ALC Enhanced Website

From Manhattan Project to Legacy Stewardship: The Atomic Legacy Cabin

The Atomic Legacy Cabin (ALC) shares the history of uranium mining and processing on the Colorado Plateau, as well as Grand Junction’s unique contribution to the Manhattan Project and Cold War. This interpretive center consolidates over 80 years of legacy-driven work throughout the years.

Opened in June 2019, the Atomic Legacy Cabin welcomes guests from around the globe into its doors to learn more about Grand Junction’s role in national defense, uranium exploration, and cleanup initiatives. Prior to its opening, the little log cabin and adjoining DOE office were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

More information about the Atomic Legacy Cabin is available on the Office of Legacy Management website.

To schedule a program or for more information, contact us at (970) 248-6251 or AtomicLegacyCabin@lm.doe.gov.
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Click the Images for more Information.

1944

1943

today

Finished remodel of the
Atomic Legacy Cabin at the
Grand Junction, Colorado, Site.

2019

Atomic Legacy Cabin

Grand Junction’s unique history with the Manhattan Project laid the foundation for its enduring connection to DOE. In 2016, the National Park Service listed the DOE Grand Junction office on the National Register of Historic Places for its role in the Manhattan Project and Cold War. Following the designation, plans were make to renovate the historic log cabin by 2019 so that this story could be shared with the public.

Grand Junction Field Support Center.

2001

Climax Uranium Mill after remediation.

1998

CLEANUP PROJECT COMES TO AN END

Throughout the 20-year cleanup project, DOE remediated over 4,000 properties, including the privately-owned Climax Mill site, approximately 18 miles southeast of Grand Junction. Towards the end of the cleanup project, DOE constructed the Grand Junction Disposal Site for final disposal of the low-level radioactive mill tailings.

Grand Junction, Colorado,
Disposal Site, circa 1998.

Over 4,000 properties were remediated, including private residential properties.

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1974

The uranium bust and end of the AEC brought with it the end of an era. Former AEC geologist Bill Chenoweth holds a newspaper announcing the AEC abolishment.

1970

THE URANIUM BUST

The extraordinary uranium boom went bust for the most ordinary of reasons: supply and demand. By the time the uranium procurement program ended in December 1970, the U.S. government had spent nearly $3 billion to purchase domestic uranium from both large mining companies and independent prospectors. Most of that uranium came through the Grand Junction office.

1958

AEC programs such as the Rim Flyers helped boost uranium exploration across the American Southwest.

1946

THE ATOMIC
ENERGY ACT

After World War II, President Harry Truman signed the Atomic Energy Act, establishing a new civilian agency to oversee nuclear weapon production as the U.S. entered the Cold War. The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) took over the log cabin and Grand Junction office as the western headquarters for uranium procurement. This new agency directed the office to search for new domestic sources of uranium to support the nation’s nuclear program — a program that continued until 1970.

Harry S. Truman

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Uranium Ore

Approximation of a Geiger counter detecting sources of uranium.

In 1950, Gordon Babbel invented the Babble counter in Utah as a smaller and lighter-weight alternative to the traditional Geiger counter – the perfect tool for prospectors to carry into remote regions. Eventually, Babbel moved his business, the Uranium Engineering Company, to Grand Junction, where he continued to manufacture the counters and collaborate with the AEC.

Approximation of a Geiger counter detecting sources of uranium.

25 milliseconds after the Trinity nuclear test explosion in 1945

1945

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Throughout the war, secrecy was vital, so even Leahy did not know the purpose of the uranium until after the Trinity Test on July 16, 1945. Following the test, Leahy received a telegram that divulged the Manhattan Project’s ultimate mission, but it also urged him to maintain secrecy.

“Due to the nature of activities in the Grand Junction Area, it is necessary that security over all work of the Area be maintained at present levels,” Leahy wrote in a letter to U.S. Vanadium Corporation in Grand Junction. “The fact that the Grand Junction Area is connected with the Manhattan Engineer District will not be revealed.”

Philip C. Leahy
Bud Franz Oral History #2

Bud Franz continues discussing his life growing up in Ouray, Colorado, leading into his career as a remediation technician focusing on uranium mill tailings in his second interview, completed in 2023.

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Bud Franz Oral History #1

Former Colorado Department of Health employee Gustav “Bud” Franz, who started there in 1969, explains his work with uranium mill tailings in Grand Junction in his first interview, completed in 2019.

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AEC Workers Oral History

Louise Oliver, Betty Learned, Caroline Retolaza, and Jean Barry Meehan enjoy reminiscing on their time working for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The panel of women share a variety of stories including their work as secretaries among other roles, experiences with famous prospectors like Charlie Steen and Vernon Pick, and several other fun stories.

This panel interview was completed in 2017.

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AEC Workers Oral History

Louise Oliver, Betty Learned, Caroline Retolaza, and Jean Barry Meehan enjoy reminiscing on their time working for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The panel of women share a variety of stories including their work as secretaries among other roles, experiences with famous prospectors like Charlie Steen and Vernon Pick, and several other fun stories.

This panel interview was completed in 2017.

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Philip Leahy Oral History 2

Leahy continues to discuss the journey to Grand Junction and his role for the Manhattan Project in a special lecture celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Grand Junction site in 1993.

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Jacqueline Young Oral History

Jacqueline Young gives a personal account of her experience as secretary with the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In 1964, Young was hired by the AEC as a secretary, the first black woman to be hired at the Grand Junction office.

This interview was completed in 2019.

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Jacqueline Young Oral History

Jacqueline Young gives a personal account of her experience as secretary with the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In 1964, Young was hired by the AEC as a secretary, the first black woman to be hired at the Grand Junction office.

This interview was completed in 2019.

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Philip Leahy Oral History

During World War II, Philip Leahy was placed in charge of establishing a domestic uranium procurement program based in Grand Junction, Colorado, for the Manhattan Project. Leahy describes the work conducted for the project and the secrecy involved.

This interview was completed in 1993.

FLIP FOR FULL INTERVIEW

Philip Leahy Oral History

During World War II, Philip Leahy was placed in charge of establishing a domestic uranium procurement program based in Grand Junction, Colorado, for the Manhattan Project. Leahy describes the work conducted for the project and the secrecy involved.

This interview was completed in 1993.

FLIP FOR INTERVIEW PREVIEW