Boy Finds Strange Tracks Before Unearthing A Lost Piece Of History

Lake Kurtna Matasjarv Was In The Middle Of Nowhere

FOCUS/Toomas Tuul/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

FOCUS/Toomas Tuul/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

After picking the trail he wanted to go down, Kasper began to walk. It was not long before he came across Lake Kurtna Matasjarv. At 53,820 square feet, the lake was a decent size. Still, it was located in the middle of nowhere.

No one in their right mind was going to lug a boat out there.

He Spotted Strange Markings On The Ground

Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images

Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images

Kasper did not really think much about what people would use the lake for. That is until he noticed some strange markings around its perimeter. He was not sure what they could be.

And the fact that the marks were covered by what looked like years of growth was not helping matters.

The Marks Weren't The Only Thing On The Ground

Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images

Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images

Kasper had walked this path many times in his life, even though it was not a marked trail for hikers. How had he never noticed something so strange near the lake?

If the markings were not weird enough, what Kasper spotted next was enough for him to scratch his head.

There Was A Rope

The Ian/Unsplash

The Ian/Unsplash

Next to the strange markings on the ground was a rope, something that looked like an anchor for a boat. But no one brought their boats out to this lake, it was very much out of the way.

It would be one big hassle to get a boat this deep into the swamp.

He Began To Pull

Stijn Swinnen/Unsplash

Stijn Swinnen/Unsplash

Kasper was curious, though, so he dug around the mud and got the rope out of the swampy earth. Then, he started to pull. Being a young boy, Kasper was not exactly able to budge whatever was stuck in the ground.

He was going to need some help if the mystery object was going to be unearthed.

Kasper Got His Parents Involved

Unsplash/Annie Spratt

Unsplash/Annie Spratt

Dropping the muddy rope, Kasper turned around and headed back towards his home. Once he got there, he quickly explained what he had found to his parents. Needless to say, they were more than a little confused.

Still, they dropped what they were doing and followed their son into the swamp.

His parents weren't the only people interested; keep reading to learn what the town wound up doing.

They Had No Idea What The Object Was Under The Surface

Imgur

Imgur

Kasper had no idea what he found. The rope looked like it had once anchored a boat. But where was the boat? Was it buried under the ground, and that's why he couldn't get the rope completely out from the muddy earth?

The young boy had no clue he was about to uncover a lost piece of history -- a World War II tank that fought on both sides.

His Parents Had No Answers

Imgur

Imgur

As it turned out, Kasper's parents were at a complete loss, too. They had no idea what to make of the strange tracks on the ground or what the rope could be attached to. It was a mystery.

And the local mystery Kasper stumbled upon soon had the entire town interested.

More And More People Showed Up

Luke Porter/Unsplash

Luke Porter/Unsplash

Not long after Kasper brought his parents to Lake Kurtna Matasjarv, more townspeople showed up. They were curious what the young boy found on the off-beaten path of the Estonian Swamp.

They were going to need some serious muscle to get that muddy rope to budge out of the ground.

No One Knew What The Marks Were

Patrick Hendry/Unsplash

Patrick Hendry/Unsplash

The men of the town gathered around the swamp, inspecting the strange marks in the ground that Kasper had spotted earlier that day. They really had no clue what could have made them.

And the fact that they were covered with what looked like years of growth had them scratching their heads.

Heavy machinery was called in. Keep reading to learn what.

The Townspeople Tried The Rope, Too

Imgur

Imgur

Soon, the men spotted the rope Kasper had talked about. Some of the locals got a good grip and began to pull, thinking they could make it budge a bit more than the young boy.

While the rope came off the muddy ground easily enough, it seemed as though no amount of strength was going to make it budge.

There Was Something Under The Surface

Imgur

Imgur

While the tracks on the ground were strange and the rope was not close to budging from the earth, the townspeople knew one thing for sure -- there was definitely something submerged in the lake.

Now, it was just a matter of finding out what it was and getting the object topside.

They Needed Equipment

Vijay S/Unsplash

Vijay S/Unsplash

About a dozen strong men and women tried to pull the rope, thinking if they had enough power the object would make itself known. Alas, they were not strong enough.

