Until he moved away, Pastor Kevin Jones, a Southern Baptist, presided over a mostly Catholic congregation. During World War II the US Army set up military facilities in what is now the town of Whittier. Begich Towers also features a small bed and breakfast so that visitors can experience Whitters warm sense of community. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. 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. Whittier sits on the western edge of the Prince William Sound. [ During the winter of 1956/57, the Port of Whittier received a record snowfall of 72 feet. Whats it like inside? The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. Public accommodations protections include being unfairly refused services or entry to or from places accessible to the public (retail stores, restaurants, parks, hotels, etc). Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. The tunnel to Whittier, Alaska was built in 1939 and is the only road accessible way to access Whittier. When the military left, the Alaska Railroad took over. In addition to the residential units, the first floor has several businesses: a laundry mat, Post Office, condo association offices and more. In the summertime Whittier is bustling. During his tenure, Lester has been interested in gaining exposure for Whittier and really putting it on the map; he has recently been in talks with two reality television production companies and the producers of a Gerard Butler submarine movie. June's Whittier Bed and Breakfast Condos is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Whittier, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The complex has a shop . Each room has a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska. Whittier operates under a city manager form of government, which means that the mayor serves mainly as a figurehead. The population of the city is over 200 people. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. 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. One benefit of living at BTI is that kids dont need jackets when they go to school in the winter because the towns school was built immediately behind Begich Towers; it connects to the base of the west tower via an underground tunnel, which shields the kids from Whittiers extreme winter weather. Its a concrete building. 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. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. It was a long, Brutalist monolith nestled into the side of the mountain on the east side of town, and served as the operational headquarters for the military. $175.00. Whittier AK is located just fifty miles outside of Anchorage. Construction began on the 14-story Hodge Building in 1953. But it poses such a liability hazard that the city finally put a fence around it last fall. Great 2 Bedroom Condo with beautiful views of the mountains. It has 196 apartment units, most of which are . (Sarah Bell / Alaska Dispatch News) Trouble in paradise Dempster, a. Most of the local businesses in Whittier are in the triangle by the waterfront or Anchor Inn building, but employment options are limited. The tower was built in the 1950s and features elevators. Owner Financing is Available! Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. Theres no real threat of crime or terrorism. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. He wastes as little as possible, letting the shape of the ivory define what he makes. It is a must see in Whittier . This propelled Whittier into a more important role as other regional ports who suffered more damage were inoperable. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. The Alaska Railroad Corporation is the majority landowner in Whittier, but it doesnt pay property taxes, and it employs few residents. Of course, not all residents are friends with each other, but they help each other if required. All Rights Reserved. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. Katrina BentonKeller Williams Realty Hire a professional, positive, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help you sell or buyyour next home! 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. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. Before the twentieth century, the area had been used for centuries by the Chugach Indians to traverse the Kenai Peninsula. Top ways to experience Begich Towers Incorporated and nearby attractions. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls, with views of an inlet filled with whales, otters and puffins, tucked below a rocky mountain vista sits the Begich Towers. Housing protections include being unfairly evicted, denied housing, or refused the ability to rent or buy housing. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. The Hodge and the Buckner Composite building, dubbed a city under one roof, are the largest most modern inhabited structures built by the Corps of Engineers since the Pentagon.. Victor Shen also works with students here and he's also a graduate. And for good reason: Sustained winds of sixty miles per hour are not uncommon. "I can remember the old tough Alaskan style, you party all night till five in the morning, and then you went to the cannery at seven to start pitching fish. Whittier started out in the mid-1950s as a military outpost. The main 14-story apartment complex, Begich Towers, contains 150 two- or three-bedroom apartments, the kind of density that could foster a devastating infection rate in the tiny population.. In 1948 construction began in Whittier on the first of two enormous concrete structures. Whittier Harbor, which never freezes, is one of the most desired in the area. Heres A One Stop App For All The Needs! A handful of single-story industrial and municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The room used by the church is in the basement; until recently a Southern Baptist presided over the mostly Catholic congregation. The military was drawn to Whittier for many reasons, primarily because it is the states only year-round ice-free deep-water port. In the basement of the Hodge Building, the plastic-lined water containers were also undisturbed. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. 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. ", "I think the weirdest question that I got was like, 'Is it a cult?'" Post your own FREE listing! 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. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small town of Whittier, Alaska. Ironically, when the conversion was finished, more people moved out. A police station, grocery store, clinic, church, convenience store, and school are all housed within the structure. ", "That there's nothing to do here," said Shen. 