Maps
Ethnic Makeup of Los Alamos
When the Manhattan Project arrived in Los Alamos in 1943, it was believed to be a temporary "interference" by outsiders. Instead, the lab has since become a permanent and historical site of the Pajarito Plateau. The arrival of newcomers plus the rich traditions of New Mexican inhabitants created a diverse mix of cultures in Los Alamos. There were Puebloans (Southwestern Native Americans), Hispanos (settlers of Spanish descent), Europeans, and people from all over the US. Peace and cooperation were necessary amongst all groups if the project was to proceed successfully.
Since the San Ildefonso Pueblo ("town") was so close to the project site, a large number of Los Alamos laborers were from the pueblo, as well as nearby pueblos like Santa Clara, San Juan, and Cochiti. This would have meant a large portion of civilian workers at Site Y were of indigenous or Spanish decent. Every day of the week, workers traveled by Army bus to the Hill to work, then returned home at sunset. Since many workers spoke limited English, their hours as drivers, maintenance workers, babysitters, or gardeners were silent unless speaking to one another.
In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the declaration of the western United States as a “military zone.” Following Pearl Harbor, this led to the internment of over 120,000 nikkei (those with Japanese ancestry). Despite accusations, there has never been any evidence of espionage activities by Japanese-Americans during this time.
The War Relocation Authority began the construction of internment camps, including one in Santa Fe. 4,555 Japanese-Americans were interned between 1942 and 1946 at Santa Fe. The Santa Fe camp continued to operate after the war ended until the spring of 1946.
Since the San Ildefonso Pueblo ("town") was so close to the project site, a large number of Los Alamos laborers were from the pueblo, as well as nearby pueblos like Santa Clara, San Juan, and Cochiti. This would have meant a large portion of civilian workers at Site Y were of indigenous or Spanish decent. Every day of the week, workers traveled by Army bus to the Hill to work, then returned home at sunset. Since many workers spoke limited English, their hours as drivers, maintenance workers, babysitters, or gardeners were silent unless speaking to one another.
In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the declaration of the western United States as a “military zone.” Following Pearl Harbor, this led to the internment of over 120,000 nikkei (those with Japanese ancestry). Despite accusations, there has never been any evidence of espionage activities by Japanese-Americans during this time.
The War Relocation Authority began the construction of internment camps, including one in Santa Fe. 4,555 Japanese-Americans were interned between 1942 and 1946 at Santa Fe. The Santa Fe camp continued to operate after the war ended until the spring of 1946.
HousingHome on Bathtub Row
Those living at Los Alamos shared homes, apartments, dormitories, barracks, and the most primitive “hutments,” most commonly assigned to minority people or lowly workers. These residences were mockingly called Morganvilles in memory of the Hoovervilles of the Depression era and the Morgan contracting company responsible for the poorly built structures. Homes were shared by two to four families, while barracks were designated to soldiers, and dorms to single workers. It was said that everyone had an equal chance at living in the nicest residences, however this was not the case. The most prestigious scientists recruited for the project, those believed to be doing the most crucial work, were given homes on “Bathtub Row,” named after the luxurious amenity available only in the former Ranch School houses.
Residents were allowed to bring furniture and whatever else they could travel with; however, most people arrived with very little and used the basic, "fairly comfortable" furniture provided by the Army. An ordinary day amongst the small dwellings of Los Alamos
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Climate and precipitation
Rationing
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the recruited
Men and women who were asked to participate in the building of the atomic bomb knew very little about the top-secret project as they were contacted and taken to the barren desert of New Mexico. Both the prestigious theoretical physicists and promising young students agreed to leave their research and schooling in order to help the US government. Some wanted to help the war effort in any way possible, others wanted nothing to do with war; but both were drawn to the prospect of making ground-breaking discoveries and furthering scientific exploration into a new age.
Family of the recruited
For those families of the recruited scientists and soldiers, life at Los Alamos was much less promising. They knew almost nothing about the project and bore the heaviest burden of isolation at Los Alamos. With their spouses sworn to secrecy, they were both fenced in from the outside world and fenced out from the inner circle of the labs. For many, ways of life were uprooted for nothing but muddy showers and extreme boredom while spouses worked on a top-secret project. This layered isolation forced civilian spouses to create their own purpose at Los Alamos, making the very most out of any opportunity.
Click here to find interviews and first hand civilian accounts.
Click here to find interviews and first hand civilian accounts.