They were going to need some serious equipment if they were going to extract whatever was beneath the surface of the lake.

Authorities Were Called

Freestocks/Unsplash

Freestocks/Unsplash

Once the townspeople realized there was no way they were going to unearth this mystery object by pulling on the rope, they decided it was time to call the authorities. They were sure to bring in some major manpower and equipment.

Then they would be able to pull the object from the water.

A Big Machine Was Sent To Help

Ronan Furuta/Unsplash

Ronan Furuta/Unsplash

It did not take long for the people standing around Lake Kurtna Matasjarv to hear something coming through the forest. The authorities had definitely sent some serious machinery to help out.

A massive bulldozer came through the trees, clearly on its way to pull the mystery object from the water.

The townspeople were determined. Stay tuned to learn their next plan of action.

The Bulldozer Went To Work

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Imgur

Tying the muddy rope to the bulldozer, the townspeople stood around and waited to see what would happen. Well, some waited while others thought they could be of use to the massive machine, grabbing some of the rope and hauling alongside the bulldozer.

Amazingly, between the huge bulldozer and the people, the object did not budge. Whatever was under the surface of Lake Kurtna Matasjarv was clearly massive. Sadly, they had no idea how to extract something that large and heavy.

But they were determined. And when there is a will, there is a way!

It Was Time To Bring In More Vehicles

Chandler Cruttenden/Unsplash

Chandler Cruttenden/Unsplash

By this time, the townspeople had realized there was more than one rope on the muddy swamp floor. And while attaching them all to the bulldozer did little to nothing, they soon came up with a plan.

People rushed back into town, bringing their own vehicles to Lake Kurtna Matasjarv. Tying ropes to each of the vehicles, including the bulldozer, the townspeople were all going to pull at the same time. The hope was that the sheer number of vehicles and their horsepower was going to be enough to bring the mystery object to the surface. And that was not all they did.

Even Kasper Helped Out

Erwan Hesry/Unsplash

Erwan Hesry/Unsplash

Connecting steel cables to the ropes, manpower, and a whole lot of horsepower, it took the townspeople a solid eight hours to make any progress with the mystery object. Even Kasper lent a tiny hand where he could!

Like everyone, he wanted to see what was beneath the water of the lake. He'd been the one to discover it, after all!

Finally, It Budged

Imgur

Imgur

Eight hours and a lot of work later, the townspeople finally felt something under the surface of the water budge. After that, all it took was a few tough pulls from everyone working on the extraction to see something breach the lake.

They could not believe they'd finally pulled the mystery object up!

The Bulldozer Gave One Last Pull

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Imgur

The work was not over yet. Only a small portion of the object was showing. So, people went down to the muddy part of the lake and began to dig.

After a little while, the bulldozer gave one last tug, and the mystery object finally popped out of the water.

An Open Hatch Was Revealed

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Imgur

There was a collective gasp, and the object breached the surface. A lot of people knew what it was right away, while others were still confused. Either way, they ran to grab a hose to wash the hardened mud off the object.

After a few minutes, the clean object revealed an open hatch.

Coming up soon: a picture of the entire tank.

There Was A White Symbol On The Side

Imgur

Imgur

The people were exhausted, but they'd come too far to give up now. Washing away more and more of the mud, they'd finally revealed an all-to-familiar white symbol, something from World War II. They had to be sure of what they saw, though.

And, with one last dig and haul, they finally managed to get the massive metal object to the surface.

It Was A World War II Tank

Imgur

Imgur

Fighting against the mud and people pulling it from the lake, everyone fell silent when they realized what was standing before them -- a World War II tank. They had just discovered a piece of history buried deep beneath the surface of Lake Kurtna Matasjarv in the Estonian Swamp.

It was beyond amazing.

No One Knew How It Wound Up In The Lake

Imgur

Imgur

After the initial shock of unearthing a tank wore off, everyone had one question on their mind: how did a World War II tank wind up buried in Lake Kurtna Matasjarv?

