The 14-story Begich Towers Incorporated, known around these parts simply as BTI, is probably the last thing you'd expect to see in an outpost as remote as this. However, things are changing here. In the darkest days of winter you can sometimes find teachers in the garden, sitting underneath the natural spectrum grow lights. 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. Recreational activities near Begich Towers Apartments are plentiful. In March of 1974 the Hodge Building was officially renamed Begich Towers in honor of Alaska Congressman Nick Begich(pictured), who went missing in October of 1972 after control towers lost contact with his Cessna 310. Until he moved away, Pastor Kevin Jones, a Southern Baptist, presided over a mostly Catholic congregation. The community here, it's so nice that you don't really ever feel sad. Google India Employee Gets Laid Off After Earning 'Star Performer' Award, Asks 'Why Me? The Buckner, as it was called, was the social center for the posts military, civilian and dependent population. But when the temperature dips below freezing, that window narrows to five minutes. At night the tunnel is closed. Begich Towers residents can even set up a meeting with the Whittier mayor, police chief, or head physician without reaching for their coat and scarf. The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. When the second largest earthquake in recorded history leveled much of southern Alaska in 1964, the 14-story Cold War relic was one of few structures to survive. 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). A fitness centre and several cafes located near the house have also been built to the service of local residents. ]. The City Under One Roof (aka Buckner Building, pictured below) was completed in 1953. In fact, what makes Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large 14-story building! Isolated By. A police station, grocery store, clinic, church, convenience store, and school are all housed within the structure. Because the winters are so ferocious, the towns only playground is indoors. 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. Begich was flying with House majority leader Hale Boggs from Anchorage to Juneau when the incident occurred. she laughed. 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. In 1948 construction began in Whittier on the first of two enormous concrete structures. On the buildings top two floors are Junes Whittier Condo Suites, a residents bed and breakfast operation with nearly a dozen suites ranging from $155 to $265 a night. On December 17th, 1945 the Army allowed the Alaska Railroad Company (the towns chief non-government tenant) to assume operations in Whittier. Each office independently owned and operated. The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. Charming small towns like Whittier are one of many reasons that Alaska is a place that every seasoned traveler must visit at least once. Your email address will not be published. 301, 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 w74-1, and as identified in the declaration recorded march 26, 1974, book 2, page 571, and in any Named in honor of General Simon Bolivar Buckner, the large building crammed an entire military post into one building. When we shot this photo, the wind was blowing upwards of 60 mph and there were no other customers in the bar. Outsiders have called Whittier the strangest town in Alaska. Request a FREE custom valuation for your Begich Towers Condo in Whittier AK. 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. Residents must learn to love their neighbors because despite Whittiersisolation from the rest of the world, living in a tower with the rest of the town offers an experience devoid of privacy. Floral Dresses To Chic Bags - Heres How I Refreshed My Summer Closet From Flipkart On A Budget! Whats it like inside? It can shatter windshields and rip your car doors right off. Instead, on the edge of town, there stands a 14-story building called Begich Towers a former Army barracks, resembling an aging hotel, where most of the town's 200 residents live. Tourism is a source of income for the town, although its guests tend to have brief visits. That's what fills my bucket, and that's why I want to stay.". But thriving harbor industriesfreight, fishing, tourismdont seem to translate into growth for the city. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, 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.". . ", Cowan asked Jenessa, "What are people asking the most? If youre the ultimate homebodyWhittier, Alaska may be your dream destination. "These are for finding out if your husband's at the bar! The population of the city is over 200 people. Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. Correspondent Lee Cowan asked, "It's not for everybody. It's wild, but tame. [ During the winter of 1956/57, the Port of Whittier received a record snowfall of 72 feet. Inside, sets of branched corridors and elevators allow residents access to all areas of the complex. , there was an army barrack at this place, due to which all the facilities are available here. 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. Cowan asked Shuford, "What do you want people to know about Whittier? About 300 or so residents live here year-round, many of them new families. Private Walking Tour in Whittier AK. It is 14 floors high and is made up of three modules connected together. Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter tops in the kitchens. Anna laughed. Access detailed information on Whittier Community School,school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. (800) 525-7452. Whittier is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and home to majestic animals such as reindeer who live in a small enclosure just outside of Begich Towers, and humpback whales who frolic in the pristine waters of Prince William Sound. Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, one of Whittiers two grocery stores. On our first night in town, a small earthquake hit, but we thought it was just another gust of wind rattling the windowpanes. The search was called off after 39 days; the plane and its four passengers were never found. Nearly all of Whittiers population lives in this 14-story building. Surprisingly, there are not many residential buildings in this town. After the army left in 1960, Whittier citizens took over the building's 196 units. What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry? "You do! Enjoy waterfall views from the 6th floor and an abundance of awesome outdoor activities. Directions by Sea: The Alaska Marine Highway serves the community of Whittier, AK with passenger service onboard the M/V Aurora. Wealthy residents of New York who pay big bucks for condos with in-house amenities could only dream of such lavish luxury. If there is a fire, at least everyone will stay warm. Despite the ambitious plan, these buildings were the only two to be built, and they were used by the US Army until the early 1960s; the Buckner Building has been abandoned since 1966.