HISTORY
OF OAK RIDGE:
Oak Ridge, Tennessee was founded by the Federal Government during World
War II as a result of the President Roosevelt’s “Manhattan Project.”
Originally dubbed “Site X-10,” Oak Ridge was one of three plants
charged with creating the nuclear weapon that helped bring World War II
to a close. Workers labored feverishly to develop the city at an incredible
rate. Each house took approximately two hours to build, resulting in two
new houses every minute.
Oak Ridge hit a population peak of over 75,000 residents during World
War II, but that population has diminished significantly since the Manhattan
District was transferred and government houses began being sold to the
public.
Today, Oak Ridge is still the site of many government projects, though
none as classified as the Manhattan Project. Most government employees
in the area are working on continued nuclear energy research or radioactive
waste processing. Oak Ride is struggling to blend its position as a rich
historical city and a modern suburb. Shopping structures remain vacant
and on the verge of demolition. Though the unemployment rate has improved
over the past two years, families still struggle to make ends meet.
FUN FACTS ABOUT OAK RIDGE, TN:
Oak Ridge was founded with a top secret purpose and had some pretty crazy
rules. Workers within Oak Ridge were forbidden from saying certain words,
such as “uranium,” which was instead called by its code name:
“Tubaloy.” Oak Ridge High School always played away games
and was never allowed to give a roster to the opposing team during World
War II. Oak Ridge never even appeared on a map until 1949!
The Oak Ridge Rowing Course is one of the nicest in the entire county,
making Oak Ridge one of three cities to host the US Rowing nationals.
Oak Ridge was home to Edgar Meyer, a Grammy Award winning bassist.
OAK RIDGE AT A GLANCE:
• Unemployment Rate of Anderson County: 3.6%
• Population: 27, 387
• Average age of the common house: 50-70 years old
• Land area: 86 square miles
• Elevation: 850 feet
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