Arco in Butte County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Atoms for Peace

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2010

1. Atoms for Peace Marker

Inscription. An important page in atomic history was written here on July 17, 1955, when the lights of Arco were successfully powered from atomic energy. Chosen by the Atomic Energy Commission as an experiment in the peaceful use of atomic power, Arco, Idaho became the first town in the free world to be served by electrical energy developed from the atom. The energy for this experiment was produced at the National Reactor Testing Station in the Arco desert southeast of here.

Erected by Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 152.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2013.

Location. 43° 37.949′ N, 113° 18.337′ W. Marker is in Arco, Idaho, in Butte County. It is on W. Grand Ave south of S. Bingham Street, on the right when traveling north. W. Grand Avenue is US Route 20, 26, and 93. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arco ID 83213, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Idaho — Sawtooth

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Range

and in Eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone Fringe.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mk 14 Torpedo (approx. half a mile away); Hawkbill Base (approx. half a mile away); USS S-27 (approx. half a mile away); USS Hawkbill (SSN-666) (approx. half a mile away); Arco Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Pearson Park (approx. 7.6 miles away); The First LDS Church (approx. 7.6 miles away).

More about this marker. The text of the marker was prepared by the Idaho Historical Society. The marker was made and installed by the Idaho Transportation Department.

Arco Recreation Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 17, 2010

2. Arco Recreation Hall

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 10, 2017

3. Atoms for Peace Marker

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 10, 2017

4. Atoms for Peace Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,633 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.