[3]. The waitlist is often 10-20 years. "We don't need all of the big box stores," said Dave. 3 Bedroom 1 Bath condo for sale in the historical Begich Towers located in Whittier, Alaska. The building was built in 1956 and duringWorld War II, there was an army barrack at this place, due to which all the facilities are available here. The two-year project cost $80 million to complete, and drastically improved access to Whittier. On Good Friday in March of 1964, the second most powerful earthquake in recorded history buckled the floor underneath Prince William Sound, registering a whopping 9.2 magnitude on the Richter scale. After the tunnel conversion, the trip to drive through cost travelers just $12. The boiler is a problem, and most people complain about the drab military colors inside. make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. The 14th floor of the Begich Towers remains quiet in Whittier on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. " The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. A supply barge comes into town once a week, but most of the workers who unload the freight commute from Anchorage. The two largest of those are the Buckner Building and the Begich Towers. When the military left, the Alaska Railroad took over. Katrina BentonKeller Williams Realty Hire a professional, positive, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help you sell or buyyour next home! Anyone who wanted to bring a car or truck into the town had to ship their vehicle into town via boat or train. All Rights Reserved. Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK have an active Home Owner's Association with dues of about $250 to $550 per month depending upon the size of the unit. Whittier is only accessible by boat, and a single drive through tunnel which periodically alternates directions. The purpose of the bomb-proof mid-centuryHodge Building was to support a remote logistics station in Whittier, Alaska. The Hodge Building was part of a larger project meant to include the construction of ten other similar buildings for military use. 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. "But, everything's here. 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. Dave, Anna, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything they need right here at Begich Towers. Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. When it was finished, it was the longest tunnel in America. And if you have pet reindeer, you can keep them in a pen behind the building. Powered by Indiatimes Lifestyle Network. 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. The Hodge Building was constructed as three separate towers connected by metal plates. "Alaska is quite an unevangelized state," he explains. The plumbing system is certainly overworked. There's a police station on one side, and a post office on the other. You can find Condos for sale in Begich Towers (if there are any available today) as well as all available Whittier AK Condos for sale on my website. The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred when a ship ran into the Bligh Reef off the coast of Alaska, spilling nearly eleven million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. / CBS News. Please check the Whittier AK Tunnel Schedule before driving to Whittier AK. It has 196 apartment units, most of which are . When asked about Whittier's social life, Shuford said, "Yep, that can be a little troublesome. Required fields are marked *. 762 SqFt Condo In Begich Towers for sale in Whittier, AK. Bob Prunella was brought to Whittier as an interim city manager, but he's now stayed here for two years. Anna said, "If I had one word, I'd say it's magical.". There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. The building has Internet access and cable, and most rooms have WiFi. Post your own FREE listing! 60 miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. If you have a disability that is preventing you from experiencing this Adventure Tours. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small town of Whittier, Alaska. (Sarah Bell / Alaska Dispatch News) Trouble in paradise Dempster, a. 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. Built in 1943, this self-contained secure facility housed the radio and telegraph communications equipment. Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. I mean, when you think of all those things that you value in a community, we found that here. During the summer months, when the sun shines 22 hours a dayvisitors from around the world who are curious about life in Begich Towers flock to Whittier. Today the ACS building is home to the Anchor Inn. Close to some of Whittier's most popular landmarks, such as Begich Towers Incorporated (0.0 mi) and Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (1.9 mi), June's Whittier Bed and Breakfast . In addition to residential apartments, the building houses Whittiers grocery store, laundromat, medical clinic, police department, post office, and the city offices. Your browser is out of date or unsupported. 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. Most of the towers 1,200 residents at the time all Army personnel were reassigned elsewhere. BTI is beginning to show its age. Copyright 2023 Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking the complex to the . ", "I think the weirdest question that I got was like, 'Is it a cult?'" Sold AK Whittier Harbor, which never freezes, is one of the most desired in the area. Its a concrete building. Lucky Medez, who moved to Whittier from Guam in her junior year, is one of three students in her graduating class. With most of the residences within the town of Whittier AK being located in the Begich Towers Condos, it is no surprise this really is the center of town. Light and bright apartment style condos you would expect to find for sale in the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK are going to range between 511 and 1827 square feet. In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. 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. Next to the school and towers is the indoor playground (pictured), which protects kids from the elements year-round. 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. Did you know about these amazing buildings before? "But, I've gotten used to it.". At any time, a resident can knock on the police chief's door, and students can get help from the teacher for study. Valentines Day Gifting Stressing You Out? While most of the town was destroyed, the rail lines, docks, deep water wells, and massive concrete buildings remained largely intact. The Buckner Building housed, among other things, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a shooting range, a barbershop, and a six-cell jail. It looks depressing.' People in Whittier refer to Bob as something called "old Alaska"--he settled in a pre-pipeline Wrangle during Alaska's Wild West days. Too costly and dangerous to demolish, the building is still there today. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. Photo via California Sunday Magazine It also has radar-unfriendly claustrophobic topography and famously terrible weather, which obscures visibility for much of the year. Every kid is seen. "We don't need all of the so-called conveniences of a large city. 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. About an. ", Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, which is housed on the ground floor of Begich Towers. The massive structures were, for years, the two largest buildings in Alaska. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. Search was called, was the social center for the city is over 200 people Jenessa they! 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