The lake it was in was located in the middle of nowhere. But the tank wasn't the only thing the people found.

Kasper Spotted Ammunition

Imgur

Imgur

Beyond excited, Kasper ran straight up to the tank to peer inside. Something inside the tank, floating in the water, caught his eye, something shiny. Looking at his mom, he asked, "Mom? Are those big bullets?"

It did not take long for Kasper to feel arms grabbing him and pulling him off and away from the tank.

They Heard Sirens

Muzamil Mattoo/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Muzamil Mattoo/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Inside the tank, there was ammunition rolling around! There was a chance they could still be dangerous, and Kasper's mom was taking zero chances when it came to her young son.

Apparently, Kasper's mom wasn't the only one who found the tank dangerous. Not long after it was revealed, sirens began to wail, and a camouflaged truck rolled to a stop.

Stay tuned to learn the history surrounding the tank.

It Took Two Weeks To Extract The Tank From The Lake

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Imgur

A man surveying the tank walked up to Kasper, saying, "You found it? I'm impressed. Well done. We need you to step back while we make sure it's safe."

It took two weeks for experts to check the tank and fully extract it from the lake. When they did, they began doing research.

It Was A Soviet-Built T34/76A

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Imgur

It turns out it was a Soviet-built T34/76A, and, amazingly, it was in pristine condition for being underwater for several decades. After looking at the white numbers and symbols further, experts believe the tank was captured by Germans and repainted with their own symbols.

In the end, the Germans probably dumped the tank in the lake so it couldn't be recaptured.

The Tank Was Pristine

Imgur

Imgur

According to experts, the tank was in such pristine condition due to the low oxygen levels in the swampy terrain, preserving the metal, so it didn't fully deteriorate.

The next question they had was if the tank was actually operational after all of those years of being under the water.

There Were 116 Pieces Of Ammunition

Imgur

Imgur

Curators from the nearby Gorodenko museum were amazed by the tank, especially its amazing condition. Restoring the tank, they found that the old diesel engine still worked, turning the tank on.

Not only that, but they also found 116 pieces of ammunition. Still, nothing answered the single question on their minds: what was the tank doing in that secluded area.

A Soviet Tank Captured By German Troops

Sergei BobylevTASS via Getty Images

Sergei BobylevTASS via Getty Images

As it turns out, some battles happened on the Eastern Estonia Narva front, with numerous soldiers and tanks making their way through the swampy marshlands where Lake Kurtna Matasjarv is located.

And, in the summer of 1944, it was in that location that the German forces captured the Soviet "Trophy Tank."

Soon, learn why the German troops discarded the tank in the lake.

The Tank Fought On Both Sides Of The War

TASS via Getty Images

TASS via Getty Images

The tank Kasper found is beyond rare, as it actually fought on both the German and Soviet sides during World War II. It was remarkable!

The curators discovered that it was only a short six weeks after the German troops initially captured the tank and discarded it in the lake.

The German Troops Didn't Want Them Getting The Tank Back

TASS via Getty Images

TASS via Getty Images

After a lot of research, the curators learned that the German troops began to retreat from the Narva front on September 19, 1944.

Not wanting their enemies to get their hands on weapons, they decided the best course of action was to dump the truck where no one could get their hands on it -- the lake.

The Tank Is Now Displayed In A Museum

Imgur

Imgur

The tank sat in its watery grave with its ammunition for decades. That is until a curious little boy took a path less traveled in the swampy marshlands of the Estonian Swamp.

Now, the T-34 World War II tank is proudly displayed in a war museum in the Gorodenko village.

John Sims wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary when he bought his new home located in a midtown neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. But buying the home turned into one of the most astonishing events of his life, thanks to a disturbing rumor about the house and a curiosity about it that just wouldn’t quit.

An Arizona Man Made An Amazing Backyard Discovery After Hearing A Rumor

Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images

Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images

Rumor had it that there was supposedly something buried in the backyard of the home John Sims just purchased, according to the home's previous owner.

John just couldn’t rest knowing that there could be a secret buried somewhere out there, and he set out to find it. Read on to learn more about John’s quest to unearth a decades-old mystery.

