On this date: January 24, 1961. Winston-Salem’s first model home fallout shelter was opened for public examination. Built with federal funds, the shelter was in the basement of the Joseph Warner house, at 801 Silas Creek Parkway.
The concrete block shelter was built to government specifications by the Ervin Construction Company for about $740. It was equipped with bunk beds, a two-week food supply, sanitation facilities, a radio, lights and emergency supplies. The shelter was part of a nation-wide building program to acquaint the public with fallout protection.
Photo courtesy of Molly Grogan Rawls.
