There’s really no doubt that life here in Los Alamos is a rather unique experience. As I chat with newcomers and long time residents about their homes, I love hearing their perceptions of life in Los Alamos. What I sometimes find most fascinating is the wide variety of thoughts people like to share on the subject. These are modern perspectives though. Thanks to one of my favorite books from the History Museum’s wonderful gift shop, we have some sources from years ago.

In her book, Tales of Los Alamos: Life on the Mesa 1943-1945, Bernice Brode gives a bit of cool insight into how the work/life balance looked in the early days. I think you might agree with me that some of this will seem awfully familiar.

First off, Bernice Brode shares that the term “Mesa Business” was used to cover all community affairs. If community affairs seems a broad term, it was meant to be! It covered everything social happening in Los Alamos and therefore anyone had a right to be in the know, and activities and events happened because some determined individual made them happen.

It was also considered Mesa Business to get the 411 on any new families being brought up to Los Alamos. It’s nearly impossible to wrap our modern minds around the idea that the local gossip would include personal goods like what furniture you have, any musical talents, and even your basic family profiles. Did the new family have a grandmother living with them? Woohoo! New post babysitter! Does one of the kids play an instrument? Awesome, the community orchestra needs some beefing up!

Brode tells a tale in her book about the first really determined, organized effort by Mesa Business to create a pre-school. Some early residents even convinced the Army to slap together a building and fence in a yard. They even got playground equipment added to their budget. The pre-school was instantly in such demand that PO Box 1663 was inundated with requests to be on the waiting list! Good gracious! Can you imagine having to write a letter to the Los Alamos postal alias in order to get your kid waitlisted for daycare?!

Los Alamos had Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, and a Junior Cub Scouts group called BUDS during the war years. These groups popped up because dedicated moms and dads took time from the Manhattan Project to participate with their kids. (Ahem… sound familiar?).

One group of Brownies got so good with their dance routines that they were often asked to perform at community events. The determined Brownie Leader bailed up a major and got the Army to construct a May Pole near the Big House (near the modern location of the Post Office). The Brownie troupe of dancers wound pink and white ribbons round the pole for May Day!

Bernice also talks about the Mesa’s theater. The production space was almost never unused. Everything from church services to full scale theatrical productions. Everyone was involved, which meant everyone attended! It’s evidently urban legend that the most memorable Little Theater performance was of Arsenic and Old Lace when the final scene where they bring up the bodies included Robert Oppenheimer, Deak Parsons, Bob Bacher, Cyril Smith, and Harold Agnew. The need for willing bodies to act meant anyone was welcome to join!

I find it so interesting to think that our community has a bit of a revolving history. The way that we get involved when we’re passionate about something. Our history of rallying around community members in need. The high value we place on our offspring’s creative, educational, and athletic talents. This is such an interesting place to call home with so many things to do and see! Whether you’re ready to join our community or getting ready to leap to your next adventure, give me a call! I’m a hometown girl who loves to talk houses in Los Alamos!