What lies beneath: data storage!

So here's something we didn't know about: a 40,000-square-foot bunker built in Montgomery County by a Chinese oilman who was afraid of another world war. It sounds like a fascinating place, and it's becoming Continental Airlines' new backup operations center. The airline has chosen the bunker as the location for its backup computers and data systems that would monitor Continental flights if a citywide disaster puts Continental's downtown command center out of operation.

The shelter, located just east of the Havens Landing RV Resort near Montgomery, was built in the 1980s to accommodate 1,500 people for up to 90 days in case of a nuclear attack. It has its own utilities and even a morgue and jail — all 50 feet underground. "It's virtually impenetrable," Continental spokeswoman Julie King told KHOU. The shelter is managed by the Westlin Corp., which advertises it as one of the most secure places in southeast Texas; Westlin leases space in the facility to companies looking for safe places to store data. Among the tenants are Anadarko Petroleum and the Montgomery County government.

Above ground, Continental retrofitted 15,000 square feet to house 275 employees in case of an emergency — they won't be 50 feet under, but they will be on high ground protected by bulletproof glass (!). The underground data storage area would be staffed by several Continental IT employees if a Category 3 or stronger hurricane threatens the Houston area, King said.