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Atomic Survival Town

A picture-perfect town, perfect for blowing up.

Nye County, Nevada

Operation Teapot, April 15, 1955   National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office
House at the Nevada Test Site   Department of Defense, National Archives at College Park
Sign outside the Nevada National Security Site   Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0
Outside the Nevada Test Site   Top Secret Bases
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In 1955 a series of 14 nuclear test explosions known as "Operation Teapot" were set off in the Nevada desert at Yucca Flat.

The most memorable part of the tests were the purpose-built homes and other structures set at varying distances from the blasts to test the impact and effects of the explosions, known collectively as "Survival Town" – or, slightly less optimistically, "Doom Town."

The most disturbing element of the fake town was its citizens: the homes were populated by 1950s picture-perfect mannequin families, bravely facing their imminent doom while going about their daily routines in dapper outfits. Thousands of spectators watched the blasts from what was thought to be a safe distance. (Note: it was not a safe distance.)

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Know Before You Go

The Nevada Test Site is located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas on US-95. Public tours are available.

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Published

December 24, 2012

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Nuclear Manhattan Project Disaster Areas Ruins

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