Handing Over The Keys

Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images

Jeffrey Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images

The house that John Sims bought was formerly owned by someone who was a friend. John felt secure in his purchase knowing that this friend had already lived there and would have told him if there was anything wrong with the house.

But after John closed on the property, his friend said something unexpected. He told John that there were weird rumors about the house, rumors that involved a mystery surrounding something that was supposedly buried in the backyard years earlier.

What To Do With This Knowledge?

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

John's friend, who had previously owned the house John just purchased, had told him an exciting, yet creepy, hint about the property. But it turns out that the friend had never invested the time to find out whether the rumors were true.

As John set about unpacking and the other routine tasks of settling into a new house, he couldn’t stop thinking about his friend’s words. He just had to find out for himself what was going on in his backyard.

The Mystery Was His To Discover

kelly bowden / Contributor / Getty

kelly bowden / Contributor / Getty

Now that he had become a bit obsessed with the hint of a mystery surrounding his new home, John realized that he was going to do whatever it took to get to the bottom of things. In fact, he'd been so intrigued when the friend first mentioned the home’s secret that he’d jokingly asked to borrow a shovel.

Soon he’d realize that it would take more equipment than a single shovel. And although John had no idea what exactly he was looking for, he decided to investigate.

No Idea Where To Start

Twitter/@TotoIlonggo

Twitter/@TotoIlonggo

John enjoyed thinking about the mystery encased in his backyard. What could it be? He knew it was possible that there was nothing to the rumor and that he might not find anything. But he also knew that he could end up finding something amazing.

Not able to stand the uncertainty anymore, John thought about what he was going to do next. He could fill in any holes and repair his lawn later. The task at hand was more important than his yard's appearance. So he got out a shovel and started to dig.

A Triple-Digit Threat

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

John was so determined to get to the bottom of these rumors that he was willing to overcome a lot of difficulties. Tucson, Arizona gets hot in the summer – as in triple digit hot. Those kind of conditions are dangerous to work in.

Many people would have given up at this point. But undeterred, John continued on with his mission. With his shovel in hand, he dug. And dug. He hoped this hard labor would pay off.

Holes Dotted The Yard

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John had no plans in place when he began his laborious digging. He just starting digging hole after hole in his backyard. After he had excavated four different holes, pretty much ruining his yard, John still hadn't found anything.

He started to worry that if there was in fact something to find out there, that he might have destroyed it with his digging. Disappointment set in and John temporarily gave up hope of finding his yard’s hidden mystery.

Idea Strikes

WikiMedia

WikiMedia

John's temporary discouragement and break from digging led him to think about his situation in a different light. He had a new idea, one that could finally help him locate his home’s mysterious treasure.

He tracked down Tucson’s municipal records and reviewed page after page until he located information about his own home. John was rewarded in a big way for all this intensive research. He received some more clues about what might be lurking under his lawn.

New Clues

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

The Tucson municipal records provided John with information he already knew, like the year his home had been built. But thanks to a rough sketch in the documents, John learned something new.

According to the records, a company called Whitaker Pools had applied for a permit to work at the property back in 1961 – more than 50 years earlier. But John's home didn’t have a pool. So what exactly had the pool company done there in 1961? The answer to that question surprised everyone.

The Mystery Deepens

Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images

Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images

Now that he had a sketch and more detailed information, John knew he had to go about his search in a more careful way. No more careless digging with his shovel based on his instincts alone! No, it was time to get serious.

So John hired a team of consultants, who arrived armed with all the proper tools including metal detectors. Hopefully, they were going to get to the bottom of this mystery once and for all.

Would The Metal Detectors Find Anything?

Pinterest/@minelabmetaldetectors

Pinterest/@minelabmetaldetectors

As the search turned more measured and focused, John hoped that he would soon learn whether those old, mysterious rumors about his new house were true. But as the team of consultants worked over different areas of his backyard, the metal detectors remained silent.

The tension mounted as it appeared that the consultants would also come up empty-handed in their search. But then the detectors began to go off. The sound was music to John's ears.

