As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. They do, however, get excited to take photos of Brenda and her reindeer. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. Most of the town people work in a deep-water port located a few hundred meters from their home. Even a school called Whittier School is connected to a tunnel on the ground floor of the West tower so students can walk to school without going out in the cold during winter. For the dozens of children who live here, the building connects to the school through an underground tunnel. Shuford, originally from North Carolina, now lives on the 12th floor of what some describe as the "Wilderness Tower." If youre the ultimate homebodyWhittier, Alaska may be your dream destination. [2] After the war, the military planned to develop a large complex in the area. The building is composed of brick and steel, making it safe . There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. The search was called off after 39 days; the plane and its four passengers were never found. Over the years the building has started to look a little rundown. Begich Towers: An Alaskan Town in a Tower By Sometimes Interesting In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. Theres a health clinic on the third floor. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof". Ratings are on scale of 1 (below average) and to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. Outsiders have called Whittier the strangest town in Alaska. 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. Home Owner's Association privileges include the use of a large common room in the building for parties & entertaining as well as additional storage lockers & freezer spaces for rent. All desirable qualities for the military, to be sure however its drawback was its isolation; at the time the region had no rail or vehicular access. 100 Kenai St Unit 414, a condos home located in Whittier, AK has 2 beds, 1 baths, and is 932 square feet. They do take care of their own here breakfast for the kids is often made by the teachers, and during COVID is delivered right to the doorsteps of students. 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. The building, called Begich Towers, is a former Army barracks that resembles a very large hotel. The east tower was built first, followed by the middle tower, and finally the west tower, which was finished in 1957. 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. I mean, when you think of all those things that you value in a community, we found that here. And it is strange: residents wander through the halls of BTI in pajamas; there is a provision on fish slime in the condo association guidelines; a pair of reindeer lives in a pen out front. 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. The U.S. government returned to Whittier at the onset of the Cold War. When the military left, the Alaska Railroad took over. Shuford said. And you always have someone to talk to.". Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. The complex has a shop . "It really isn't," the mayor responded. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than , are marked with either the listing brokerage's logo or the AK MLS logo and information about them includes the name of the listing brokerage. Cowan asked, "What don't people understand about Whittier? The room used by the church is in the basement; until recently a Southern Baptist presided over the mostly Catholic congregation. Others dont make it through the first winter, and liken the experience to being in jail. While most of the town was destroyed, the rail lines, docks, deep water wells, and massive concrete buildings remained largely intact. Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, one of Whittiers two grocery stores. Residents sell food and crafts to visitors, but most of the tourists money goes straight out the tunnel. "No kid in this school can sit in the back of the classroom and not do something. The Hodge Building was constructed as three separate towers connected by metal plates. The Kozy Korner grocery store is stocked with essentials. That's what fills my bucket, and that's why I want to stay.". The building has Internet access and cable, and most rooms have WiFi. The temperatures reach the 50s (F) during the best time of year. "But, I've gotten used to it.". Each office is independently owned and operated. The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. He is also the only officer who lives in town. Explore selling options, sales history, home details and more on . Check The Alaska Marine Highways Website for a current Port Schedule for Whittier AK. The Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners was incorporated in 1974 as a 196-unit condo community. As the closest town to the disaster, Whittier was an important base camp for authorities and clean-up crews, and its rail barges shipped the hazardous material out of Alaska. 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.". Housing protections include being unfairly evicted, denied housing, or refused the ability to rent or buy housing. Whittier Community School serves families with children in grades K-12 who live in the Begich Towers condos. "Alaska is quite an unevangelized state," he explains. CV Raman Birth Anniversary: Rare Footage Of Indian Scientist In Sweden To Receive Nobel Prize. Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. Instead they go directly from the cruise ship to a train that takes them to Anchorage. You will not be disappointed if you end up living here. I got so many comments on my TikTok saying, 'It looks sad. Please check the Whittier AK Tunnel Schedule before driving to Whittier AK. $175.00. It is a must see in Whittier . From small staff to the owner, all live together in this building where all the facilities like a police station, provision store, laundry, church and hospitals are located under one roof. 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. Today the ACS building is home to the Anchor Inn. On our first night in town, a small earthquake hit, but we thought it was just another gust of wind rattling the windowpanes. 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. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them Subscribe to Indiatimes and get handpicked updates based on your interests! A museum about the Japanese occupation of Alaska during World War II, an abandoned army barracks called the Buckner Building which once housed Whittier residents as Begich Towers does today, and a handful of delectable restaurants that serve fresh seafood are some other points of interest. The two largest of those are the Buckner Building and the Begich Towers. