Hanford’s B Reactor celebrates 70 years

Published 1:09 pm Saturday, September 27, 2014

RICHLAND — Hanford’s B Reactor celebrated its 70th anniversary this week with public tours and live music.

Friday marked 70 years since the reactor was started up for the first time.

KNDU-TV reports nearly 250 people toured the reactor and learned about its history.

The B Reactor was the world’s first full-scale nuclear reactor and it produced plutonium used for nuclear bombs.

The military project during World War II brought 50,000 to the area, who built the town of Richland.

The B Reactor is currently a National Historic Landmark.