Manhattan Project Sites on Laboratory Land
- MPNHP-Los Alamos Public Engagement Specialist
- Jonathan Creel
- CPA-CPO
- (505) 667-6277
These sites, currently not accessible to the public, represent the world-changing history of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. Their preservation and interpretation will show visitors the scientific, social, political, and cultural stories of the men and women who ushered in the atomic age. Though the park was established in December 2015, full implementation will take time. At Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Department of Energy is developing phased access to its properties in step with performing its ongoing mission.
Map of Manhattan Project sites on laboratory land
1. Pond Cabin
Ashley Pond built this cabin in 1914 as an office for the Pajarito Club, a private hunting ranch. 
1. Pond Cabin
During the Manhattan Project, the cabin was used by physicist Emilio Segrè’s group to support plutonium chemistry research. 
2.Battleship Bunker
This bunker built in 1944 is known as a battleship building because the bunker’s west end is bow shaped and shielded with a steel plate. 
2.Battleship Bunker
This bunker supported implosion diagnostic tests for Fat Man. The Creutz implosion test was the final check of the gadget prior to the Trinity test. 
3. Slotin Building
Constructed in 1946, this building supported criticality research. 
3. Slotin Building
On May 21, 1946, a criticality accident occurred here during an experiment known as “tickling the dragon’s tail” that led to the death of scientist Louis Slotin. 
4. Gun Site
During World War II, scientists at Gun Site conducted tests for the gun-assembled weapon designs known as Thin Man and Little Boy. 
4. Gun Site
Components of Little Boy were assembled here before shipment to the Pacific. 
5. V-Site
In 1944 this site supported the first assembly work related to the Fat Man weapon design. 
5. V-Site
In July 1945, V-Site was also used to assemble the high-explosives sphere for the Trinity device, known as the Gadget.
