Oak Ridge X-10: 1963- A National Landmark

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

The X-10 Graphite Reactor is located on the secure grounds of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In-person visitation is only authorized via guided tours.

Text at the top of this panel reads,“The Graphite Reactor shuts down exactly 20 years after first going critical.”

To the right is a photograph of a workman climbing metal stairs near the loading face of the reactor. Below that text reads, “1966. The Graphite Reactor is designated a Registered National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service.”

To the left is a photograph of three men in suits standing in front of the loading face holding a square metal plaque. Below the photograph is an image of the plaque which reads in part “X-10 Reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.”

At the bottom of the panel text reads,“1968. The Graphite Reactor officially opens to the public for tours.”

At lower right is a photograph of a group of people looking up at a man in a white lab coat as he stands on the platform of the service elevator in front of the loading face. Two men in coveralls behind him are inserting a cylinder into one of the channels on the face.