Oak Ridge in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
1947
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017
1. 1947 Marker
Inscription.
1947. . Although many residents still felt Oak Ridge was a wartime town, they were now encouraged to view their city as possibly becoming a permanent community. This transition was kicked off January 1 when the Manhattan Engineering District handed off control of the government’s atomic energy program to the civilian U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In April, AEC Chairman David Lilienthal told citizens in a packed high school auditorium that AEC hoped that Oak Ridge would eventually become a “normal” city with home ownership and self-government. The AEC named Len Z. Dolan as the Oak Ridge city manager. Eight people were elected to seats on a new Town Council. The city’s appearance improved as abandoned farm buildings and sub-standard dormitories were town down, and 50,000 trees were planted. The AEC built 450 modern garden apartments. A new country club offered nine holes of golf. A trial justice court replaced the justice of the peace. Citizens voted legalize the sale of whiskey. The year ended with a “Black Christmas” at Clinton National Laboratory because of uncertainties about their reactor programs and its next operating contractor.
Given by the K-25 Federal Credit Union and By the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, June 2005.
Although many residents still felt Oak Ridge was a wartime town, they were now encouraged to view their city as possibly becoming a permanent community. This transition was kicked off January 1 when the Manhattan Engineering District handed off control of the government’s atomic energy program to the civilian U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In April, AEC Chairman David Lilienthal told citizens in a packed high school auditorium that AEC hoped that Oak Ridge would eventually become a “normal” city with home ownership and self-government. The AEC named Len Z. Dolan as the Oak Ridge city manager. Eight people were elected to seats on a new Town Council. The city’s appearance improved as abandoned farm buildings and sub-standard dormitories were town down, and 50,000 trees were planted. The AEC built 450 modern garden apartments. A new country club offered nine holes of golf. A trial justice court replaced the justice of the peace. Citizens voted legalize the sale of whiskey. The year ended with a “Black Christmas” at Clinton National Laboratory because of uncertainties about their reactor programs and its next operating contractor.
Given by the K-25 Federal Credit Union and By the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, June 2005.
Location. 36° 0.818′ N, 84° 15.474′ W. Marker is in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in Anderson County. Marker is at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike (Tennessee Route 95) and South Tulane Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Oak Ridge Turnpike. Marker is located at Alvin K. Bissell Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oak Ridge TN 37830, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Secret City Commemorative Walk. (Submitted on January 4, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017
2. 1947 Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017
3. Secret City Commemorative Walk
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017
4. Secret City Commemorative Walk
Photographed By Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017
5. Secret City Commemorative Walk
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
