What’s Hidden Beneath the White House?
The White House is one of the most famous and instantly recognizable buildings in the world. Even if you’ve never actually taken the public tour of the East Wing and the Residence, you’re likely still familiar with much of the building through news broadcasts, documentaries, movies, and TV series — although the latter two are normally shot on soundstages in Hollywood.
But beneath the pristine North Lawn and the Ionic columns of America’s most famous residence lies a world that few will ever see. Under the White House, hidden from the general public, is a surprising amount of infrastructure providing an eclectic array of services, from secret tunnels to high-tech command centers and even a florist.
Presidential Emergency Operations Center
The most famous feature hidden beneath the White House is the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). It was originally constructed as a relatively simple bunker during World War II to protect President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the event of an aerial attack on Washington, D.C. The bunker was later used during the 9/11 attacks, when a number of key personnel were evacuated from their offices in the White House to the PEOC. Afterward, extensive renovations turned the PEOC — located under the East Wing and accessible via a secret elevator — into a far more sophisticated control center. While we don’t know the extent of what’s down there, we do know that there are televisions, phones, and all the necessary communications facilities for managing emergency situations.
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Tunnel Network
It’s believed that an extensive tunnel system connects the White House to other key government buildings, though the total length remains classified. One confirmed tunnel runs for 761 feet and connects the East Wing to a secret basement of the adjacent Treasury Building. There are also rumors of tunnels connecting the White House to the Capitol, the Blair House (also known as the President’s Guest House), Number One Observatory Circle (the official residence of the vice president), the Pentagon, and even Camp David — but these are all unsubstantiated for now.
Florist
High-tech bunkers, secret tunnels, and… a florist? Indeed, there is a small but fully functional flower shop in the basement of the White House, beneath the North Portico. Here, the Chief Floral Designer and their team design arrangements for public and private spaces throughout the mansion, often coordinating the colors to complement those of specific rooms. They also create spectacular centerpieces for special events such as state dinners.
Bowling Alley
One of the not-so-secret underground additions to the White House is the bowling alley, but there are actually two. The first was a two-lane alley built for President Truman in 1947. Originally located in the West Wing, it was later moved to the basement of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the area of the White House compound housing offices for staffers. A separate single-lane bowling alley for use by the first family and guests lies under the North Portico of the White House, this one added by bowling fanatic Richard Nixon in 1969.
Dental Office
A well-equipped dental office is located in the basement beneath the North Portico, ensuring that the president can get regular check-ups or emergency dental care without leaving the White House grounds. In 2023, President Joe Biden was taken to the underground office complaining of a toothache. The dental team took some X-rays and determined that a root canal was in order — which was then successfully carried out below ground.
