Presidential Emergency Operations Center, Military bunker beneath White House, Washington DC, United States
The Presidential Emergency Operations Center is a military bunker beneath the East Wing and North Lawn of the White House in Washington. The structure extends through two underground floors with rooms for communication and coordination.
Franklin Roosevelt ordered construction of the facility after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. The building work took place during World War II under strict secrecy.
The term operations center reflects its role as a protected space for decisions of the highest importance. Officials work inside rooms below ground level during moments of national danger.
Two elevators connect the upper areas of the complex with the lower floors. Access remains limited to authorized personnel and is not open to visitors.
During the September 11 attacks Vice President Dick Cheney directed government response from these rooms. Steel-reinforced walls and filtration systems protect the space against outside threats.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
