Oak City is a town in Millard County, Utah, United States. The population was 595 at the 2020 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census, the town has a total area of , all land.

Climate

Oak City has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk).

Demographics

As of the census

The A-Bomb Project

Oak City in Millard County was the search director's first choice for the atomic weapons laboratory. Maj. John Dudley of the Manhattan District Staff was assigned to survey the West and find potential sites for an atomic laboratory in October 1942. His first choice for the laboratory site was Oak City, Utah, according to the Los Alamos history. "It was a delightful little oasis in south central Utah," Dudley wrote. "The railroad was only 16 miles away over a nice, easy road. The airport was not too distant. The water supply was good. It was surrounded by hills, and beyond there was mostly desert. However, I noticed one thing: If we took over this area we would evict several dozen families and we would also take a large amount of farm acreage out of production."

Because of the potential loss of farmland, Dudley recommended his second choice — Jemez Springs, New Mexico. In the end, Dudley's choice was overruled by J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist and the scientific director of the Manhattan Project. He favored Los Alamos.

Celebrations

Oak City Days

Oak City Days is held the third week of August every year when the citizens of Oak City host a two-day event to celebrate the founding of the city. It has also been known as ward days and homecoming in the past. Oak City Days is kicked off with a parade on Friday evening followed by an ice cream social. Following the ice cream social there is a program. There are also various competitions such as a Rook tournament. On Saturday a town lunch is prepared which feeds over 1000 people. Craft booths, kids games (including a children’s fish catch), as well as adult fun fill the day. The festivities end with a dance under the stars with music by the local band The Moonlighters.

See also

  • List of cities and towns in Utah

References

  • Official Oak City Page
  • more information