Oak Ridge is located in both Anderson County and Roane County.
Oak Ridge was built under a cloak of secrecy by the United States government during World War II as a major site of the Manhattan Project, the massive wartime effort that produced the world's first atomic weapons. In 1942, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought an estimated 60,000 acres of rural farm land to construct a "temporary" city and three facilities to develop technology that ended the war. After the war, Oak Ridge transitioned from a "temporary" military town into an independent city and became self-governing in 1959 as residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of incorporation under a modified city manager-council form of government.
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The City of Oak Ridge is located approximately 22 miles northwest of Knoxville. Oak Ridge borders the Clinch River's navigable waterway for 42 miles along the shores of Watts Bar and Melton Hill Lake.
The City is home to Melton Hill Lake that is recognized as the home of the Oak Ridge rowing course. Melton Hill Lake offers 173 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, and rowing. Melton Lake Greenway, one of Oak Ridge's 12 beautiful greenways, runs along the western shore of Melton Hill Lake for people to enjoy scenic, outdoor activities.
Oak Ridge is also home to 16 beautiful parks that are strategically located throughout the City to be within one-half mile of each residential area, and are open year-round from dawn until dusk.
Oak Ridge's city school system is consistently ranked among the best public school systems in the nation. The city operates a preschool, four elementary schools enrolling kindergarten through grade 4, two middle schools enrolling grades 5 through 8, and one high school enrolling grades 9 through 12.
Population: 29,037 (2019)
Anderson County
Anderson County is situated close to Knoxville and is the location for
Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
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Norris Dam is located in Anderson County.
Bull Run Steam Plant is located on 750 acres directly across the Clinch River (Melton Hill Lake) from Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
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Anderson County was formed in 1801 from parts of Knox and Grainger counties. It was named for Joseph Anderson who was judge of the Superior Court of the Territory South of the River Ohio, a U.S. senator from Tennessee, and Comptroller of the U.S. Treasury. During World War II, the federal government initiated the Manhattan Project, and founded Oak Ridge.
The county seat is Clinton.
Newspapers (print and digital): The Oak Ridger, The Oak Ridge Observer, Inside Anderson County
Anderson County Population: 76,978 (2019)
Government: Anderson County Tennessee
Business: Anderson County Chamber of Commerce
Genealogy: Anderson County Genealogy | Anderson County History and Information
News: Inside Anderson County
There are over 115 churches in Anderson County and a major medical center.
Norris Dam and Norris Dam State Park are located in Anderson County. Completed in 1936, Norris Lake covers 36,000 acres. Picnic tables and walking trails are available.
Roane County
Roane County is situated close to Knoxville
Roane County was formed in 1801. It was named for Archibold Roane who was the second governor of Tennessee. Roane served as an attorney general in the Southwest Territory in the early 1790s, and later served as a judge on the state's Superior Court of Law and Equity and the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals.
The county seat is Kingston. Several movies have been filmed in Roane County, including Boys of Summerville, and October Sky.
National Register of Historic Places in Roane County.
Newspapers: (online and digital) Roane County News | Inside Anderson County
Roane County Population: 53,382 (2019)
Government: Roane County Government
Business: The Roane Alliance
Genealogy & History:
Roane County Genealogy | Roane County History Archives
Roane County Heritage | Roane County Tennessee Family History Project
Roane County History
There are over 110 churches in Roane County and a major medical center. There are 16 parks.
Norris Dam and Norris Dam State Park are located in Anderson County. Completed in 1936, Norris Lake covers 36,000 acres. Picnic tables and walking trails are available.
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