They built it discretely in 1954: a ranch home standard for the time.Â
The 2,600-square-foot house, a shed and a barn perched on a high hill overlooking the Lincoln Air Force Base, resembled other farmsteads.
From the air, the 19-acre property at Northwest 70th and West Adams streets didn't appear out of the ordinary — and that's the way they wanted it.Â
But its construction is peculiar -- heavy concrete block cast deep into the ground, topped with cast-in-place upper walls and covered with fake brick and small windows. A fake shingle roof added to the disguise.
It was built like that for a reason.Â
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In 1942, Lincoln's municipal airport was converted to an Army air field after the United States entered World War II. More than 40,000 airmen were mobilized through the base and 25,000 mechanics trained there before it was deactivated immediately after the war.Â
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But just a decade later, it was reactivated as a military base during the Cold War.Â
At the height of hysteria over Soviet nuclear capability and mutually assured destruction, Lincoln and Omaha were thought to be prime targets.
Omaha for its position as Strategic Air Command and Lincoln for its prominent air strip -- one of the longest in the country -- and nearby missile silos.
Across the city and country, nuclear fallout shelters were built, students were taught how to duck and cover themselves under desks, and the military was activating, just in case the Cold War turned hot.
In 1954, the federal government bought the parcel of land high on the hill west of the Air Force base, according to documents.
They built the home there, reinforced with concrete, said Ed Zimmer, historic planner for the city.Â
Because its location was kept secret, there's not much documentation, but Zimmer believes it was a backup command center if the base was attacked.
Metal-covered walkways that connect the house to outbuildings on the property may have been used to conceal activity from prying eyes.Â
After the air base was deactivated in 1967, the place was sold to Walter E. Johnson, who was in the Air Force and later operated gas stations in town, Zimmer said. He and his wife renovated the house and lived in it for years. Both have died since, making research difficult, Zimmer said.
And the compound has changed hands at least twice since they owned it.
David Bratcher of Arizona, who buys communication towers, was the most recent owner.
He could not be reached, but records show he wants to sell the home to immigrants from the former Soviet Union who want to operate a business on the property.
If the deal goes through, the result will be a private American business run by Ukrainians on property built by the Air Force during the Cold War.Â
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Dimitry Osiychuk and his family have a contract to buy the land and buildings.
The Osiychuks, who immigrated from the Ukraine, run a business that takes apart cars and sells usable parts, mostly over the Internet.
Dimitry Osiychuk said the business started in the basement of his mother's home in 2008 and now operates out of space near Northwest 27th and West O streets. Growth has led to the need for expansion, he said.
The old Air Force site is ideal for the business, he said, because it would allow the family to consolidate its disassembly, warehouse and office operations at one site. Osiychuk plans to live in a house on the property.
Although the buildings on the 19-acre site are not architecturally significant, Zimmer said, their mere presence has historic significance because they represent Lincoln's role in the Cold War.
That's why the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission designated the home a historic landmark Wednesday. Commissioners also approved a special permit to allow the business to operate.
The significance of the proposal is not lost on Zimmer.
"This Cold War building would be purchased by Ukrainian immigrants who will operate a very American business."
Reach Jordan Pascale at 402-473-7120 or jpascale@journalstar.com. Reach Matt Olberding at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.