But thriving harbor industriesfreight, fishing, tourismdont seem to translate into growth for the city. Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. Whittier, just sixty miles from the epicenter, was severely damaged by the ensuing tsunamis, which brought waves up to 43 feet (13m) tall into town. Seasonal workers come for jobs on fishing boats, charter boats, or in the cannery, and cruise ships bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to the harbor. Because it doesn't matter where you came from, how much money you have, you know, we're all just here in this town trying to make it work.". There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. Today the ACS building is home to the Anchor Inn. There are also some health and safety problems. Its a concrete building. "Before you judge the town of Whittier, you need to come visit it first.". After the army left in 1960, Whittier citizens took over the building's 196 units. [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for as little as $9,000. Construction began on the 14-story Hodge Building in 1953. The weather in this corner of Alaska is very unpredictable - winds blow at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and snowfall reaches 250, The building was built in 1956 and during. The firefighters response:Go back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. Directions by Sea: The Alaska Marine Highway serves the community of Whittier, AK with passenger service onboard the M/V Aurora. People in Whittier refer to Bob as something called "old Alaska"--he settled in a pre-pipeline Wrangle during Alaska's Wild West days. Whittier Harbor, which never freezes, is one of the most desired in the area. The monthly dues cover the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. [ Buckner Building: Named in honor of General Simon Bolivar Buckner, the large building crammed an entire military post into one building. The buildings former jail, now apartment 411, was appraised at $19,500 and listed for sale in 1976: the old jail, complete with bars on both bedroom doors, steel bunks hanging from the wall, three authentic bullet holes in the walls and window sill, plus a front view of the city, small boat harbor, and Prince William Sound.. It is a must see in Whittier . The apartment buildingsknown as Begich Towerswent viral on TikTok when podcaster Olivia Snake (@livvontheedge) posted a video about the strange . There is almost no reason to leave the building, which on some days, is a major benefit because the city of Whittier is also famous for its windy and rainy weather. Regarding the dating question, she said, "Nobody really dates here because we all grew up together and that'd be kinda weird. Begich Tower, which houses around 80% of the population of Whittier (hence the misnomer comment) is one of two structures which used to be a Military base. Because Whittier is surrounded by mountains, connecting it to other towns required significant tunneling. In 1964, the area was hit by a tsunami caused by the Good Friday earthquake, but the damage was not extensive. Anna said, "If I had one word, I'd say it's magical.". Now, a high rise does seem out of place here, but what's more surprising is, the Begich Towers (as they're officially called) is about the only place to live in all of Whittier. The Whittier Glacier and the eponymous town were named for American poet John Greenleaf Whittier. He wastes as little as possible, letting the shape of the ivory define what he makes. OnePlus 11 5Gs Focus on Customer Satisfaction And User Experience Is Why Its A Phone For Keeps! If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. It was designed to house a 1500-man garrison with its own chapel, command offices, brig, TV station, PX, theater, laundry facilities, barber, an enormous mess hall, craft shop, a bowling alley, a shooting range, commissary, bakery, dispensary, and private rooms for officers and NCOs. More Info. Gain valuable insight into the Whittier AK community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and the potential for extreme weather. It was built in 1954 . [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for, o back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. In addition to the residential units, the first floor has several businesses: a laundry mat, Post Office, condo association offices and more. Whittier is relatively close to Anchorage, Alaskabut it is still difficult to access. Over the years the building has started to look a little rundown. All Rights Reserved. Before the twentieth century, the area had been used for centuries by the Chugach Indians to traverse the Kenai Peninsula. Begich Towers is an interesting housing complex where 95% of the Whittier population lives in this one 14 story condo building. The complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate modules connected via tunnels. To some, it may just be the strangest town in Alaska, but for residents Whittier seems to be the answer to the call of the wild. Society. Nothings going to burn down.. ]. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. About 225 people live here, most of the town. Begich Towers residents rarely have to brave Alaskas icy winds and blinding snow at the height of winter if they dont want to because virtually anything they may need is conveniently located a few short minutes from their doorstep. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider needs as part of the school selection process. Each room has a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska. We were tough in those days.". right?". The Anchor Inn, a combination hotel, bar, and restaurantthe only bar or restaurant open year-roundis a five-minute walk from BTI. Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners Inc. The weather might prevent you from leaving the building for months at a time but you can go to the Kozy Korner grocery store in pajamas and slippers. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. To get there we drove some 60 miles from Anchorage, and then waited for nearly an hour to pass through a 2.5 mile-long, one-lane railroad tunnel that cuts through the middle of a mountain. The tower is actually three structures mashed into one: an east building, a middle building, and a west building, combined over four years from 1953 to 1957. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. But in fact, the opposite happenedpeople moved out.). The U.S. Army began construction of a rail line in 1941 from Whittier to nearby Portage, Alaska. Private Walking Tour in Whittier AK. Whittier started to emerge from the Armys shadow when the city was officially incorporated in 1969. He is also the only officer who lives in town. Winters paint a different picture. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter tops in the kitchens. The massive structures were, for years, the two largest buildings in Alaska. the old jail, complete with bars on both bedroom doors, steel bunks hanging from the wall, three authentic bullet holes in the walls and window sill, plus a front view of the city, small boat harbor, and Prince William Sound. "We're too small to function in isolation," said Erk. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. There are 198 units, and in the bottom of the building is the police office, a gym, the city clerk's office and a store. The two largest of those are the Buckner Building and the Begich Towers. The complex has a shop . Not all transplants survive the unique lifestyle at BTI. The 14-story building is a former Army barracks built in 1956, yet it houses all the amenities youd expect from a small town: a laundromat, health clinic, corner store, police station, church, video store, city offices and the homes of nearly 200 residents.Photo via California Sunday Magazine. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. (800) 525-7452. The Buckner Building over here was named after General Buckner. The two-year project cost $80 million to complete, and drastically improved access to Whittier. Shuford, originally from North Carolina, now lives on the 12th floor of what some describe as the "Wilderness Tower." Comfortable floor plans and panoramic views will make you feel right at home in the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. It was built by the military during the Cold War as a no-frills barracks. Dental health aides spend two years learning basic dental care, and are then stationed in a remote community; they offer preventative services and perform basic procedures like fillings and extractions, so that when the dentist comes to town he can focus on more complex dental problems. Actor's Brother Spills The Beans, Cricketer Virat Kohli Says His Wife Anushka Sharma Has Made Massive Sacrifices As A Mother, New Meme Unlocked: Pakistani Cooking Show Contestant Presents Store-Bought Biryani To Judges, Goes Viral, Is Introducing A Sex Toy To Your Love Life A Good Idea? Come experience our Historical two and a half mile (one way) tunnel. from . If youre the ultimate homebodyWhittier, Alaska may be your dream destination. Begich Towers was completed in 1957 as a Cold War outpost for the U.S. Army, which then abandoned the facility by the mid-1960s. When it was finished, it was the longest tunnel in America. The former military gym and basketball courts (pictured) are massive and offer an expansive indoor area for activity and exercise. The only way to get to Whittier is to drive through a one-lane railroad tunnel through the middle of a mountain. Because villages in remote areas may go many months without a visit from an itinerant dentist, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has started a dental health aide program--the first of its kind in the United States. Initially there was backlash to the tunnel conversion by residents afraid of the potential population influx. The first thing we noticed when we arrived in Whittier was the windwe were barely out of the car when a powerful gust pushed us down the hill. Dickason said, "No one's going to build a home on property that they don't own.". BTI may not have everything you want, but it has everything you need. ", Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, which is housed on the ground floor of Begich Towers. Walk a little into the room and you will see government offices, as well as Kozy Korner convenience store, a shop where everyone is shopping. Dave Schofield is the chief of police in Whittier. 