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. The monthly dues cover the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. It can shatter windshields and rip your car doors right off. make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. It is 14 floors high and is made up of three modules connected together. It was built by the military in 1956 for soldiers and their families and later became a home for civilians in 1973. The description and property data below may have been provided by a third party, the homeowner or public records. Each office independently owned and operated. 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.". The firefighters response:Go back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. Begich was flying with House majority leader Hale Boggs from Anchorage to Juneau when the incident occurred. Most of the town people work in a deep-water port located a few hundred meters from their home. The building was named for Army civil engineer Colonel Walter William Hodge (pictured), the commanding officer of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. The complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate modules connected via tunnels. 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?. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. 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. 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. Private Walking Tour in Whittier AK. Perhaps the best reason to live in Begich Towers is its perceived invincibility. 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 1974, the large, extraordinarily secure building became a large condominium complex, ideally suited to shield residents from the harsh Alaskan climate. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. Begich Towers also has a video rental spot, laundry, and at one point there was even a tanning bed. On our first night in town, a small earthquake hit, but we thought it was just another gust of wind rattling the windowpanes. Regarding the dating question, she said, "Nobody really dates here because we all grew up together and that'd be kinda weird. 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. "You know, you get to thinking, Oh man, the tunnel's the only way out. There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. 100 Kenai St Unit 414, a condos home located in Whittier, AK has 2 beds, 1 baths, and is 932 square feet. "We don't need all of the so-called conveniences of a large city. 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. Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949. Mon, Feb 27, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for, o back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. Some easily adjust and stay for 20+ years. The Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK are a great place to call home. Request a FREE custom valuation for your Begich Towers Condo in Whittier AK. Business development is a challenge, as there is very limited buildable land in Whittier. In the US state of Alaska, there is a town called Whittier. Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. More Info. The population drops to less than two hundred, and the streets empty as most of the town moves back indoors. With 200 inches of rain and 250 inches of snowfall annually, only the dedicated stay in Whittier through the winter months. What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. There are benefits to living in the Begich Towers. Another Good Friday disaster would strike in March of 1989. Cowan asked, "What don't people understand about Whittier? Google India Employee Gets Laid Off After Earning 'Star Performer' Award, Asks 'Why Me? 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". 60 miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. 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. 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. In the winter he keeps warm with space heaters and staves off boredom by watching movies and reading books on his iPad. Good access to hiking and some of the area's best fishing in Prince William Sound.. Year Built: 1954. In addition, we feature unusual hotels and restaurants. There are also some health and safety problems. In recent decades, civilians have begun to trickle into a former army barracks at the heart of the town called Begich Towers. The U.S. Army began construction of a rail line in 1941 from Whittier to nearby Portage, Alaska. Too costly and dangerous to demolish, the building is still there today. You will not be disappointed if you end up living here. In the darkest days of winter you can sometimes find teachers in the garden, sitting underneath the natural spectrum grow lights. 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 Buckner, as it was called, was the social center for the posts military, civilian and dependent population. Correspondent Lee Cowan asked, "It's not for everybody. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. It soars skyward, rudely. Home Details for 401 Begich Towers Property Information Year Built Year Built: 1940 LGBTQ Local Legal Protections Homes for Rent Near 401 Begich Towers Off Market Homes Near 401 Begich Towers 401 Begich Towers, Whittier, AK 99693 is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 740 sqft property built in 1940. If you have a disability that is preventing you from experiencing this Because the weather can be so extreme, kids often walk to school via an underground tunnel. The town of Whittier, AK is served by a tunnel with a toll of $13 per round trip. "But, I've gotten used to it.". 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. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. But thriving harbor industriesfreight, fishing, tourismdont seem to translate into growth for the city. He was a violent racist and he hated blacks and Natives, so I always thought that building reflected him: all torn-down and abandoned.. Find similar condos for sale to the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. The Begich Tower was built by the U.S. Army in 1952 to be used as a barracks during the Cold War. 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. 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. This property is not currently available for sale. It's home.". Most in BTI have binoculars sitting by the window. Part of the heating system has been replaced. Luckily there is a drain in the middle of the floor, because church is held in the basement of Begich Towers. Your email address will not be published. That's what fills my bucket, and that's why I want to stay.". 