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Remembering The 'Secret City' That Helped Build The First Atomic Bomb

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In 1942, original houses in the Oak Ridge area started to be replaced by construction for the war effort. In the background of this photo, K-25 is being built — which used the gaseous diffusion method to enrich uranium. (Ed Wescott/U.S. Department of Energy)
In 1942, original houses in the Oak Ridge area started to be replaced by construction for the war effort. In the background of this photo, K-25 is being built — which used the gaseous diffusion method to enrich uranium. (Ed Wescott/U.S. Department of Energy)

Seventy-five years ago this week, the federal government quietly took over 60,000 acres of farmland nestled in the ridges of east Tennessee. It told residents to leave, then built a city cloaked in secrecy that tens of thousands of people would flock to during World War II.

Nashville Public Radio's Emily Siner (@SinerSays) has the story of Oak Ridge, the city that helped build the world's first atomic bomb.

This segment aired on September 21, 2017.

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