Octopus’s garden

In 1978, the businessman Girard “Jerry” Henderson built a 16,500 square foot underground mansion in Las Vegas to be able to escape the dangers of the impending nuclear war that would be able to sustain life for a full year. The mansion features bomb- and earthquake-proof magnetic doors, a swimming pool, a putting green in the “garden”, two jacuzzis, a sauna, an outdoor BBQ grill inside a large fake rock, a dance floor, a guest house, adjustable light settings to match various times of the day and a hand-painted 360-degree mural.

In 1964, Henderson pioneered underground living and sponsored the Underground Home exhibit at the New York World’s Fair. On this occasion, Henderson’s friend, the musician Johnny Mann, released a song called “At the bottom of the fair”. I couldn’t find it, but I am sure it goes a little something like this:

I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’ garden in the shade
He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’ garden in the shade

I’d ask my friends to come and see
An octopus’ garden with me
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’ garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus’ garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can’t be found
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’ garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe
(Happy and they’re safe)

We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’ garden with you.