As I listen and watch various programs featuring pundits and prognosticators prophesying the demise of our country and life as we know it, I am developing a Yogi Berra sense of “déjà vu all over again.” We are told to prepare for the worst by having secure habitats and many months’ supplies of food. Those of us with the good fortune to have lived eight to nine decades have experienced similar warnings several times.
As I recall, there was a period during the 1950s or 60s when concern was expressed about other nations that had or were developing nuclear weapons that might be used to destroy the USA. The preparation advice was similar to what we are hearing currently.
Going back a few more decades, there was WWII when the threat was a possible attack by the German military. In Rochester, I recall signs on buildings indicating they were “bomb shelters.” Watchtowers were built in strategic areas, including one in Hilton. They were staffed by volunteer spotters. Presumably, the military felt an aerial attack would or could come across Lake Ontario. Air raid drills were held at spontaneous times of day and night. If we were in school, we were told to get down under our desks, which might afford a little protection from falling debris, should a bomb land nearby. If the drill was after dark, all lights had to be turned off, and a local Air Warden patrolled the roads and streets to enforce that law.
At that time, citizens were also warned to be prepared, and the government built up various supply depots. One of those was the Hilton Milling and Cold Storage facility, which was ideal due to the heavy concrete used in its construction. One of the items stored there was drinking water in plastic bags inside a metal can, each holding 17.5 gallons.
At some point, it was decided that these supplies were no longer vital, and they became available to the public. Many of the metal drums wound up as trash cans, burning barrels, or, as in our case, a rodent-proof container for keeping chicken feed in our granary. Yep, it is still in use and is what prompted this story.
