The Guest House

The Guest House or Alexander Inn

The Chapel on the Hill

 

The Guest House was built in 1943. A wood-framed building, similar to many other World period “H-plan” buildings, it served as guest quarters to a number of dignitaries during the top-secret Manhattan Project including Enrico Fermi, Robert Oppenheimer, General Leslie Groves and others. In 1949, a 44-room addition was completed. The name was changed to the Alexander Inn in September 1950. The hotel was sold by the government in 1958. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 as a contributing propertyin the Oak Ridge Historic District. This district includes the Chapel on the Hill and and Highland View Elementary School (currently the Children's Museum).

Since the sale of the Alexander Inn, it has been allowed to deteriorate. Periodic attempts to fund a rehabilitation project have not been successful. There have been some recent attempts to stabalize the building.

The current plan is to convert the Inn to an assisted living facility. Council approves tax break for Alexander Inn assisted living center

Update:  Alexander Inn on 2013 Endangered Places List
               Alexander Restoration Update