, SD

Avera Sacred Heart Wellness Center
501 Summit St, Yankton, SD

Plaza
26 S Broadway, Watertown, SD

While these may no longer be viable options, many older concrete and underground structures like basements of large buildings may still offer decent protection if reinforced properly.

If you're looking for a specialty bunker for your family, Vivos xPoint is an option. Located 8 miles south of Edgemont in the Black Hills region.

These massive former military munitions depots were decommissioned in 1967. The bunkers are bomb-resistant and can comfortably sleep 10 to 20 people each. The company also boasts that it has a runway, is completely off-grid, and offers top-notch security. The bunker community has only one road going in and out so the Vivos security team can see anyone - or anything - coming up the road for 3 miles.

What sounds like an apocalyptic sci-fi movie script comes with a price. The bunker, which is 26' x 80' and at least 400 feet from your like-minded neighbor, will set you back $35,000 with an annual ground rent of $1,000.

If this doesn't sound like a good option consider turning a basement or storm shelter into a makeshift fallout shelter by adding earth for shielding, seal entrances, and equip with ventilation and supplies.

From Frybread to Pheasants - Here are South Dakota's Official State Things

Every state in our nation has chosen things that represent the state in one way or another to be official state things. Like a flower, or animal. South Dakota is no different.

The Mount Rushmore has a state flower. But did you know we also have a state tree and a state fish? Yes, we even have a state code.

Here is what we have so far in Wyoming. Thanks to the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office for the info:

Have You Ever Explored the 'War Eagle Monument' on the South Dakota/Iowa Border?

Originally being from the Sioux City area, I grew up knowing about the War Eagle Monument perched on a bluff along I-29. There was at least one field trip for every kid in the area to the monument.

However, speaking with folks from Sioux Falls, they didn't seem to know what I was talking about. All they know about I-29 in Sioux City was that it was usually under construction.

When crossing into Iowa from South Dakota on I-29, look up!

Gallery Credit: Natasha