What did the metal detectors find?

Multiple Sites To Explore Further

GoFundMe/@John Sims

GoFundMe/@John Sims

John was overjoyed to hear the experts' metal detectors pinging in the hot Arizona air. And in further good news, the machines located not just one spot of interest, but two! After carefully marking both the locations in his backyard, John was able to briefly rest as he planned the next step of his search.

Now John’s efforts would be focused and he wouldn’t have to expend his efforts haphazardly. He could barely wait to discover what it was under his backyard.

The Shovel Comes Out Again

Pinterest/@jessicacirloganu

Pinterest/@jessicacirloganu

John grabbed his shovel and got back to the hot and difficult task of digging. This time, however, he knew exactly where to focus his efforts. With anticipation, he began to dig at the two spots that the metal detectors had located.

His work paid off quickly at the second site pinpointed by the consultants. It wasn't long at all before he felt his shovel hit something hard, and he heard the tell-tale scrape of metal against metal. John was so close to solving his backyard mystery.

Three Feet Down

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

John had been digging about three feet down into the earth when he first felt his shovel hit the metal object. While he was glad to finally discover something, he began to worry that it was a septic tank that he'd found.

Not only would a septic tank be a disappointing find after all this time and work, but it also meant that John had to be extra careful when he continued to dig around it. Damaging a septic tank or breaking a pipe would be very bad news, indeed.

Would John be rewarded for his efforts?

It Wasn't A Septic Tank!

YouTube/@freesoundeffects

YouTube/@freesoundeffects

He continued to dig, more carefully than before. To John's great delight, he realized that the object he’d found wasn’t a septic tank after all. No, it was something much, much more interesting than that.

He gingerly used his shovel to uncover the structure. It wouldn’t be long now before John’s discovery was out in the open and ready to inspect. The anticipation of this made the time pass quickly as John worked.

More Questions To Answer

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

John had finally determined that the thing buried under his new home's backyard wasn’t a septic tank. But now that he had uncovered a substantial part of the structure and could visually examine it, there seemed to be even more questions to answer than when he started his journey.

The concrete form that John had unearthed appeared to be something resembling an entryway. But where did it lead, and how did you get into it?

Closer To Getting In

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John was astonished to see that his backyard contained an entryway or portal of some sort, buried deep under the ground. He was so close to getting to the bottom of the mystery!

He continued to clear the area of earth and discovered that the entry had a hatch with a lid. He carefully pried the lid off, but his work as a fire department captain had taught him that it wasn't safe to enter the opening just yet.

A Long Day Of Waiting

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

You can probably imagine how excited John was to finally get some answers about his backyard's hidden secret. But waiting a day was necessary. His fire department training had taught him about the dangers of confined spaces.

The area could be filled with mold that could be very harmful to inhale, or toxic fumes. John also knew that he needed to have several people around when he finally went underground, to assist if the structure collapsed or if he became trapped somehow.

The Moment Of Truth Had Arrived For John

GoFundMe/@John Sims

GoFundMe/@John Sims

After a wait that must have felt excruciating, it was finally time for John to enter the hidden space beyond the hatch. The moment of truth had arrived for this backyard explorer – he was going to learn what exactly was down there.

John got down and cautiously looked into the hole framed by the metal hatch. The sight that met his curious eyes was completely unexpected! So what was it?

What Is It?

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

When John first looked down through the hatch, he was completely astonished at what he saw. It appeared to be an arrangement of sharp metal blades. What could their purpose be?

It wasn't long before his eyes adjusted and he was able to make out what it was that he was really looking at. The seemingly random metal blades were actually part of a spiral staircase, leading even deeper down into the earth under John’s property.

A Risky Proposition

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

In his anticipation, John might have rushed right down the spiral staircase that he'd just uncovered in his backyard. After all, the truth behind the mystery was so close he could almost touch it.

But he did not. It was both his training as a fire captain and his good common sense that stopped John from entering the underground space that he’d found right on his own property. There were just too many risks involved.

