If you’re like many people, you know that Oak Ridge was once known as the “Secret City.” However, the history books leave out a lot of detail on this thriving community – and although it’s a suburban city now with beautiful homes, spectacular landscapes and so much more, it wasn’t always this way. Check out the not-so-commonly-known history of Oak Ridge.
Oak Ridge: Why Was it Called the “Secret City”?
Oak Ridge was actually the first – and the largest – of three sites the U.S. government built to support the Manhattan Project. The government chose it for its remote location in the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee, and it was the main location researchers and scientists descended upon in 1942 to try to develop technology that would end World War II.
It was called the “Secret City” not only because most people didn’t know about it, but because everything that went on there was supposed to be kept quiet. In fact, a sign just outside the town said, “What you see here, what you do here, what you hear here – when you leave here, let it stay here.”
Oak Ridge was truly a delightful place. There were places to swim at the lake, a library, more than a dozen grocery stores and even an orchestra, dance halls and other entertainment venues. Families lived in the community – the families of researchers, scientists and government officials – and children went to school here. The population swelled from just 3,000 to 75,000 within three short years.
The catch to all of that idyllic living was that everyone was quarantined. There were guard towers on the outskirts of town, topping the perimeter fence; everyone needed a badge to get back in.
In the center of the city, where you’ll find modern-day Jackson Square, is where the town’s original town site was located. During World War II, the whole area was always buzzing – everything was open 24 hours. And just a short walk from there, you’ll find the Alexander Inn, which was built to house official visitors while the Manhattan Project was in full swing.
The Secret City Commemorative Walk
The Secret City Commemorative Walk in Bissell Park was created to honor the thousands of people who moved to the city to help end World War II. You’ll find ten bronze plaques along the way, each explaining part of Oak Ridge’s story and its role during the war. You can explore what life was like by reading eight bronze markers, as well. You can also go on a tour hosted by the American Museum of Science and Energy, which includes the old graphite reactors and the Y-12 museum for $5 per person.
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