It's home.". / CBS News. In 1948 construction began in Whittier on the first of two enormous concrete structures. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. 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. The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. The Buckner Building over here was named after General Buckner. Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. The firefighters response:Go back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. 2023 RE/MAX, LLC. Located around 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, the town of Whittier has a 14-storey building that also houses a health clinic, police station and convenience store. Mon, Feb 27, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 Grounds are kept in excellent condition. In the process he stopped up the plumbing on the floors below hima neighbor called city management to complain that someone had flushed large amounts of dog food down the toilets, but it turned out to be pellets of grow medium. '. Each office independently owned and operated. In Baltimore, changing minds, and saving lives, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" star Ke Huy Quan, "Women Talking" writer-director Sarah Polley: "I approach filmmaking with a lot of gratitude now". All rights reserved. Begich Towers 110 Kenai Street, Whittier, AK 99693 Studio Beds Property Information 196 Units 14 Stories Built in 1956 Begich Towers Description Experience Whittier living at Begich Towers. ", Cowan asked Jenessa, "What are people asking the most? The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. Charming small towns like Whittier are one of many reasons that Alaska is a place that every seasoned traveler must visit at least once. Its a concrete building, he said. This property is not currently for sale or for rent on Trulia. $175.00. Less than ten percent of Whittier's population lives there. ", Anna added, "I feel like it's made us better people. Ed Hedges lives year-round on a 28-foot sailboat with his cat, Whatever. He was a violent racist and he hated blacks and Natives, so I always thought that building reflected him: all torn-down and abandoned.. Three years later, the Army transferred ownership of the two giant Cold War-era buildings (Buckner & Hodge) to the state of Alaska, which then deeded them to Whittier in 1973. Following the Army's departure, each building had to get its own system, including the Begich Towers, which had a pair of boilers in a side building. The oldest surviving structure from this occupation is the Alaska Communication Systems (ACS) building, also the oldest concrete structure in Whittier (pictured below, source). make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. Shuford, originally from North Carolina, now lives on the 12th floor of what some describe as the "Wilderness Tower." Alaska's laws often reflect the needs of a sparsely populated state, which presents challenges for policing within Begich Towers. Drop by Begich Towers today. Jim carves figures of Alaskan animals out of native Alaskan ivory. [5], Last edited on 21 December 2022, at 18:47, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Northern Enclosure: Alaska's One-House Town, Home to Hundreds", "Army's Seaport On Glacier Rim Is Unique City", "Begich Towers, home to about half the population of Whittier, gets a much-needed overhaul", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Begich_Towers&oldid=1128738094, Majority of Whittier's population, local government, public services and businesses. 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. The building was designed in 1953 to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the bomb-proof mid-century Hodge Building was to support a remote logistics station in Whittier, Alaska. ", A few weeks ago, Jenessa started posting about her life in the building on TikTok, and soon had millions of views and just about as many questions. 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. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. The windows are being replaced to protect the building from water damage. Sold AK Story produced by Sari Aviv. He is also the only officer who lives in town. The tower was built in the 1950s and features elevators. The fourteen-story high-risecalled Begich Towers, or BTIcontains a post office, a police station, a grocery store, a Laundromat, a health clinic, and a church. It has 196 apartment units, most of which are . Though there are two small grocery stores in Whittier, people tend to do most of their shopping in Anchorage, braving 60 miles of icy highway to do so. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Innovative & Cutting-Edge: This Is Why Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tours Entry In Metaverse Was A Hit! In 2000 the tunnel was retrofitted to accommodate cars, but before that, the train sometimes came through only once a week, so residents were well-protected from whatever they might be running away from. Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949. Directions by Land: From Anchorage, take the Seward Highway south to Portage Road, go east to Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to City Center of Whittier. Some easily adjust and stay for 20+ years. Because the weather can be so extreme, kids often walk to school via an underground tunnel. ]. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment of Alcan Highway. Construction started with the Hodge Building, along with the Buckner Building 660 yards (600m) to the northeast, with both opening in 1957. The majority of the Alaska Railroad workers commute from Anchorage,as does Whittiers mayor and all but one of the towns police officers. Gain valuable insight into the Whittier AK community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and the potential for extreme weather. Due to the small population, everyone is familiar with each other in the house, they often roam around the house in slippers and pajamas, even when they go on business. Find similar condos for sale to the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. booj. In addition to the residential units, the first floor has several busine. ", "I think the weirdest question that I got was like, 'Is it a cult?'" This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. (Not only do books take up a lot of space, but they have a tendency to mold on boats.) Outsiders have called Whittier the strangest town in Alaska. The building was designed in 1953 to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers. 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. "Alaska is quite an unevangelized state," he explains. Those who stayed behind occupied the first four floors of the Hodge Building; other floors remained unoccupied. Wildlife Photographer Captures Rare Photo Of Three-Headed Cheetah, What's The Story Behind It? (Sarah Bell / Alaska Dispatch News) Trouble in paradise Dempster, a. Anna said, "If I had one word, I'd say it's magical.". During World War II the US Army set up military facilities in what is now the town of Whittier. