Supernatural chronicles the extraordinary journey of Sam and Dean Winchester over 15 years, centered around their mission to safeguard lives and confront a multitude of supernatural creatures across the United States. Since its debut in 2005 and concluding in 2020, the show has witnessed significant evolution, particularly evident from the first to the final season. A substantial shift occurred in the later seasons as the stakes escalated, giving rise to the introduction of alternate dimensions within the show’s expanding multiverse, marking a pivotal change in narrative direction.
Despite the escalating threats faced by the characters, Supernatural largely adhered to its foundational concept of two brothers embarking on a budget-friendly road trip. Their travels were symbolized by the legendary 1967 Chevrolet Impala, a vehicle that not only offered consistent transportation but also represented stability and comfort after the brothers lost their childhood home. A significant turning point occurred in season 8 when Sam and Dean uncovered the Men of Letters Bunker, a crucial location that would play a vital role in their subsequent adventures.
The Location & Origin of Supernatural’s Bunker
The Bunker Near the Winchester’s Home
The Bunker made its first appearance in season 8, episode 12, titled “As Time Goes By.” This episode brought Henry Winchester and the Men of Letters into focus. Notably, the Bunker is situated in Lebanon, Kansas, which happens to be the Winchesters’ hometown, a detail first established in the very first episode of the series. This enigmatic structure was once the headquarters of a secret society called the Men of Letters, who were tasked with recording and studying supernatural events. Constructed in 1932, the Bunker took three years to complete and initially conducted investigations into various supernatural phenomena, including a notable case involving Dorothy Baum, whose father was also a member of the organization.
Dorothy Baum, the daughter of L. Frank Baum—famous for writing the Wizard of Oz—was a hunter trapped within the Bunker for decades due to her entanglement with the formidable Wicked Witch. Her character is introduced in season 9, episode 4, “Slumber Party.”
According to Robert Singer, an executive producer of Supernatural, it was Adam Glass who proposed the idea of the Bunker, envisioning it as a central base for Sam and Dean. Its initial inhabitants, Peter Jenkins and James Haggerty, were integral in investigating Dorothy Baum’s disappearance along with the Wicked Witch. Ultimately, the Bunker became a home for the Winchester brothers, proving instrumental as a stronghold in the narrative of later seasons.
Rooms of the Bunker Revealed
The Bunker: A Complex Labyrinth
The Bunker comprises numerous rooms across multiple levels, presenting a puzzling layout for its inhabitants. Upon entering, one is greeted by a staircase leading to the main level, where the War Room and library are located. Branching pathways from the War Room lead to various living spaces, including bedrooms, showers, and storage rooms. Intriguingly, the Bunker houses a shooting range, a dungeon, a kitchen, a garage, and even an infirmary. The library, as the most frequently showcased room, serves as a gathering point for the Winchesters and was the setting for some of the series’ most poignant moments.
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Rooms in Supernatural’s Men of Letters Bunker |
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Name |
Use |
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War Room |
Equipped with a world map featuring a monster radar, antiques like a Ham Radio and Telegraph, and serving as a strategy center for the Winchesters. |
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Library |
A vast collection of books, relics, an interdimensional telescope, and a significant research area for the brothers. |
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Firing Range |
Redundant room featured in only one episode, equipped with basic targets for practice. |
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Room 7A |
Contents unknown; its door lies opposite a similarly numbered room. |
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Room 7B |
Archives housing traps and manacles, revealing a secret dungeon. |
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Room 11 |
Dean’s personal space, furnished for comfort and storage of hunting gear. |
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Room 15 |
Previously Mary Winchester’s room; adaptable to multiple occupants. |
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Room 21 |
Sam’s sleeping quarters, a place for rest and reflection after arduous hunts. |
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Room 22 |
Presumed to be Jack Kline’s room, complementary to the others. |
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Room 23: Kitchen |
A fully operational kitchen suited for both functionality and comfort. |
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Room 28, Level 2 |
A storage area for supplies and computing equipment vital for operations. |
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Room 32 |
A temporary residence for Gabriel, inscribed with his stories. |
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The Dean-Cave |
A recreational haven with entertainment devices and personal touches. |
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Garage |
Storage for vintage vehicles, including the iconic Impala. |
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Infirmary |
Medical facility equipped for emergencies, although rarely utilized. |
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Bathroom |
Basic facilities, including a unique bathtub used in significant plot moments. |
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Control Center |
A core technological hub for managing the Bunker’s mechanics. |
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Laundry Room |
Featured in the series finale, equipped with vintage laundry technology. |
Following the rescue of refugees from Apocalypse World, many found solace within the Bunker, turning it into a central location for their operations, with Sam stepping into a leadership role. Notably, the Bunker often welcomed guests, including Mitch Davies and Charlie Bradbury, though the exact number of unoccupied rooms remains unclear. There are at least 24 unaccounted for room numbers, indicating the Bunker’s potential for accommodating numerous guests, particularly in light of the increasing number of refugees.
