Why was oak ridge tennese a secret?

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was kept secret during World War II because it was a central site for the Manhattan Project, the U.S. government’s initiative to develop atomic weapons. Established in 1942, the city housed extensive facilities for uranium enrichment and research, which were critical to the war effort. The government maintained strict security and restricted access to prevent espionage and keep the project’s objectives hidden from both the public and potential adversaries. This level of secrecy was crucial to the success of the atomic bomb development.