Author Bio: Katrina is a top producing Realtor from Anchorage, AK. (See it on Google Street view). Most of the 200-odd residents of the Alaskan town of Whittier all live in the same 14-story condominium - Begich Towers - located on the edge of town. Check The Alaska Marine Highways Website for a current Port Schedule for Whittier AK. In fact, what makes Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large 14-story building! 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. "No kid in this school can sit in the back of the classroom and not do something. It was promoted as the City Under One Roof.. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. 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. A small percentage of the population lives in Whittier Manor, a low-rise condo that overlooks the clanking rail yard, and a couple of people live on their boats year round. The flat-roofed Hodge Building was the militarys residential tower, built for bachelors quarters and family housing. Nearly all of Whittiers population lives in this 14-story building. The Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK are a great place to call home. 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. This propelled Whittier into a more important role as other regional ports who suffered more damage were inoperable. Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. "But, everything's here. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. Today the asking price has risen to $35,000. It was built in three sections connected by metal plates so that it wouldnt crack apart during a quake. 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). "There's not a lot of, you know, single people in their twenties and thirties here I mean, I don't know why!" The Hodge Building was part of a larger project meant to include the construction of ten other similar buildings for military use. Whittier sits on the western edge of the Prince William Sound. The tower was built in the 1950s and features elevators. 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. Great 2 Bedroom Condo with beautiful views of the mountains. 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 You will not be disappointed if you end up living here. Grounds are kept in excellent condition. 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 serene setting,mountain and harbor views make this the perfect Alaska getaway. 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. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. ]. The U.S. Army began construction of a rail line in 1941 from Whittier to nearby Portage, Alaska. 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. Built in 1943, this self-contained secure facility housed the radio and telegraph communications equipment. But it poses such a liability hazard that the city finally put a fence around it last fall. During the summer the towns population swells as boaters, fishermen, seasonal workers, and tourists descend upon the small port. Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast, and guests are welcome to come. Thus, it is possible to save on heating here, which is especially important when a strong wind blows here most of the year, it is snowing or raining. (Sarah Bell / Alaska Dispatch News) Trouble in paradise Dempster, a. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. The Whittier Glacier and the eponymous town were named for American poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Over 700,000 people visit Whittier annually, but most tourists dont stay in town for longer than an afternoon, if that. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. The visitor asked the firefighter what he should do. 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 search was called off after 39 days; the plane and its four passengers were never found. Whittier Harbor, which never freezes, is one of the most desired in the area. The Buckner Building over here was named after General Buckner. Powered by June Miller runs Junes Whittier Condo Suites, a B&B on the Towers top two floors. Prices vary depending upon floor plan, size, view, condition, updating, and remodeling. We were tough in those days.". 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. Begich Towers, Whittier, AK Real Estate and Homes for Sale Pending 100 KENAI ST # #, Whittier, AK 99693 $75,000 3 Beds 1 Baths 933 Sq Ft Listing by Jack White Real Estate Pending 100 KENAI ST # #, Whittier, AK 99693 $98,800 2 Beds 1 Baths 730 Sq Ft Listing by RE/MAX of Alyeska RE/MAX AK Real Estate Begich Towers Real Estate What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. It was built by the military in 1956 for soldiers and their families and later became a home for civilians in 1973. 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. Next to the school and towers is the indoor playground (pictured), which protects kids from the elements year-round. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. Do additional legal protections exist for the LGBTQ community at the state level in Alaska? Each room has a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska. 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. 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.. Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. The Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners was incorporated in 1974 as a 196-unit condo community. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. 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. 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. / CBS News. About 225 people live here, most of the town. In 1972, the building was renamed Begich Towers Condominium, in memory of Nick Begich, a Congressman from Alaska who disappeared in the area and is presumed to have died in a plane crash. Shuford said. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. 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. Not all transplants survive the unique lifestyle at BTI. So it actually makes sense for the city's citizens to have everything in one place and live under the same roof. ]. 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. 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. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. This means that although there is a pervasive smell of marijuana in Begich Towers, the police can do little about it. ActiveRain, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations. But its also a friendly town in a spectacularly beautiful location. "It's like, no, it's not! The only way to get to Whittier is to drive through a one-lane railroad tunnel through the middle of a mountain. "We don't need all of the big box stores," said Dave. 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. the property described as unit no. Kids with questions on their homework can go down the hall and knock on the door to the teachers apartment. As of 2016, funding for repairs relating to maintaining mechanical systems and renovating the faade came with a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. government returned to Whittier at the onset of the Cold War. Fastest Charging On Any Nord Phone Ever & Other Reasons Why OnePlus Nord 2T Is Worth Every Penny! This property is not currently available for sale. [ Buckner Building: Named in honor of General Simon Bolivar Buckner, the large building crammed an entire military post into one building. . This property is not currently for sale or for rent on Trulia. The two largest of those are the Buckner Building and the Begich Towers. It's accessible, but also very remote. The towers are not 100% occupied. A skeleton crew stayed behind while the buildings were realigned as a sub-installation of AnchoragesFort Richardson. There's a police station on one side, and a post office on the other. Viewing: Begich Towers | Desktop Version | Listing Updated: 01/20/2023, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Apartments (142), Anchorage School District Apartments (603). 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35, Pandemic-era food benefits end for millions of Americans as costs rise. He was a violent racist and he hated blacks and Natives, so I always thought that building reflected him: all torn-down and abandoned.. After its military service the building was modified for civilian life. Charming small towns like Whittier are one of many reasons that Alaska is a place that every seasoned traveler must visit at least once. 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. More Info. she laughed. And you always have someone to talk to.". Adjustment is not easy, nor guaranteed, for those who make an attempt. "It really isn't," the mayor responded. WATCH: [Indie Alaska]I am a Whittier Teacher. It was built by the military in 1956 for soldiers and their families and later became a home for civilians in 1973. ", "I just want them to know it's just a unique, beautiful place in its own way," he said. Cowan asked Shuford, "What do you want people to know about Whittier? The town does seem to attract those searching for separation of something: Establishment. Recreational activities near Begich Towers Apartments are plentiful. The state of Alaska is rugged and beautiful beyond compare. Explore selling options, sales history, home details and more on . Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Find AK real estate agents Heres How To Choose, Where To Buy & More. 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. (800) 525-7452. Dave, Anna, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything they need right here at Begich Towers. Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, one of Whittiers two grocery stores. The average 3 Bedroom Apartment in Whittier is $1,585. 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. 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