As the first atomic bomb, fueled with Hanford plutonium, was detonated in the New Mexico desert 10 months later, leaders feared there was a chance that the chain reaction could destroy the world.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bockscar dropped an atomic bomb fueled with plutonium produced at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation on Nagasaki, Japan, Aug. 9, 1945.

A U.S. B-29 drops a second atomic bomb — plutonium-powered and nicknamed "Fat Man" — on Nagasaki, Japan. The weapon unleashes a 22-kiloton explosion, killing an estimated 70,000 people in 1945 ...

One of the production areas at the Hanford Engineer Works on Aug. 23, 1945, near where the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, 14 days earlier was developed.

As the first atomic bomb, fueled with Hanford plutonium, was detonated in the New Mexico desert 10 months later, leaders feared there was a chance that the chain reaction could destroy the world.

75 years ago an atomic bomb fueled with plutonium made at the Hanford nuclear reservation site was dropped over Nagasaki, Japan, helping end World War II. National Park Service to observe anniversary.

RICHLAND -- No one at Hanford Engineer Works knew they were making history. There were signs, but all told them to keep quiet. They were told they were serving their country and furthering the war ...

Jamie Francis, The OregonianThis road led to the old town of Hanford, within the nuclear reservation. Of the site's original 670 square miles, less than 5 percent was used for bomb work. The ...

Three entire cities were built to make the atomic bombs that the US used against Japan in 1945, but they were so secret that they didn’t appear on any map.

When the B-29 bomber Bockscar dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, it was the end result of work done in Central Washington, as well as sacrifices residents made for the war effort.

Click to see the slideshow The nuclear reservation's beauty masks a deadly desert of radioactive waste, decrepit structures and fouled earth Booking a tour • Hanford tours are free and can be ...