UNEARTHED PHOTOS: A Detailed Look Inside America’s Secret Atomic City


During World War Two the residents of Oak Ridge in Tennessee had no idea how their jobs helped the war effort, beyond the fact they were told it would help to end the war. It wasn’t until nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan in August 1945, that the true nature of their work began to become clear.

secret

Pictures taken by Ed Westcott, the only person in the town authorized to take photographs, provide a fascinating insight into the lives of those that lived and worked inside America’s Atomic City.

secret

 

secret

 

secret

 

secret

Oak Ridge was acquired by the U.S. government in 1942 as part of the Manhattan Project, a top secret operation to develop atomic weapons.secret

 

 

secret

Billboard

s in the town reminded those living and working there to stay silent about what they saw and did, and although the town was open to the public, even non-military areas were guarded.

secret

Everyone entering the town, including high ranking officials, was subject to a search at one of the many inspection points.

secret

The top secret environment caused rumors to spread about the true nature of the city, with some believing the city was a prototype communist community masterminded by Eleanor Roosevelt.

secret

 

secret

 

secret

 

secret

 

comicbooks

 

apmarket

 

atomplane

 

beautyshop

In at attempt to counter these rumors, the government created a wholesome all American town, which was complete with bowling alleys, movie theaters, roller-skating rinks, swimming pools and sports teams.

secret

Residents of Oak Ridge were allocated government housing via a system of letters, according to the status and size of their family. High ranking families would be allocated an “F” home, a two story four unit building.

secret

Young newcomers would generally be housed in temporary structures known as “flat-tops”, although shortages during the war meant that these houses became permanent homes for many.

secret

This photograph from 1947 shows an abandoned cabin. When the land used to develop Oak Ridge was requisitioned by the government, families living on the land were only given two weeks’ notice to vacate their property.

secret

 

busarea

By 1945, Oakridge had a population of 75,000 people, using more power than New York City, and featuring one of the most extensive bus systems in the country.

secret

For most residents who has worked to enrich uranium used in the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, this V-J day celebration would have been the first time they learned of what they had been working towards over the course of many years.