Oak Ridge was created in 1943 as the residential center for the Clinton Engineering Works on the northeast corner of a 59,000-acre reservation acquired by the government in 1942. The community was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, Architects. In 1945, Oak Ridge reached a peak population of 75,000. On January 1, 1947, the Atomic Energy Commission assumed control of the community, and in 1959 Oak Ridge became an incorporated municipality.