Another free day in Pojoaque. We had a relaxing morning, then headed out to see Los Alamos.
As most of you know, Los Alamos was the site of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and it continues to be a large research center even today.
In 1942, when FDR decided to consolidate all nuclear research into one, top-secret location, there was no Los Alamos. There was an exclusive boys boarding “prep” school, The Ranch School, plus a dozen or so homesteaders who farmed these mesas in the summer. The US government instituted eminent domain proceedings and gave the residents about two months to vacate the premises, with an insistence that the reasons for leaving must be kept secret. It’s hard to understand what it must have been like to abruptly close a school, and be unable to tell anyone why…
What drew the leaders of the Manhattan Project to this location was the infrastructure of the school itself, which included water supply, electricity, and buildings. Another reason was the geography and the remote location.
Los Alamos is located approximately 35 miles to the northwest of Santa Fe. The elevation is about 7,320 feet, and total land area is 11.14 square miles, most of which was already owned by the Federal government.
Los Alamos is located on flat mesa tops separated by steep canyons.
This relative inaccessibility was a key reason for its selection – to help protect the secret activities of the Manhattan Project.
Everything was top secret. There were no radio broadcasts – the “radio” signals were hard-wired to each house… Everyone shared the same address – Post Office Box 1663, Santa Fe, NM. No one could tell their friends and relatives where they were and what they were doing. It is all very hard for us today to understand what this must have been like…
Today, Los Alamos is a lovely little town. All the research laboratories have been moved to an adjacent mesa. Some of the original buildings, mostly from the Ranch School days, still exist, plus some houses used by some of the most prominent members of the community.
This is “The Lodge”, the Ranch School’s Dining Hall. The newer wings were added after WWII…
This is a cabin, originally used by the Ranch School founder, Ashley Pond. It was moved to this site. It was originally in a remote location, and was used for some early research activities…
One of the houses used by scientist Bethe has been restored…
The Guest House was used by prominent visitors. Today it is the Museum…
The Ranch School was founded by Ashley Pond in 1917. The boys of the school built this small lake, and named it Ashley Pond… All the original research labs were built around the pond. It is the centerpiece of a city park today…
Los Alamos now has a proper Post Office. Residents no longer need to share one P.O. Box in Santa Fe…
We returned to Pojoaque; we had another Fandango, and at 8:00 pm we had a Drivers Meeting to review tomorrow’s drive as we move to Durango, CO, high in the Rocky Mountains
And an enjoyable time was had by all…
Adventures in the Villa 
August 30, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoy reading of your sojourns! As a retired urban planner/historic preservationist (and 1 year in AS owner), your commentaries are especially interesting. And I want to do a wine tour! ❤️
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August 30, 2018 at 6:24 pm
Pamela: Thank you for your kind remarks! We will probably cross paths some day. Have you joined WBCCI? Best thing ever for an Airstreamer!
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