Why Oak Ridge?

The city of Oak Ridge was not officially on any map until 1949 when the gates were opened and citizens were allowed to come and go as they pleased.  It was only then that Oak Ridge received its name.  During the war years, it was referred to as Clinton Engineering Works (C.E.W.) because of its location near the town of Clinton.

In 1942, the 59,000-acre region was actually very rural and consisted of several smaller towns and a population of about 3,000 ( For more information see "Before the War:  The Elza, Robertsville, Scarboro, and Wheat Communities").

The relatively low population of the area made acquisition of the land affordable for the federal government.  The area was also accessibly by highway and rail.  Electricity and water were readily available thanks to the Clinch River and TVA’s Norris Dam . ( For more information see "The Role of TVA")

The topography of the area was also of major importance in the selection site.  The valley Oak Ridge sits in is 17 miles long and is partitioned by several ridges which would have provided natural protection from any unforeseen disasters that might have occurred at the four major industrial plants.

The topography of the area was also of major importance in the selection site.  The valley Oak Ridge sits in is 17 miles long and is partitioned by several ridges which would have provided natural protection from any unforeseen disasters that might have occurred at the four major industrial plants.  In addition, the distance from seacoasts and the proximity to Knoxville’s labor source also contributed to the selection of 59,000 acres in East Tennessee.

However, there is a possibility that politics may have entered into the decision.  Senator McKellar from Tennessee just may have influenced the choice.  The story goes like this: ( Next page)

Next: More about 'Why Oak Ridge?'