How Sam & Dean Acquired the Bunker
Henry Winchester and the Men of Letters
Sam and Dean’s acquisition of the Bunker is deeply intertwined with their heritage. In 1958, Henry Winchester (their grandfather) stumbled upon a Men of Letters compound only to discover its members slain by the demon Abaddon. A survivor handed Henry a box bearing the Men of Letters emblem, enabling him to escape via a portal into the future. Upon reuniting with his grandsons, Henry attempted to return to his own time after realizing the heart-wrenching misunderstanding regarding his perceived abandonment of John.
Upon entering the Bunker, Sam and Dean were astonished to find it fully powered after years of neglect. They quickly transformed it into their new home.
Tragically, Henry’s attempt to return was cut short when Abaddon captured Sam, leading to Henry’s ultimate sacrifice to help the brothers defeat the demon. He entrusted Sam and Dean with the enigmatic box, previously revealed by Man of Letters Larry Ganem to be a key to a “supernatural mother lode.” The Bunker thus became a treasure trove of invaluable knowledge and resources for the Winchester brothers in their future hunts.
The Bunker’s Powers, Protection & Warding Explained
Secrets Guarded by the Men of Letters
The Bunker’s existence is fortified by powerful wards protecting the secrets of the Men of Letters. According to Larry Ganem, “It is warded against any evil ever created,” illustrating the high stakes involved. Designed predominantly by Cuthbert Sinclair, the Master of Spells, these protective measures kept the Bunker secure against numerous supernatural entities and creatures. Interestingly, despite these defenses, both Castiel and Jack were able to access the Bunker without issue, as the wards did not appear to guard against angels.
While the Bunker provided formidable protection against malevolent beings, it did allow entrance to more benign entities like angels and Zannas, though it barred powerful archangels. Additionally, the brothers appeared to permit the demon Crowley in without resistance.
This absence of strict warding against angels had dire consequences, as exemplified by the events leading to Kevin’s death at the hands of Gadreel in “Holy Terror.” Moreover, the Wood Nymph named Mrs. Butters, who acted as the Bunker’s guardian, bypassed the typical protections without concern. Nevertheless, several formidable beings, including Amara and Alternate Michael, breached the Bunker’s defenses, wreaking havoc within its walls, especially after Amara dismantled the celestial wards, allowing entities like God and Death to enter freely.
What Supernatural’s Bunker Contains
Archives of Unknown Objects
The Bunker serves as a repository for numerous archives and collections of scrolls, tomes, and artifacts vital for the Winchester brothers’ pursuits. Among its many treasures, it houses a rich collection of vintage vehicles, including the iconic Impala. The library’s shelves are filled with files documenting exorcisms from the past three centuries, alongside case studies, itemized records of hunters, esoteric spells, and mythological data. These resources have been instrumental in aiding Sam and Dean as they confront new threats and challenges.
During their exploration of the Bunker’s collections, Dean came across the Spear of Destiny, reminiscent of artifacts noted in “Constantine,” along with one of six Keys to Oz—a powerful item allowing swift transit to the magical world of Oz. Additionally, both brothers have contributed items from their journeys to the Bunker’s vast storage, including Dean’s Purgatory Blade, prominently displayed in his quarters. While the Bunker is noteworthy for its substantial archives of wisdom and artifacts, it primarily stands as a sanctuary and a critical haven for the Winchesters throughout their adventures in Supernatural.
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