Cold War Missile Silo Beneath West Texas, Now A Home

Every once in a while, an interview takes me somewhere I never expected to go. This one took me into a missile silo roughly 45 feet beneath West Texas. But it went deeper than that.

I recently sat down with Steven Savage of Stinky Steve’s Septic and Grease. However, septic tanks weren’t the biggest underground objects we discussed. About eight years ago, Savage purchased an actual Cold War-era missile silo and then invited me to tour the place.

Obviously, I said yes. You don’t turn down a chance to explore a nuclear missile silo unless your hobbies include being boring.

A Cold War Missile Site Connected to Dyess Air Force Base

This is Atlas F Site 578-11, one of 12 missile complexes once operated in a ring around Abilene by the 578th Strategic Missile Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base.

MORE: Tour Dyess AFB Air Park Virtually

The site housed an SM-65F Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile and became operational in 1962. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Dyess missile sites were placed on high alert. The Atlas program at Dyess was deactivated in 1965, leaving behind one seriously massive piece of West Texas history.

Steven Savage Actually Lives Inside the Missile Complex

When Savage bought the property, the underground complex was flooded. He has since pumped out the water and renovated the first two levels of the former living and control area.

And yes, he lives there.

The first level serves as his living space. Down another level is a massive game room filled with arcade machines, skateboard decks, and some seriously cool lighting. It feels like the ultimate underground man cave, except this one once helped support a nuclear missile capable of traveling thousands of miles. Your buddy’s garage suddenly doesn’t seem quite as impressive.

Looking Down Into a 180-Foot Missile Silo

Once we entered the actual silo area, everything changed.

The decades of rust were everywhere, and the air carried a strong metallic, almost sulfur-like smell. Savage rigged up lighting that allowed us to see surprisingly far into the enormous structure. There is still some water at the very bottom, but I was able to get a hell of a look down inside.

Savage still has an incredible amount of work ahead of him. Additional levels remain buried beneath debris and years of deterioration, while much of the silo itself is still waiting to be restored.

Still, standing inside that monster and looking into the darkness was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. Check out my photos from the tour and listen to my full interview with Steven Savage below, because this place is absolutely freaking awesome!