Hanford History
Hanford began as the biggest, most secretive mission during the World War II. It was a miraculous undertaking of scientists, military, government, and thousands of workers who arrived at was launched just north of Richland in the early 1940's.
In 1943, as World War II raged in Europe and the Pacific, thousands of men and women from across the United States began arriving in a remote part of south-central Washington state. They knew very little about why the U.S. government had hired them — only that it was an important project to support the war effort. It was a project that would change the world forever.
There are a number of awesome resources available to learn more about Hanford.
Historical Videos - Produced and provided by Richland CityView TV.
- Atomic Fortress - A historical look at how Hanford's B-Reactor changed the history of Richland and the world.
- Alphabet Homes - Recollection from residents about the challenges of living in the WWII government owned town of Richland.
- Camp Hanford - History of the 1943 Hanford & 1948 trailer camps, which housed the workers of the secret WWII project.
- Termination Winds - A historical look at the development of the Hanford Engineering Works Project, the project that changed the world forever.
Historical Videos - Provided by The Oregon Experience.
- The Story of Hanford - 59 minutes
- Story of Days Pay - 1 minute - purchased from Boeing by Hanford Workers who all donated one days pay.
- Hanford and the Town of White Bluffs - 1 min 23 seconds
What is the B Reactor?
The B Reactor at the Hanford Site, near Richland, Washington, was the first large-scale nuclear reactor ever built.
Learn about the scientific discoveries and developments that led to the construction of the B Reactor.
Take a Bus Tour of the B-Reactor!
- Hanford Bus Tour B REACTOR 1 of 3
- Hanford Bus Tour B REACTOR 2 of 3
- Hanford Bus Tour B REACTOR 3 of 3