The Manhattan Project...aka Atomic Bombs

Los Alamos is a place we had both heard of, but really didn't know much about. The short version, for those that don't know, is that the town exists purely because of the Manhattan Project, the goal being the creation of an atomic weapon. The town sits atop several mesas, making it isolated and easily protected. Before 1943 the only residents of the area were ranchers and a private outdoorsy elite boarding school for young men. The US government mandatorily took over the entire area and built Los Alamos into the science-y town, that it still is today. The median income of the state of New Mexico is around $43,000/year; the median income of Los Alamos is >$100,000. That should tell you what kind of business is going on in this town. The % of residents with college degrees is off the charts. There isn't much to see of the original Los Alamos site from the 1940's, however a new National Monument is working on restoring some of the remaining structures of the site for the public. The Manhattan Project National Monument was just designated in 2016 and includes 3 sites; Los Alamos, Hanford in WA state and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Currently there is a small 2 room visitors center in Los Alamos, but the ranger had an amazing wealth of knowledge of the history of the area and they have a great 20 minute film that explains the history of the Manhattan Project. They are hoping to have more open to the public in the next couple of years. In a political climate that seems hellbent on cutting funding for National Parks, it was super encouraging to see work being done on a new monument. As far as other history in the town, you can see some of the 1940's scientists residences and the original lodge for the boy's boarding school that was taken over by the government. There's also a free museum in town, the Bradbury Science Museum. It's designed as in interpretive center for the previous and current work of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, including the Manhattan Project. Lots of hands on stuff and great for your inner geek. Coming next: Taos Pueblo...stay tuned...

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