Atomic City

“Oak Ridge was established in the early 1940s as a base for the Manhattan Project— the massive U.S. government operation that developed the atomic bomb. [Its’] nicknames are the Atomic City, the Secret City, The Ridge and the City Behind the Fence.”

First, I’ve never met the Oak Ridge Boys. They aren’t actually from here:

The original group, based in Knoxville, TN, began performing country and gospel music in nearby Oak Ridge where the atomic bomb was being developed. They called themselves the Oak Ridge Quartet, and they began regular Grand Ole Opry appearances in the fall of ‘45. In the mid-’50s, they were featured in Time magazine as one of the top drawing gospel groups in the nation.

We do have a street named after them, though.

The gates that secured the road into Oak Ridge are still there, but haven’t been in use since the ’50s. After 9/11, They did re-close the roads running past the labs.

From the river to the gates, the city of Oak Ridge is 8 miles long.

This is our Wal-Mart. It’s the social and commercial center of the town.

We also have a Waffle House.

This is the International Friendship Bell & Pavilion. It commemorates the Pearl Harbor attack and the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. The bombs used to destroy Hiroshima & Nagasaki (Little Boy & Fat Man) were built in Oak Ridge. The were the first two atomic bombs ever built.

This is our public art (Untitled by John Rietta, 1974).

This is our art center.

And band shell.

This is the Founder’s Circle. It commemorates the first generation of Oak Ridgers.

The biggest building in Oak Ridge is the high school. Recently, they completed a multi-million dollar upgrade. Our high school football team (”Wildcats”) is a big deal - we used to have the biggest team in the whole state. Alas, I forgot to take a picture of the school. Instead, for your enjoyment, here is a picture of me from my junior year.

7/24/09 - update: My brother, Nick, has generously provided a photo of ORHS. Sign alteration courtesy of Nick and friends.