Last updated: December 12, 2024
Place
Oak Ridge Wayside: The Wheat Colony
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
2 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto
Subtitle
Keeping the Lines Ready
Main Text
In late summer 1943, Manhattan Project administrators awarded a construction contract to Ford, Bacon, and Davis, Inc. to build support facilities for the K-25 plant. A new housing camp, Wheat Colony, was quickly built to provide housing, stores, and recreation to the 2,000 residents. Though Ford, Bacon, and Davis was originally just a construction contractor, operation of these buildings was also assigned to the firm until early 1945 when Carbide and Carbon took over full operation of the K-25 Complex. The gas processed at K-25, uranium hexafluoride (UF6), is highly corrosive and reactive creating challenges to the enrichment process. Since UF6 reacts to moisture in the air, large pipes were plated with nickel, a nonreactive metal, and smaller ones constructed of copper. Workers cleaned and conditioned every pipe, valve, pump, and converter using solvent degreasing, alkaline cleaning, acid pickling, scratch brushing, and surface passivation; this would assist in preventing accidental contamination. When finished, the parts were sealed until they could be installed within K-25. The Wheat Colony construction camp, and the other housing in Happy Valley, was removed by 1947. K-1401 would continue to operate throughout the Cold War and demolished in 2008.
Photo text: Workers at the K-25 Complex conditioning a pipe within a positive pressure balloon.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black framed wayside features a black and white photo of two men in work uniforms with their arms inside a large white balloon. The text on the panel is located along the bottom portion.
Visit This Exhibit Panel
The Wheat Colony wayside is located at the K-25 Overlook in Roane County, TN, along the Oak Ridge Turnpike across from the former K-25 plant.
Keeping the Lines Ready
Main Text
In late summer 1943, Manhattan Project administrators awarded a construction contract to Ford, Bacon, and Davis, Inc. to build support facilities for the K-25 plant. A new housing camp, Wheat Colony, was quickly built to provide housing, stores, and recreation to the 2,000 residents. Though Ford, Bacon, and Davis was originally just a construction contractor, operation of these buildings was also assigned to the firm until early 1945 when Carbide and Carbon took over full operation of the K-25 Complex. The gas processed at K-25, uranium hexafluoride (UF6), is highly corrosive and reactive creating challenges to the enrichment process. Since UF6 reacts to moisture in the air, large pipes were plated with nickel, a nonreactive metal, and smaller ones constructed of copper. Workers cleaned and conditioned every pipe, valve, pump, and converter using solvent degreasing, alkaline cleaning, acid pickling, scratch brushing, and surface passivation; this would assist in preventing accidental contamination. When finished, the parts were sealed until they could be installed within K-25. The Wheat Colony construction camp, and the other housing in Happy Valley, was removed by 1947. K-1401 would continue to operate throughout the Cold War and demolished in 2008.
Photo text: Workers at the K-25 Complex conditioning a pipe within a positive pressure balloon.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black framed wayside features a black and white photo of two men in work uniforms with their arms inside a large white balloon. The text on the panel is located along the bottom portion.
Visit This Exhibit Panel
The Wheat Colony wayside is located at the K-25 Overlook in Roane County, TN, along the Oak Ridge Turnpike across from the former K-25 plant.