Satisfaction, Delayed

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

What were the risks of simply walking down the spiral steps leading down into the earth? Well, for starters the structure just wasn't stable. It had been built more than 50 years before John uncovered it, and he had no idea what condition it might be in.

And second, John knew it was best if there were people with him when he finally went down the hatch. They could help him out if he became trapped or if the structure collapsed. So he assembled a team of friends to help him make the structure safe to enter.

He made a plan.

A Plan Comes Together

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John was playing it safe with his backyard find. Even though he was filled with excitement at the prospect of finally solving the mystery, he knew that his safety was more important than immediate gratification.

Along with his trusted friends, John came up with a strategy to proceed into the underground space safely. Their patient planning was soon going to pay off in a very big and unexpected way. And luckily they documented the discovery along the way to share the details of their findings.

Preparing The Passageway

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

John had no earthly idea what condition the structure might be in, after sitting unused for decades. So he knew that he and his friends needed to reinforce the entire concrete entrance and repair it where necessary.

The spiral staircase leading down into the underground space also needed some serious attention. The metal steps were almost completely rusted through and not safe to stand on yet. They could even collapse if someone tried to use them in their current condition.

Regardless of these necessary delays, John was getting closer to solving the mystery!

Solid As A Rock

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John Sims and his friends widened and reinforced the entryway around the stairs with new rebar and multiple layers of concrete. To ensure entrants' safety, this step was absolutely necessary. The risk of a structural collapse was too great otherwise.

Their curiosity and excitement kept them going as they poured layer after layer of concrete. And their task was made all the more unbearable in the Arizona heat. They put up a tent to help block the sun and keep the temperature relatively cool.

Still A Couple Of Tasks Ahead

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John is obviously the type of person who thinks ahead. He knew that when he was finally, at long last, able to enter the mystery structure in his backyard he needed to be able to see. Many people would just rush ahead with a flashlight, but not John.

So he installed an electrical line that would allow for the space to be illuminated. He and his friends could also use power tools down there if necessary, once the electrical line was complete.

A Breath Of Fresh Air

YouTube/@youshouldknow

YouTube/@youshouldknow

As we've read, John’s work as a firefighter made him very aware of the danger of tight, enclosed spaces. Mold and gas leaks were a major concern in the 50-year-old structure he was about to enter.

John and his friends placed a pipe in the entryway. It would funnel fresh air down into the space, making things that much safer when they finally got to go in. It was almost time for everyone to see the secret that had long been hidden in John’s backyard.

One Last Step

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

Unfortunately, John and his friends weren't able to repair that rusty spiral staircase yet – they’d have to be fixed from within the space. It was too risky to put any weight on the steps, since no one knew how sturdy they might be. So how would people descend into the space safely?

John had the solution. He got a tall ladder and securely placed it in the entryway. He was finally going to learn what was down there.

The Wait Was Over

YouTube/@John Sims

YouTube/@John Sims

At long last, John got to uncover the secret that he'd heard his friend talk about. He’d been nearly obsessed with learning the truth behind the rumor and had worked very hard to get to this moment.

He was about to climb down the ladder and into the mysterious hole in his backyard — the first person in 50 years to do so! As John descended, his imagination ran wild. Just what was he about to see?

Stepping Down Into Space

Pinterest/@Dawoed Watanbacha

Pinterest/@Dawoed Watanbacha

John lowered himself down the ladder, rung by rung, as his excitement grew. He stepped off the ladder and was finally rewarded for all his hard work.

He was shocked to learn that there was a vast room deep underneath his backyard! And it was in good shape, complete with a solid floor. But that wasn't all. In fact, there was an entire system of tunnels forming a complex down there!

The Rumors Had Been True

YouTube/@John Sims

YouTube/@John Sims

John's friend, the former owner of the house John recently purchased, had told him about the existence of a secret buried deep in the backyard. Through research, John had learned that the structure in question had been built by a company called Whitaker Pools.

But this underground cavern was clearly not a pool. The year it was constructed, 1961, was a huge clue to the structure’s intended purpose. And John knew what that purpose was as soon as he laid eyes on the space.

