Oak Ridge was built and kept secret during World War 2 as part of the Manhattan Projects development of the atomic bomb. The Secret City succeeded and was declassified and is now a thriving part of Tennessee.
And it’s contribution is listed as a National Monument. However secrecy is in their DNA so there are no signs telling you where it is.
In our search for it, Mrs Ram saw a cryptic, tiny sign for a visitors center for Y12.
We turned around, found a parking spot marked “visitors only” and walked up to the entrance. It was locked. Not very welcoming considering its a visitors center.
A small sign indicated that visitors must press a call button. We were then asked over an intercom “Why are you here.” “We are traveling and visiting here and the sign says…”. He buzzed us in.
We walked into the entrance area and were directed to the second desk with two military personnel with side arms. Yes this was the correct place and there were displays. It was also obvious this was not your average National Monument.
We wandered around learning about the sites role in developing the first atomic bomb and additional work on making a box to collect moon rocks.
So why was it called Y12? It was just a meaningless designation for a top secret facility. Now it’s the official name of the site.
So if you are looking to visit this part of the Manhattan Project National Monument, search for Y12 visitors center and be ready to answer that deep, philosophical question, “Why are you here.”