Site A / Plot M Disposal Site
- Art & landmarks
- Near Joliet, Illinois
- 3.2 mi from Route 66
Site A and Plot M lie in Red Gate Woods, part of Cook County's Palos Forest Preserves, about 3 miles off the old road near Joliet, IL. During World War II, scientists working for the Manhattan Project ran early nuclear reactors here. Today the buried remains are watched over by the federal government, and a marker stone records the story. It is an unusual, thought-provoking detour for history-minded Route 66 travelers.
What is Site A / Plot M Disposal Site?
Site A was the wartime code name for a research station run by the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago. Scientists rebuilt and enlarged Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor anywhere, as Chicago Pile-2, and also built Chicago Pile-3, the first reactor to use heavy water. Plot M was the code for a nearby burial ground for low-level radioactive waste, and a memorial stone now marks the spot.
History of Site A / Plot M Disposal Site
The work was done under a federal research contract. After the war, Site A was the original home of Argonne National Laboratory. The land returned to the forest agency in 1956, but the federal Office of Legacy Management still oversees and checks both sites, and access was limited for years.
Visiting Site A / Plot M Disposal Site: tips
Treat this as a short, reflective stop; no facilities are listed. Stay on the paths and never dig or remove anything. The Tedens ghost town site is about 3.2 miles away, Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket about 3.4 miles, and Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve about 3.5 miles.
Practical info
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Site A / Plot M Disposal Site
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapSite A / Plot M Disposal Site with the 6 closest stops and a place to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
Tap a dot to see that stop here.
Stops near Site A / Plot M Disposal Site
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