Secret Town

Housing and Town Life

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Streets were laid out systematically.  Main arteries were named after states, by alphabet, starting at the east end of town and working west.  All side streets branching off a main artery bore the first letter of the state’s name.  For example, all streets branching off New York Avenue began with the letter “N.” 

The local hotel, the Guest House, served as a rest stop for many of the world’s leading scientists, industrial executives, and politicians after its opening in August 1943.

While food was scarce due to government allotments, fresh garden produce provided a welcome treat for the townspeople who could seldom find enough of the essentials, such as milk and flour.  Facilities for dry cleaning and laundry were no more modern than the rest of the city, and long waits for service were not uncommon.

Grocery shopping was frustrating, as one store would attempt to serve 10,000 residents with only basic stock and undependable food shipments, since many suppliers often refused to ship orders to a city that was not on a map.  Standing in long lines became second nature to Oak Ridgers, whether they were shopping or cashing pay checks.

Churches, schools, cafeterias, grocery stores, and drugstores were built and enlarged. 

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