Richland, Washington (Images of America)

In 1933 when Adolph Hitler came to power, Albert Einstein, a Jewish professor at the Berlin Academy of Sciences was visiting the United States. Einstein did not return to Germany, but, remained in the United States and became a naturalized citizen in 1940. At about that same time upon the eve of the full breaking out of World War II, Einstein endorsed a letter to then President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt informing him that scientists in Germany were on the verge of developing "extremely powerful bombs of a new type". This lead to the establishment of the highly secretive Manhattan Project to begin intensive research into this critically important scientific field. Three widely separated remote areas of the United States: Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Los Alamos, New Mexico and Richland (Hanford), Washington were chosen as locations for the research and development locations for this project. In each location many parcels of private property were taken by the Federal Government by imminent domain, sometimes done so quickly that time was barely allowed for existing crops to be harvested. In the State of Washington, the residents of the small towns of Richland, Hanford and White Bluffs had to be relocated. In 1943 Richland had a population of 243. By the time that this new government facility reached peak production, in less than two years, the population was 51,000. Security and secrecy were so intense and enforced that workers had no idea about the product or even if there was a product on which they were working. Rumors were everything from campaign buttons to toilet paper. The bomb tested at the Trinity Site, near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945, contained plutonium from Hanford. The bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945, also contained plutonium manufactured at the Hanford plant. Some days later when Japan surrendered the local paper announced what had been actually going on at Hanford. This book is a fascinating insight into those days and how Richland developed afterward.

Loved all the history and all the great pictures of by gone days! Having lived here for 35 years, I'd forgotten some of the locations and it brought back great memories. Anyone who has lived here for a long time will appreciate this book! Definitely a book that is a trip down memory lane!

Great pictures and rich history, but not enough plutonium. :(

Brings back good memories. I lived in the Tri-Cities area for 46 years.

great book

Richland, Wa is an area that is nestled in the beautiful Columbia basin and boasts some of our nations best rolling hills, rivers, and wildlife. Also known as the Tri-Cities, (including the areas of Richland, WA and Pasco, WA)this area is home to the Hanford nuclear reservation plant, and is 20 minutes away from the Oregon border. With Portland, OR 3.5 hours away, and Seattle 4, this cheaper cost of living, low crime, and a total area population of over 300,000 makes this area a fantastic place to live and to raise your family. Median house prices average at about $130,000. A must visit!

I grew up in Richland during the era that Beth Gibson so wonderfully chronicles in this book. The memories come flooding back. Well written, well documented... wonderful photo collection. Now... fifty years later... I produce the [...] program and we will be featuring this book on our show. Highly recommended for anyone looking for insights on this unique and intriguing little town.

This book has so many inaccuracies that I lost count.. beginning with the very first "pre page". The author STATES that the park was "originally" named Riverside and that is just plain WRONG.It was ORIGINALLY named either Howard Amon ark or Amon Park. It was called John Dam Park after the government takeover and the newly formed Richland Park Board officially named it Riverside in about 1949. It was changed from Riverside to Howard Amon Park in 1968. Author should get her facts straight before publishing.