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. "We don't need all of the big box stores," said Dave. It's wild, but tame. Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. On December 17th, 1945 the Army allowed the Alaska Railroad Company (the towns chief non-government tenant) to assume operations in Whittier. I mean, when you think of all those things that you value in a community, we found that here. 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. And if you have pet reindeer, you can keep them in a pen behind the building. "There's not a lot of, you know, single people in their twenties and thirties here I mean, I don't know why!" 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. A tiny community in Alaska takes standard "small town" vibes to a whole new level though. Access detailed information on Whittier Community School,school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more. Parents dont have to worry about kids and traffic at the indoor playground. ", 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. Completed in 1957, the building has a rectangular plan and a flat roof. 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. Story produced by Sari Aviv. Use the map to locate points of interest like shopping, restaurants, andhealth care services. 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. Winters paint a different picture. 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 As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. 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. Less than ten percent of Whittier's population lives there. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. The location was strategically important because of its deep-water port, which stayed ice-free all year long, and its lousy weather: the near-constant cloud cover made it difficult for enemy aircraft to spot. The Buckner, as it was called, was the social center for the posts military, civilian and dependent population. A visitor recounted a conversation with the resident volunteer firefighter when apainfully loud fire alarm went off inside BTI. BTI may not have everything you want, but it has everything you need. , there was an army barrack at this place, due to which all the facilities are available here. Nothings going to burn down.. Copyright 2023 Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Did you know about these amazing buildings before? Whittiers school is connected to Begich Towers by an underground tunnel, so young residents never have to brave harsh wind and snow on their way to the classroom. It also has radar-unfriendly claustrophobic topography and famously terrible weather, which obscures visibility for much of the year. 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. that are written by the members of this community. [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. Powered by Indiatimes Lifestyle Network. Before the year 2000 there was no vehicular access to Whittier. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. The two-year project cost $80 million to complete, and drastically improved access to Whittier. During our time in town, a number of residents alluded to Whittiers wilder days, when you could go there to escape life on the other side of the tunnel. 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 problems were traced back to the hydronic loop using water, which was susceptible to freezing, instead of a mixture of domestic water and glycol, which lowers the freezing point and prevents pipes from bursting due to ambient temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius. Residents sell food and crafts to visitors, but most of the tourists money goes straight out the tunnel. It was built by the military during the Cold War as a no-frills barracks. The former Army barracks is often described. A pot bust on the tenth floor led to the police donating hydroponic equipment to Whittiers school for a vegetable garden, which Joey Lipscomb oversaw through eighth grade. Built in 1943, this self-contained secure facility housed the radio and telegraph communications equipment. / CBS News. A few years ago, a pot grower on the 10th floor had just finished a harvest and decided to get rid of some of the evidence by flushing it down the toilet. Inside, sets of branched corridors and elevators allow residents access to all areas of the complex. And you always have someone to talk to.". Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. In 1974, the Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners Inc. became the official manager of the entire structure.[4]. 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. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. 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). Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. The exterior of the building is getting power-washed and painted and inside the tan colored hallways have been replaced by bright yellow. Because the winters are so ferocious, the towns only playground is indoors. Proving the Whittier experience is not for everyone, it hasmixed reviews on TripAdvisor. The Pre-K through 12th grade student population of Whittier Community School typically ranges from 30-40 students. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. People in Whittier refer to Bob as something called "old Alaska"--he settled in a pre-pipeline Wrangle during Alaska's Wild West days. The plumbing system is certainly overworked. ]. Author Bio: Katrina is a top producing Realtor from Anchorage, AK. The boiler is a problem, and most people complain about the drab military colors inside. Nearly all of Whittiers population lives in this 14-story building. The next day we were on the ground floor at the grocery store when a painfully loud fire alarm went off. Most in Whittier eventually found their way to the building, which was renamed Begich Towers (or BTI) after a missing Congressman. Bob Prunella was brought to Whittier as an interim city manager, but he's now stayed here for two years. 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. About 300 or so residents live here year-round, many of them new families. You have to be willing to work with each other.". right?". The Buckner Building over here was named after General Buckner. Powered by The north side has two protruding modules that form two square towers. 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.
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