Dorothy McKibbin, The Gatekeeper of Los Alamos

Dorothy is just left of the lamp, Robert Oppenheimer to the right

In 1943, Dorothy McKibbin presided over an unassuming office in a 17th century hacienda in the heart of Santa Fe that served as the clearing house for all personnel that worked on the top-secret Manhattan Project during WWII to develop the atomic bomb. Hired as a “secretary” Dorothy, with a bright smile, was the first to greet the bewildered and exhausted staff, scientists, and families who were dismayed by the desolate desert landscape with blowing tumbleweeds.

Pandemonium was the order of the day, but Dorothy, who knew every road, pueblo, village, rancher, shopkeeper, carpenter, and craftsman for miles around, allowed none of the surrounding bedlam to fluster her. As the beloved “Gatekeeper of Los Alamos”, her office and home became gathering places where Dorothy’s advice, ability to solve any problem, words of encouragement, and quick sense of humor served to calm troubled waters.

She played an indispensable role during the war, and afterward remained the head of the Santa Fe office until she retired in 1963.

About the author:

Jean fell in love with Santa Fe on her first visit over 25 years ago and in 2019 came to stay. She brings her background in science and love of history to offer a Santa Fe Spy tour that explores the espionage activities that have occurred in Santa Fe from the earliest days of the Spanish to modern times. The drop-off points and hangouts where secrets of the atomic bomb were exchanged are prominently featured. She also offers Chocolate tours that explore the long history of chocolate and introduces wonderful Santa Fe chocolatiers who offer tastes as part of the tour.