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Request a FREE custom valuation for your Begich Towers Condo in Whittier AK. Begich Towers is an interesting housing complex where 95% of the Whittier population lives in this one 14 story condo building. Not all transplants survive the unique lifestyle at BTI. "Before you judge the town of Whittier, you need to come visit it first.". Heres A One Stop App For All The Needs! What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. Brought to you by licensed Realtors at Keller Williams Realty. But in fact, the opposite happenedpeople moved out.). In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. The towers are not 100% occupied. After the army left in 1960, Whittier citizens took over the building's 196 units. "These are for finding out if your husband's at the bar! Brenda Tolman is known for the two reindeer she keeps in a pen across the street from Begich Towers, but she also spends much of her time making wood carvings, dolls, jewelry and other crafts to sell to tourists at her shop on the harbor. The visitor asked the firefighter what he should do. The area where modern-day Whittier sits was . It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. . More. WATCH: [Indie Alaska]I am a Whittier Teacher. The structure is notable for being the residence for nearly the entire population of the town, as well as containing many of its public facilities. Dickason said, "No one's going to build a home on property that they don't own.". Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. Proving the Whittier experience is not for everyone, it hasmixed reviews on TripAdvisor. If there is a fire, at least everyone will stay warm. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. 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. In December of 2012 we traveled to Whittier, Alaska, a town where nearly everyone lives in the same building. Alaska Railroad is the largest land owner, but it doesnt pay property taxes and employs few locals. The serene setting,mountain and harbor views make this the perfect Alaska getaway. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. LGBTQ Legal Protections updated by Movement Advancement Project, Trulia is a registered Trademark of Zillow, Inc. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. A Trending Reel Challenge That Can Win Us a Brand-New Swift? Shuford said. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking . the property described as unit 104, begich towers condominiums, as shown on the floor plans filed in the office of the recorder of the anchorage recording district, third judicial district, state of alaska, under plat number "'74-1, and as identified in the declaration recorded march 26, 1974, book 2, page 571, and in any Residents sell food and crafts to visitors, but most of the tourists money goes straight out the tunnel. Like everyone who lives on the harbor-facing side of Begich Towers, June keeps a pair of binoculars on her windowsill. "Yeah, it is known as the weirdest city in Alaska," said her husband, Dave Dickason, who is Whittier's Mayor. In the basement of the Hodge Building, the plastic-lined water containers were also undisturbed. Theres no real threat of crime or terrorism. Joey Lipscomb, an eighth grader, runs the garden. The structure is notable for being the residence for nearly the entire population of the city as well as containing many of its public facilities. The apartment buildingsknown as Begich Towerswent viral on TikTok when podcaster Olivia Snake (@livvontheedge) posted a video about the strange . Whittier is relatively close to Anchorage, Alaskabut it is still difficult to access. There are pleasant touches (such as the exteriors newer blue, cream, and peach paint scheme) that try to establish a playful identity for the formerly drab Hodge Building. Please check the Whittier AK Tunnel Schedule before driving to Whittier AK. Of course, not all residents are friends with each other, but they help each other if required. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. In recent decades, civilians have begun to trickle into a former army barracks at the heart of the town called Begich Towers. During this time Whittier was a SECRET installation known as H-12. The Alaska Railroad Corporation is the majority landowner in Whittier, but it doesnt pay property taxes, and it employs few residents. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. Paranormal enthusiasts claim that the Buckner Building is haunted by restless spirits. We recommend viewing REMAX.com and it's affiliated sites on one of the following browsers: Begich Towers, Whittier, AK Real Estate and Homes for Sale. The area where modern-day Whittier sits was developed during World War II, when it was chosen as the place to build a military harbor and a logistics base for the US Army. 60 miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. 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. Gary grew up in the hills of Arkansas, where he watched the Little Rock Crisis unfold on his TV screen. Valentines Day Gifting Stressing You Out? The listing content relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (AK MLS). Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam? While most of the town was destroyed, the rail lines, docks, deep water wells, and massive concrete buildings remained largely intact. Because the weather in Whittier can be so brutal, the school is connected to Begich Towers by underground tunnel, and the only playground is indoors. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof". The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. One Begich Towers resident who works as a teacher at the local school stated that life in Begich Towers is actually more akin to life in a big city than a remote small town. The Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners was incorporated in 1974 as a 196-unit condo community. The Begich Tower was built by the U.S. Army in 1952 to be used as a barracks during the Cold War. 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. In 1998 reconstruction began to convert the rail-only Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnelfor dual-use, allowing vehicular access as well. Whittier AK is located just fifty miles outside of Anchorage. The state of Alaska is rugged and beautiful beyond compare. 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. Most of the towers 1,200 residents at the time all Army personnel were reassigned elsewhere. Mayor Lester Lunceford recently moved from Whittier to Anchorage; his is a part-time, unpaid position, so he commutes into town when he can. 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