History

Located on the Pajarito Plateau, Los Alamos has a rich history that goes back to ancient times. Long ago, the Ancestral Puebloans lived in Los Alamos. You can learn about them by visiting Bandelier National Monument and Tsankawi Ruins, where you can see ancient cliff dwellings and cool rock drawings. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, pioneers moved here to start farms and ranches. You can find out more about these early settlers at the Los Alamos History Museum and the historic Fuller Lodge.

Los Alamos is also famous for its role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. This is where scientists, like J. Robert Oppenheimer, worked on creating the atomic bomb. You can learn all about this at the Bradbury Science Museum and visit Bathtub Row, where the scientists lived. After the war, the Los Alamos National Laboratory continued to make important scientific discoveries. Today, Los Alamos is a lively community that celebrates its past with a charming downtown, local shops, art galleries, and fun events like the Los Alamos ScienceFest and Arts Council festivals. Come visit and see why Los Alamos is such a fascinating and inspiring place!