The Years Had Taken Their Toll

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

Although the structure seemed to be in pretty good shape given its age, one thing was a giveaway to John that he still had some work to make the space safe. The clue was in the fiberglass ceiling.

Fiberglass can be extremely toxic to people if they breathe it in, and is an irritant to bare skin. And the fiberglass in the ceiling was coming apart – not a good thing at all. But it was something that could be repaired, fortunately. And John wasn't ready to give up on his new find anyway, after all the work he had put in.

A Relic Of The Cold War

Pinterest/@arizonadailystar

Pinterest/@arizonadailystar

The structure below John Sims' house, although huge, was empty of furnishings or any other décor. It became obvious immediately that the underground bunker was built as a nuclear fallout shelter.

Many people had grown fearful, even paranoid, during the period of Cold War hostilities between the Soviet Union and the U.S., and had built backyard shelters as a result. But why had a company called Whitaker Pools built a nuclear bunker?

Doing Double Work

YouTube/@noahjoseph

YouTube/@noahjoseph

It turns out that Whitaker Pools had responded to consumer demand during the Cold War and had added building backyard shelters to its list of services. In fact, this was pretty common across the country.

As pool builders realized that building fallout shelters wasn't all that different from building inground pool shells, many of them expanded their operations accordingly. By 1961, one Los Angeles company called Catalina Pools had built 500 shelters!

A New Underground Opportunity

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

What would you do if you discovered that you had an enormous maze of rooms buried right in your own backyard? How would you use the space? John's friends had some fun ideas for him, including a cigar bar, wine cellar, or "man cave."

Other people around the world have converted old bunkers into beautiful modern homes, hotels, art galleries, and recording studios. But John had something different in mind for his backyard treasure.

John Connected To Others With Backyard Shelters

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

After posting about his shelter online, John Sims learned that he was in good company. His post on Reddit went viral, and he began connecting to others who have backyard fallout shelters.

His interest in these shelters, and the Cold War era, has grown. In fact, he has special plans to turn his own historical bunker into a museum of sorts – meaning he has a lot of work ahead of him. So what was the next step for John?

We'll learn more about John’s future plans for the shelter in just a bit.

It Started With A GoFundMe Page

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John's next step in restoring his bunker to its former glory was setting up a GoFundMe page. He wrote, "Hi, I’m John and I need some help restoring a vintage Fallout Shelter that I have uncovered in my back yard.“

He was specifically looking for assistance in reconstructing the shelter’s entryway, since that needed to be done before he could start making repairs and improvements downstairs. He elaborated, “the upper entry needs a large concrete pour to secure the entry and the metal circular staircase needs to be replaced." John estimated that the project would cost around $2,000.

The Stairway Is Complete!

GoFundMe/@John Sims

GoFundMe/@John Sims

Although John's GoFundMe campaign was widely shared and he received several hundred dollars in donations, the goal of raising $2,000 for the stairway rebuild ultimately fell short. Of course, that didn’t stop John from proceeding with his plans! He even took time off from his job to work on the all-important staircase.

After sharing a series of updates on the project, John reported that the entry area was finally done: "Stairs are finished! Now it’s easy and safe to climb in and out." He also posted a photo of the completed stairs, which are painted an appealing shade of blue.

Now That The Stairs Are Complete

GoFundMe/@John Sims

GoFundMe/@John Sims

On his GoFundMe page, John shared further details for his shelter now that the staircase and entryway are done. "My plans are to clean up the interior, repaint it and turn it into a really cool man cave, HAM shack,and Civil Defense Museum."

He continued, “Once I started this project I researched a bunch about the Cold War period and how the civilian fears prompted many people to build these shelters.” Discovering this bunker has clearly made a big impact on John's life!

Stocking The Shelter With History

Imgur/@captantarctica

Imgur/@captantarctica

John has already begun amassing supplies and props for the museum portion of his backyard shelter. He says that he's found artifacts like water supply barrels, Geiger counters, HAM radios, and sanitation kits to display.

Pictured here are some of the items John plans to display at his museum. It’s impressive that he was able to get a hold of so many vintage pieces that were in excellent condition to teach others.