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All the United States Tennessee Oak Ridge

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Oak Ridge

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Updated October 1, 2020

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Unusual Attractions in Oak Ridge

A display at American Museum of Science and Energy

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Oak Ridge "The Secret City"

The secret city built by the Manhattan Project.
The B-1 Flat Top at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

B-1 Flat Top in Oak Ridge

One of the Cemestos prefab homes built to secretly house thousands of Manhattan Project workers.
The current tombstone was placed there by Dorothy Bruce and her 1966-67 Jefferson Junior High School students.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The Prophet of Oak Ridge's Grave

John Hendrix predicted the creation of the "Secret City" built as part of the Manhattan Project.
Alexander Inn

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Alexander Inn

This hotel was used during the Manhattan Project to house official visitors.
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Add it!
Permanently Closed
Whirlwind Mansion

Clinton, Tennessee

Whirlwind Mansion

This Tennessee manse was built so opulent that the very utilities doomed it to fail.
5 miles from Oak Ridge
Clinton 12 statue unveiling in 2007

Clinton, Tennessee

Clinton 12 Statue at Green McAdoo Cultural Center

A bronze sculpture honors the 12 black students who attended the first integrated public high school in the segregated South.
9 miles from Oak Ridge

Powell, Tennessee

Ciderville Music Store

A roadside music shop featuring a confounding series of folk art installations.
9 miles from Oak Ridge
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Oak Ridge, Tennessee

A
4
Atom Bombs 3
Nuclear 2
Manhattan Project 2
World War Ii 2
Military 2

Oak Ridge Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Tammy Mercure
    1
  2. Edward Denny
    1
  3. chasepopt
    1
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Add an unusual place to Oak Ridge.

Places Edited

  1. Rachel
    1
  2. Tammy Mercure
    1
  3. doughalvorsen
    1
  4. joshua2415sj3
    1
  5. matthewmetcalfe
    1
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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. jmhayes612
    4
  2. Dangmustangg
    4
  3. Skiddlyboop
    4
  4. 6Cyabs
    4
  5. guercio1
    4
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Visit a place in Oak Ridge.

Recent Oak Ridge Activity

  • koblu

    wants to go to The Prophet of Oak Ridge's Grave

    4 days ago
  • adamU

    wants to go to Alexander Inn

    1 day ago
  • helenthemelon25

    wants to go to Alexander Inn

    1 day ago
  • ltlantz

    wants to go to Oak Ridge "The Secret City"

    about 11 hours ago
  • foxfire86

    wants to go to Oak Ridge "The Secret City"

    about 7 hours ago

Stories About Oak Ridge

A type “H” house, photographed in the 1940s.

How the Manhattan Project's Nuclear Suburb Stayed Secret

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, once home to 75,000, went up fast and under the radar. But it was built to last, too.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
May 3, 2018

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