Oak Ridge is located in the state of Tennesee and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Oak Ridge, you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is a beautiful city located in the Tennessee Valley. The city offers many different vacation possibilities for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
One option for vacationers is to stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts located throughout the city. These bed and breakfasts offer a unique experience, as they are often located in historic homes. Visitors can also find plenty of hotels and motels in Oak Ridge.
Those looking for outdoor adventure will find plenty to do in Oak Ridge. The city is home to numerous hiking and biking trails. There are also several lakes located nearby, perfect for swimming, fishing, or just enjoying the scenic views.
For those interested in historical sites, Oak Ridge is home to the Museum of Science and Energy. This museum offers interactive exhibits on the history of the city and the Manhattan Project.
No matter what your interests are, Oak Ridge has something to offer everyone. So come and explore all that this unique city has to offer!
Sights in Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Knoxville. It is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 29,330, and it is the largest city in Roane County. Oak Ridge’s nicknames include the Atomic City, the Secret City, the Ridge, and the City of Energy.
During World War II, Oak Ridge was the site of the Manhattan Project’s uranium enrichment facilities, which helped fuel the first nuclear weapons. As it is still the site of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge’s 1945 secret status continues to intrigue historians and conspiracy theorists who believe that the city’s wartime activities have continued into the present.
Today, Oak Ridge is a prosperous city with a diverse economic base. Its culture is enriched by strong ties to the arts, including the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, the Oak Ridge Chorus, the Oak Ridge Playhouse, and the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The city’s parks and recreation network identified as one of the best in the nation. The city is served by two major interstate highways (I75 and I40), four US routes (US 62, US 58, US 70, US 441), and Tennessee State Route 95. It also has access to four TVAmanaged waterways (the Clinch, Emory, Holston, and Watts Bar lakes), including several boat ramps and marinas.
History of Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Knoxville. Oak Ridge’s population was 29,330 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Oak Ridge was established in 1942 as a production site for the Manhattan Project—the massive American, British, and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb. As it is still the site of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, scientific development still plays a prominent role in the city’s economy. The earliest substantial occupation of the Oak Ridge area occurred during the Cherokee–American wars of the late 18th century, when most of the thereafter land became part of the shortlived State of Franklin. The Cherokee left behind a caretaker group (led by Joshua Gist) who became known as the Overhill Cherokee.
During the early 19th century, several EuroAmerican settlers moved into the river valleys along the Tennessee River, mostly in Roane and Loudon counties. These early settlers were generally subsistence farmers, devoted to the raising of crops and livestock. John Hendrix settled in what is now called the Freels Bend community of western Anderson County in 1808. Several other families followed, and by 1817, a small community had formed there called Gladstone. The community grew slowly, and by 1838, Ferris and Neilson Gist owned large plantations adjacent to the Freels Bend settlement.
The community became known as “the Gists’ Settlement”. In 1843, an act of the Tennessee General Assembly created Anderson County from parts ofHamilton and Roane counties. The new county was named for Joseph “Old Hickory” Anderson, one of three commissioners appointed to oversee the county’s organization. Gist was elected as the county’s first sheriff. In 1845, a post office was established at the Gists’ Settlement, and the community was renamed “Oak Ridge”.
The first school in Oak Ridge was built in 1881. By the early 1900s, several churches and a general store had been established in the developing community. In 1917, the Clinch River was dammed by the construction of Norris Dam, creating the Norris Lake reservoir. The completion of the dam brought increased job opportunities and population growth to the area.
In 1918, the community of Scarboro was founded by coal miners who had recently moved to the area. In 1919, construction began on a hydroelectric plant at the dam. The plant was completed in 1922, and the first homes in the Scarboro area were built the following year.
In the early 1940s, the United States government purchased more than 60,000 acres (240 km2) of land in the Oak Ridge area for the construction of the Manhattan Project’s secret research and production facilities. The settlement of ElzaGate was established in 1942 to house some of the project’s workers. The construction of the K25 gaseous diffusion plant and the Y12 electromagnetic separation plant began in 1943. These facilities were completed in 1944, and their operations were essential to the Manhattan Project’s success.
The city of Oak Ridge was incorporated in 1943, and its population grew rapidly during the war years. By 1946, the population of the city had reached more than 75,000. In 1947, the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies (ORINS) was established. ORINS would later become the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), one of the largest science and technology laboratories in the world.
After the war, the city of Oak Ridge continued to grow. The population peaked in the mid1960s, and has remained relatively stable since that time. The city’s economy remains largely dependent on the operations of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Nevertheless, the city has diversified its economic base in recent years, with the addition of several new industries.
Today, the city of Oak Ridge is a vibrant community with a rich history. The city is home to more than 29,000 residents, and its economy is diverse and thriving. Oak Ridge is truly a unique American city, and its history is an important part of the fabric of our nation.
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