Last updated: December 12, 2024
Place
Oak Ridge Wayside: The Community Known as Wheat
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Subtitle
A Thriving Society Almost Forgotten
Main Text
Soon after the surrounding hills and valleys were settled by European Americans in 1794, the Bald Hill community (later renamed Wheat In 1881, after Henry Franklin Wheat, the first postmaster serving the Bald Hill community) became a farming center known for its Grade-A peaches. From 1850 to 1942, this flourishing community developed multiple schools, including Robertson School, Bald Hill School, Poplar Creek Seminary, Roane College, and the Wheat School, though few operated concurrently. Wheat had three stores, a service station, Masonic Lodge, post office and churches for several denominations. On December 1, 1942, Manhattan Project administrators ordered the displacement of 3,000 people in East Tennessee including the 1,000 residents of Wheat. The Wheat Community gave up more than 27,000 acres of land at $45-$75 an acre, with many residents forced to relocate in a matter of weeks. In 1947, the Atomic Energy Commission permitted access onto the restricted federal reservation for displaced Wheat Community members to resume their annual Homecomings for the Roane College and Wheat School. These Homecomings continue to meet on the first Sunday of October.
Photo Text: The McKinney General Store and Masonic lodge and gas station of Wheat
Exhibit Panel Description
A black framed wayside with a black and white photo showing a general store and gas station with two cars at the front of the store. The text on the panel is at the lower portion.
Visit This Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located in front of the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church. The church is located on the Wheat Greenway, accessible from a gravel parking lot off of Blair Road.
A Thriving Society Almost Forgotten
Main Text
Soon after the surrounding hills and valleys were settled by European Americans in 1794, the Bald Hill community (later renamed Wheat In 1881, after Henry Franklin Wheat, the first postmaster serving the Bald Hill community) became a farming center known for its Grade-A peaches. From 1850 to 1942, this flourishing community developed multiple schools, including Robertson School, Bald Hill School, Poplar Creek Seminary, Roane College, and the Wheat School, though few operated concurrently. Wheat had three stores, a service station, Masonic Lodge, post office and churches for several denominations. On December 1, 1942, Manhattan Project administrators ordered the displacement of 3,000 people in East Tennessee including the 1,000 residents of Wheat. The Wheat Community gave up more than 27,000 acres of land at $45-$75 an acre, with many residents forced to relocate in a matter of weeks. In 1947, the Atomic Energy Commission permitted access onto the restricted federal reservation for displaced Wheat Community members to resume their annual Homecomings for the Roane College and Wheat School. These Homecomings continue to meet on the first Sunday of October.
Photo Text: The McKinney General Store and Masonic lodge and gas station of Wheat
Exhibit Panel Description
A black framed wayside with a black and white photo showing a general store and gas station with two cars at the front of the store. The text on the panel is at the lower portion.
Visit This Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located in front of the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church. The church is located on the Wheat Greenway, accessible from a gravel parking lot off of Blair Road.