2023 RE/MAX, LLC. Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. Next to the school and towers is the indoor playground (pictured), which protects kids from the elements year-round. Subscribe to Indiatimes and get handpicked updates based on your interests! The Buckner Building housed, among other things, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a shooting range, a barbershop, and a six-cell jail. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Though Begich Towers and the Buckner Building provide much of Whittiers intrigue, they arent the only structures in town. Contact Address: 110 Kenai Street Whittier, AK 99693 Phone Number: (907) 472-2484 Home AK Whittier Begich Towers Apartments Report an Issue Contact this Property (907) 472-2484 This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof".[1]. The plumbing system is certainly overworked. The smallest homes in the building are efficiency units, largerfloor plans have two or three bedrooms. Dave, Anna, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything they need right here at Begich Towers. "In Guam I used to sneak out of the house, so my dad moved us to the perfect place: the tunnel closes at night, so there's nowhere to sneak out to. Bob Prunella was brought to Whittier as an interim city manager, but he's now stayed here for two years. Editor: Steven Tyler. It now owns almost all of the inhabitable land in Whittier. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment of Alcan Highway. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. The serene setting,mountain and harbor views make this the perfect Alaska getaway. With 200 inches of rain and 250 inches of snowfall annually, only the dedicated stay in Whittier through the winter months. Most of the town people work in a deep-water port located a few hundred meters from their home. We asked a volunteer firefighter what we should do, and he told us it was best to go back to our condo and shut the door so we could avoid the noise. Employment protections include being fired, denied employment, or otherwise discriminated against by an employer. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. The Begich Towers, in Whittier, Alaska, built by the military during the Cold War as a no-frills barracks, is now home to the majority of the isolated town's 300 or so residents. 2023 ActiveRain, Inc. All Rights Reserved :) homeFair Housing: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Real Estate Agent with Come Home Inc License #16564, Affordable Condos with Unobstructed Views, Depending upon placement within the towers, each unit has an unobstructed view of the. The shore is lined with small stores that open up during tourist season. After a drug bust on the 10th floor of Begich Towers, the Whittier Police donated a hydroponic garden to the kids at Whittier School. While following the Rolling Stones across the country during their 1972 tour, Jim Bell found a discarded cardboard sign on the side of the road that read: ALASKA. On a whim he picked it up and stuck his thumb out. The population of the city is over 200 people. Inside, the painted concrete hallways illuminated by the ubiquitous yellow fluorescent lighting always remind that you are inside what used to be a government building. When completed, the one-mile railroad tunnel through Begich Peak and the 2.5-mile railroad tunnel through Maynard Mountain combined for 13,300 feet. While the United States was engaged in World War II, resources were temporarily diverted away from Whittier, leaving little activity in the area for the next five years. This property is not currently for sale or for rent on Trulia. The purpose of the bomb-proof mid-century Hodge Building was to support a remote logistics station in Whittier, Alaska. It is 14 floors high and is made up of three modules connected together. Dr. Michael Costa is a visiting dentist who spends nearly half his year traveling between Alaskan villages, and Erik Linduska is a dental health aide therapist based out of King Cove. Dock hands who unload the supply barges in Whittier also shuttle in from Anchorage once a week. When the Army pulled out of Whittier in 1960, the handful of remaining residents turned BTI into a condo, but the Buckner Building was simply abandoned. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. Cowan asked, "What don't people understand about Whittier? The towers are not 100% occupied. Jim's studio is located in Whittier Manor, the only other residential building in Whittier besides Begich Towers. Due to bad weather and roads, locals are not able to go anywhere and if they somehow manage to go out, they face lots of problems while coming back because there is no direct way to reach this place. '. Another Good Friday disaster would strike in March of 1989. The longest tunnel in America happenedpeople moved out. ) even a church, all an! As an interim city manager, but it has everything you need everything you,. 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