Near Edgemont, South Dakota, hundreds of former military bunkers have been transformed into unusual private homes. The structures were originally built during the early 1940s as part of the Black Hills Army Depot, where more than 500 reinforced concrete bunkers were used to store military ammunition. Nearby, the town of Igloo once supported workers and their families with schools, medical facilities, and other services, but the military site eventually closed and the town became a ghost town. The buried concrete bunkers remained, later finding a completely different purpose.
Decades later, growing interest in off-grid living and emergency preparedness brought new attention to the abandoned structures. In 2016, part of the former depot was purchased and developed into Vivos xPoint, a community where people can lease bunkers and turn them into residences. Each bunker has a tunnel-like design, reinforced concrete walls, and a blast-resistant steel entrance. The interiors are initially unfinished, meaning residents must invest in insulation, ventilation, lighting, plumbing, and other features to make the spaces comfortable. “The earth surrounding the bunkers naturally buffers against extreme weather,” helping create relatively stable indoor temperatures.
Living underground also requires creative solutions for everyday necessities. Because the homes have very limited windows, residents rely heavily on LED lighting and designs that imitate natural daylight. Electricity can come from solar panels, wind turbines, and backup generators, while water systems require filtration and storage. Waste may be handled through septic or composting systems. These homes can provide strong privacy and protection from severe weather, but residents must also accept the responsibilities that come with remote, self-sufficient living.
Inside, owners have transformed the plain concrete spaces into comfortable homes using reclaimed wood, modern lighting, efficient appliances, bedrooms, work areas, and open living spaces. Some properties also include solar arrays, gardens, and outdoor areas. The underground setting can help conserve energy because surrounding soil provides natural insulation. At the same time, residents may face challenges such as limited natural light, isolation, maintenance costs, and the need to manage their own utilities and access roads.
The bunker community represents an unusual example of adaptive reuse, turning former military infrastructure into modern housing. It combines history, privacy, technology, and off-grid independence in a setting far removed from traditional neighborhoods. While this lifestyle is not suitable for everyone, the homes demonstrate how abandoned structures can be redesigned for entirely new purposes. As interest grows in resilient and alternative housing, these underground residences near Edgemont offer a fascinating look at what unconventional home living can become.
