Last updated: March 12, 2025
Place
Oak Ridge Wayside: The Castle
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Subtitle
Administering the Project
Main Text
The first headquarters for the Manhattan Project were in the offices of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division on the 18th floor of a skyscraper in lower Manhattan, NY. Across multiple New York City sites, the Manhattan Engineer District conducted research, procured materials and supplies, liaised with contractors and universities, and stored uranium ore.
In November 1942, construction of the Project’s new administration building began in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. By late summer 1943, Manhattan Engineer District headquarters were officially transferred from Manhattan to “the Castle,” a sprawling wooden barracks-type structure on the southside of the turnpike. Under District Engineer Colonel Kenneth Nichols, the operations for the uranium enrichment in Oak Ridge and plutonium production in Hanford, Washington were overseen. The administrative center of the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge was second only to General Leslie Groves’ office in Washington, D.C in directing the engineering of the Manhattan Project.
Administration of the Castle was transferred to the newly formed Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) on January 1, 1947. In 1970, AEC operations shifted to the newly constructed Federal Office Building and the Castle was demolished for the Federal Building’s parking lot.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads “The Castle: Administering the Project." The center of the panel includes a color aerial photo of several large administration buildings. The text of the panel is located at the bottom.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located on Central Ave. just north of E. Tyrone Rd. in Oak Ridge, TN.
Administering the Project
Main Text
The first headquarters for the Manhattan Project were in the offices of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division on the 18th floor of a skyscraper in lower Manhattan, NY. Across multiple New York City sites, the Manhattan Engineer District conducted research, procured materials and supplies, liaised with contractors and universities, and stored uranium ore.
In November 1942, construction of the Project’s new administration building began in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. By late summer 1943, Manhattan Engineer District headquarters were officially transferred from Manhattan to “the Castle,” a sprawling wooden barracks-type structure on the southside of the turnpike. Under District Engineer Colonel Kenneth Nichols, the operations for the uranium enrichment in Oak Ridge and plutonium production in Hanford, Washington were overseen. The administrative center of the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge was second only to General Leslie Groves’ office in Washington, D.C in directing the engineering of the Manhattan Project.
Administration of the Castle was transferred to the newly formed Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) on January 1, 1947. In 1970, AEC operations shifted to the newly constructed Federal Office Building and the Castle was demolished for the Federal Building’s parking lot.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads “The Castle: Administering the Project." The center of the panel includes a color aerial photo of several large administration buildings. The text of the panel is located at the bottom.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located on Central Ave. just north of E. Tyrone Rd. in Oak Ridge, TN.