Built-in Bomb Shelters

Service with the Ventura County Civil Defense Organization convinced Californian Richard Doremus that residential nuclear fallout shelters are essential to the nation's total defense. Experience as a home builder convinced Doremus that he was the man to get things going in the "Exhibit Homes" development he was building in the Los Angeles suburbia of San Fernando Valley. For prospective buyers of his $29,500 to $31,500 houses, Doremus offered a bomb shelter under the garage for $1,100 extra. The small (8 ft.

by 10 ft.) shelter would have a concrete and steel roof 2 ft. thick, 6-in. concrete walls, and would be equipped with a handoperated air pump. After being properly stocked with food, said Doremus, it could house a family of six for six weeks. Doremus pointed out that in peacetime, the shelter could be put to use as a storeroom or photographic darkroom.

Of the 26 buyers in the Doremus development at Thousand Oaks since the shelter offer was announced, a surprising 20 have ordered shelters. Doremus is planning a new subdivision, will offer bomb shelters with those houses too.

-"Some people are enthusiastic about the idea," says Exhibit Homes Vice President Louis Towne, "while others take the position that we simply are not going to have a war. There's still the need for great public education on this issue."

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