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. 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. Photo via California Sunday Magazine Each office independently owned and operated. "It's like, no, it's not! In the summertime Whittier is bustling. From amenities to availability, the community staff will be ready to help you find your perfect apartment. 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. (There once was a combination video rental store and tanning salon, but its been closed for a while now.) 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The building was designed in 1953 to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. "Yeah, it's a very strange town, because there's only one way in and one way out," said resident Lee Shuford. The monthly dues cover the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. 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. Fastest Charging On Any Nord Phone Ever & Other Reasons Why OnePlus Nord 2T Is Worth Every Penny! 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. In the winter he keeps warm with space heaters and staves off boredom by watching movies and reading books on his iPad. Some easily adjust and stay for 20+ years. Good access to hiking and some of the area's best fishing in Prince William Sound.. Year Built: 1954. Karen Dempster, who owns two units in the building, an attorney and a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, helped write a grant, which will pay for several upgrades to the building. Whats it like inside? The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. The drive through tunnel closes every night at 10:30 pm. Jim's studio is located in Whittier Manor, the only other residential building in Whittier besides Begich Towers. About 225 people live here, most of the town. In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. June's Whittier Bed and Breakfast Condos is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Whittier, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Not everyone who tries to live in Begich Towers can take ita newcomer from Florida compared it to jailand there simply isnt much space on which to build alternate housing, I dont know where Whittier is going, the city manager told us. So it actually makes sense for the city's citizens to have everything in one place and live under the same roof. Begich Towers Incorporated discounts - what to see at Whittier - check out reviews and 1 photos for Begich Towers Incorporated - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Begich Towers Incorporated . 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. ", "That there's nothing to do here," said Shen. Take the elevator up to the 3rd floor to see a doctor if you're not feeling well. 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 inches and sometimes 400 inches. The impressive engineering behind the 14-story Hodge Building was on display as its three separate towers swayed but miraculously did not collapse. The Begich Tower was built by the U.S. Army in 1952 to be used as a barracks during the Cold War. When asked about Whittier's social life, Shuford said, "Yep, that can be a little troublesome. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. The 14th floor of the Begich Towers remains quiet in Whittier on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. He and the other students sell their vegetables in the lobby of Begich Towers. 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. When we shot this photo, the wind was blowing upwards of 60 mph and there were no other customers in the bar. We Say, Yes! They were engineering marvels, built to withstand bomb blasts, earthquakes, fires, and 60+ mile-per-hour winds all while housing up to 1,000 troops indoors across its 150 studio, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Whittier is known as "the town under one roof" since nearly all of its roughly 200 residents live in Begich Towers, an army barracks turned residential tower block. 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 Alaska's laws often reflect the needs of a sparsely populated state, which presents challenges for policing within Begich Towers. All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified for accuracy. Gain valuable insight into the Whittier AK community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and the potential for extreme weather. " The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. 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 In 1974, the large, extraordinarily secure building became a large condominium complex, ideally suited to shield residents from the harsh Alaskan climate. Non-residents can enter the 1s floor where the city offices are and the top two floors where there is a bed and breakfast. Recreational activities near Begich Towers Apartments are plentiful. The population drops to less than two hundred, and the streets empty as most of the town moves back indoors. the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. The other is the Buckner building. It was built in 1954 . 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. Theres no money in it, she says, but its nothing to me and its a big deal for them, so what the fuck, why not blow their skirts up?. ]. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking the complex to the . Because Whittier is surrounded by mountains, connecting it to other towns required significant tunneling. Photos from a recent listing: In Whittier population turnover can be high, understandable given the lack of consistent, year-round work. 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. You have to be willing to work with each other.". 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. The 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which was converted from railroad use, alternates the flow of traffic every fifteen minutes. 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. In the darkest days of winter you can sometimes find teachers in the garden, sitting underneath the natural spectrum grow lights. Seward Highway south to Portage Road, go east to, Free Community and Demographic Reports for Whittier, Access detailed information on Whittier Community School, Home Prices in Anchorage Alaska for March 2018, Home Prices in Anchorage Alaska for February 2018, Home Prices in Anchorage Alaska for November 2017, View all Activerain Blog Posts By Katrina Benton. 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