The George Jones Memorial Baptist Church in the Wheat Community, Roane County, Tennessee. The Wheat Community was settled in the late 18th century by pioneers. In 1943, Wheat residents were evicte
They were evicted to make way for the Manhattan Project. Federal agents knocked on doors and gave residents a few days to vacate their homes and property.
The area is now part of the federal reservation. All that remains of Wheat is this church, and several scattered old cemeteries, this being the largest. One is an African American burial ground.
Many of the tomb stones are for children and infants.
The tombs are falling and hard to read....lichen is obliterating many names.
the back.
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One of the old monuments for members of 'The Woodsmen of the World.'
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A poem for a small child, whose parents loved him, but 'Jesus loved him more.'
Over looking the gravel road. Now a federal road, closed to traffic. We walked around the gate to enter.
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Wheat (now Oak Ridge) is situated in a narrow valley. This is looking southwest toward the mountains. There are mountains to the east and north as well.
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My husband, Bob, leaning against a tree while I take photos. He said, the next day, that sitting down was a mistake....he was eaten alive by chiggers.
On the way out, one last photograph of all that remains of Wheat Community, Roane County, Tennessee.