Oak Ridge was established by the Federal Government. First known as the Manhattan Project, it was secretly developed for the purpose of making nuclear weapons which were used to end World War II. In the beginning of the city's history, approximately 75,000 people were brought from all over the United States and the world to construct the facilities and to work in the federal and city installations.
Located in the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee, the city of Oak Ridge did not exist until 1942. However, it would play an important role in ending World War II. President Roosevelt ordered the "Manhattan Project" in order to build an atomic bomb since Germany had declared war against the United States after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. In September of 1942, 60,000 acres in East Tennessee was selected for three facilities which met the requirements for security, water, electric power, labor, and transportation. As many as 80,000 construction workers began a race against time to build three mystery plants to be known as K-25, Y-12, and X-10. Houses were built at a rate of two per minute. Originally planned for a population of 13,000, Oak Ridge grew to over 75,000 in less than three years ultimately producing the two atomic bombs that helped end World War II.
Opened to the public in 1949, Oak Ridge is now known throughout the world for its scientific research and development in energy, nuclear research, materials, and medical and environmental research with a population near 27,310. The X-10 site was renamed Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). By the summer of 1944, the primary goal of the war effort was achieved and the laboratory was transformed into the first well rounded institution for nuclear research.
Oak Ridge was established by the Federal Government. First known as the Manhattan Project, it was secretly developed for the purpose of making nuclear weapons which were used to end World War II. In the beginning of the city's history, approximately 75,000 people were brought from all over the United States and the world to construct the facilities and to work in the federal and city installations.
since Germany had declared war against the United States after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. In September of 1942, 60,000 acres in East Tennessee was selected for three facilities which met the requirements for security, water, electric power, labor, and transportation. As many as 80,000 construction workers began a race against time to build three mystery plants to be known as K-25, Y-12, and X-10. Houses were built at a rate of two per minute. Originally planned for a population of 13,000, Oak Ridge grew to over 75,000 in less than three years ultimately producing the two atomic bombs that helped end World War II.
