East Tennessee Riding Club was founded at the end of World War II, when Oak Ridge was still the “Secret City.” To keep residents living behind the fences happy, the government accommodated all kinds of recreation — and a riding club fit right into the scheme of things. Today, ETRC is the only member-owned, member-managed co-operative barn in the nation, overseen by a board of 8 elected members.
From Warehouses to Stables
The club was founded on January 16, 1945, in the midst of World War II. A formal charter followed on July 11, 1949. The present stables were first built as warehouses to store material for the construction of the Manhattan Project sites in Oak Ridge — materials for the X-10 Graphite Reactor and the Y-12 Electromagnetic Separation Plant would likely have been stored here. The warehouses stood at the end of spur railroad tracks, where materials arrived by train.
Evidence of that era survives: fairly large pieces of graphite are still buried in the floor of the portion of the stables known as the “Annex.”
In 1945, the Roane Anderson Company — which managed the government-owned city — rented the warehouses to the club for use as stables and a clubroom for $13.12 per month. Originally there were six warehouses; four were torn down and the club was given the use of two. Members constructed the stalls in the barn themselves, and covered the hallways with dirt to provide an indoor riding area.
Owned by Its Members
When the government decided to sell property to Oak Ridge residents, the club immediately took advantage of the opportunity, purchasing 19.5 acres and the two warehouses — with improvements — for $1,800. The barn is owned by all club members equally, with rent based on expenses. Each member tends their own horses and shares in maintaining the facility.
Over the years, members have added to the stables. The “red barn” was added in 1959 — to pay for it, the club sold five acres of its land. Other improvements have included the arena, spectator bleachers (removed in the 1990s), a concession stand, a sprinkler system to wet down the arena, and dressage areas. In 1967, the club took out a $4,000 loan for substantial improvements to the facilities; it was paid off in 1972.
A Club with a Reputation
The riding club has been featured in The Chronicle of the Horse and is a well-known riding stable with an excellent reputation for involving families — and especially children — in the horse world. The club has always encouraged youth through riding and by holding competitive horse shows just for young riders, a tradition that continues today.
Among the many programs the club has supported over the years is the Anderson County 4-H Horse and Pony Project Group, which has met at the club since 1991. Read about our 4-H program →