Oak Ridge Wayside: The Origins of "Robertsville"

The Oak Ridge Robertsville School wayside.

NPS/KLEIN

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto

Subtitle
What’s in a Name

Main Text 
The name “Robertsville” can trace its roots back to Collins Roberts, an early settler of the area who obtained land grants in 1804. The community of Robertsville grew on that land. Complete with a school, churches, gristmill, blacksmith shop, and a handful of stores, Robertsville grew to a modest-size community. However, with the US involvement in WWII, the upward trajectory of the community ceased with the establishment of the town of Oak Ridge for the Manhattan Project. Constructed in 1915, Robertsville School taught students of all grades from the surrounding area until the 1942 Christmas holiday, when the land was acquired by Clinton Engineer Works and renamed as Jefferson Junior High School. In 1954, the school’s namesake returned to this location, where it is known as Robertsville Middle School today. After several renovations over the years, the only remaining section of the original Robertsville School is the auditorium, which served as the gymnasium in pre-Manhattan Project times.  

Photo text: Students socializing before a day of classes at Robertsville School. 1942 

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 Origins of Robertsville: What’s in a Name?”. The center of the panel includes a black and white photo of several students and cars gathered in front of a school building. The text of the panel is located at the bottom.  
 
Visit This Exhibit Panel 
The Robertsville School wayside is located in front of the school at 245 Robertsville Rd. Oak Ridge, TN 37830.