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Hanford was a small agricultural community in Benton County, Washington. It was evacuated in 1943 along with the town of White Bluffs in order to make room for the nuclear production facility known as the Hanford Site. The town was located in what is now the "100F" sector of the site.

History[]

Hanford1915

Downtown Hanford, 1915.

Hanford was platted in 1907 on land purchased in 1905 by the Priest Rapids Irrigation and Power Company. The town site is located on the present day Hanford Nuclear Reservation in the approximate location of the 100F area. In 1913, the town had a spur railroad link to the transcontinental Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, also known as 'the electric railroad.' By 1925 the town was booming thanks to high agricultural demand, and it boasted a hotel, bank, and its own elementary and high schools.

1943 spelled the end of Hanford. The federal government condemned the town and purchased the land in order to form the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Every single building was razed except the Hanford High School that still stands today.

About[]

The town was condemned by the Federal government to make way for the Hanford site. Most buildings were destroyed, with the notable exception of the high school. It was used during WWII as the construction management office. The school still stands today, marred by its use during the years for SWAT practice, and can be seen from the Hanford tour bus operated by the U.S. government.

The town site of Hanford is off-limits to unauthorized visitors. The best way to see it is to participate in the infrequent bus tours that are given by the government.

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