Los Alamos in Los Alamos County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Los Alamos National Laboratory Today
Science Serving Society
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multi-disciplinary laboratory operated by the University of California for the Department of Energy. It encompasses more than 43 square miles of mesas and canyons in northern New Mexico. The laboratory has a significant economic impact in northern New Mexico and is the major employer in the region. Los Alamos central mission is reducing the global nuclear danger through stewardship of the existing nuclear weapons stockpile and developing technologies to safeguard the world against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. In addition, the laboratorys expanding responsibilities include non-nuclear defense programs, energy and related technologies, chemistry and materials science, biomedicine, advanced computing and basic science. The knowledge and technologies from Los Alamos are used to address issues of National Security in its broadest sense, including adequate energy supplies, economic competitive in world markets, environmental protection, excellence in science and engineering, education, and health and human welfare. Work at Los Alamos bridges the gap between the basic research orientation of universities and the applications and manufacturing focus of industry. Los Alamos continues to apply its scientific and technological strengths to solving complex problems of national importance where science makes a difference.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine.
Location. 35° 52.818′ N, 106° 18.188′ W. Marker is in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in Los Alamos County. It is on Trinity Drive (New Mexico Route 502) 0.1 miles west of 20th Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in an informational kiosk overlooking Ashley Pond. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos NM 87544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At
least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Ice House Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Peggy Pond Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Manhattan Project National Historical Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ashley Pond Park (about 500 feet away); Manhattan Project Era (about 600 feet away); Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer & Gen. Leslie Groves Sculptures (about 600 feet away); Historic Fuller Lodge (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Alamos.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Ice House Memorial (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Los Alamos National Laboratory. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 17, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
4. J. Robert Oppenheimer & Leslie R. Groves (left photo)
Los Alamos was created to design the first nuclear weapons in 1943. J. Robert Oppenheimer (left), its first director, is shown here with General Leslie R. Groves of the Manhattan Engineer District, who directed the national effort required to build them. The twisted metal at their feet is all that was left of the 100-foot tower upon which the first nuclear weapon was tested on July 16, 1945.
5. Wartime Los Alamos Laboratory (right photo)
The wartime Los Alamos Laboratory (Project Y), was located here. Although originally designed for about 100 scientists, engineers, and technicians, the Laboratory had over 2500 employees by the end of the war and was the largest laboratory in the world, including four particle accelerators, a reactor, a high-explosive fabrication facility, and a plutonium fabrication facility. The wartime technical area was replaced in the 1950's by a new Laboratory across Los Alamos Canyon.

via Los Alamos national Laboratory, unknown
6. Los Alamos National Laboratory Today
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Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 509 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on January 17, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.


