Begich Towers: Tour the most famous building in Whittier, Man charged in 1994 sexual abuse cold case, Fairview neighborhood to receive $537K in federal grant to reconnect community, Alaska groups celebrate Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples Day becoming city holidays. 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. . When Pastor Kevin Jones got a call from God to become a missionary, a friend suggested he go to Alaska. Each office is independently owned and operated. 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. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment of Alcan Highway. Its a concrete building. Begich Towers is an interesting housing complex where 95% of the Whittier population lives in this one 14 story condo building. The visitor asked the firefighter what he should do. The complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate modules connected via tunnels. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them Start a conversation, not a fire. Hes been here ever since. Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam? 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 Alaska Railroad Corporation is the majority landowner in Whittier, but it doesnt pay property taxes, and it employs few residents. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. But when the temperature dips below freezing, that window narrows to five minutes. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. And some people love it because it can be reclusive.. The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. Our suites are located in a historical building "Begich Towers", built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1957. Access detailed information on Whittier Community School,school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more. Erika lives in high up in the Begich Towers, a large pastel building that like it would be more at home in New Jersey than small town Alaska. ", "That there's nothing to do here," said Shen. 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. 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. Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. right?". In the winter he keeps warm with space heaters and staves off boredom by watching movies and reading books on his iPad. Protect yourself from fraud. But its also a friendly town in a spectacularly beautiful location. That's what fills my bucket, and that's why I want to stay.". Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. 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. The Hodge Building was constructed as three separate towers connected by metal plates. 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. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM The population of the city is over 200 people. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof". 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. Some keep them for watching whales or goats grazing, but one resident admits theyre for determining if your husbands at the bar.. The only way to get to Whittier is to drive through a one-lane railroad tunnel through the middle of a mountain. The U.S. government returned to Whittier at the onset of the Cold War. What if there's an emergency or something and I can't get out?" Ironically, when the conversion was finished, more people moved out. He is also the only officer who lives in town. 762 SqFt Condo In Begich Towers for sale in Whittier, AK. It's kind of a community under one roof. Whittier, Alaska, about 60 miles from Anchorage, is both beautiful and yet gritty. In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. Construction began on the 14-story Hodge Building in 1953. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. After a drug bust on the 10th floor of Begich Towers, the Whittier Police donated a hydroponic garden to the kids at Whittier School. The oldest surviving structure from this occupation is the Alaska Communication Systems (ACS) building, also the oldest concrete structure in Whittier (pictured below, source). 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. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for, o back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. (Sarah Bell / Alaska Dispatch News) Trouble in paradise Dempster, a. 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. The post office is near the buildings entrance and the police station is just down the hall. Cowan asked Shuford, "What do you want people to know about Whittier? Anna laughed. 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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. Named in honor of General Simon Bolivar Buckner, the large building crammed an entire military post into one building. Winters paint a different picture. [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for as little as $9,000. 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. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}604620N 1484108W / 60.77222N 148.68556W / 60.77222; -148.68556 Construction started with the Hodge Building, along with the Buckner Building 660 yards (600m) to the northeast, with both opening in 1957. "Before you judge the town of Whittier, you need to come visit it first.". On December 17th, 1945 the Army allowed the Alaska Railroad Company (the towns chief non-government tenant) to assume operations in Whittier. 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. "We don't need all of the big box stores," said Dave. Each office independently owned and operated. Whittier is only accessible by boat, and a single drive through tunnel which periodically alternates directions. Over the years the building has started to look a little rundown. 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 firefighters response:Go back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. The boiler is a problem, and most people complain about the drab military colors inside. This propelled Whittier into a more important role as other regional ports who suffered more damage were inoperable. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. There are benefits to living in the Begich Towers. 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. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. Because I dont know where it wants to go. Some residents would like to see growth and economic development in Whittier, but theres a sizable group who would just rather be left alone. But in fact, the opposite happenedpeople moved out.). The Magical Tree Of Life in Kalaloch Beach, Washington. , there was an army barrack at this place, due to which all the facilities are available here. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof".[1]. Great 2 Bedroom Condo with beautiful views of the mountains. Enjoy waterfall views from the 6th floor and an abundance of awesome outdoor activities. It was built by the military during the Cold War as a no-frills barracks. 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. Hospital To Police Station: This 14 Storey Building Houses A Complete Town In It, Copyright 2020 Times Internet Limited. (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. Google India Employee Gets Laid Off After Earning 'Star Performer' Award, Asks 'Why Me? OnePlus 11 5Gs Focus on Customer Satisfaction And User Experience Is Why Its A Phone For Keeps! 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. 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. Paranormal enthusiasts claim that the Buckner Building is haunted by restless spirits. Like everyone who lives on the harbor-facing side of Begich Towers, June keeps a pair of binoculars on her windowsill. The waitlist is often 10-20 years. The mostly unused Buckner Building was not repaired following the earthquake, and remained unused. Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. The building was designed in 1953 by Anton Anderson to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Buckner Building over here was named after General Buckner. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. 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. 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 building is composed of brick and steel, making it safe . Floral Dresses To Chic Bags - Heres How I Refreshed My Summer Closet From Flipkart On A Budget! Of course, not all residents are friends with each other, but they help each other if required. Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949. In the 1950s the Army began construction on BTI (then called the Hodge Building) and another barracks, the Buckner Building, which was built for enlisted men. Explore selling options, sales history, home details and more on . The monthly dues cover the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. He wastes as little as possible, letting the shape of the ivory define what he makes. Home Owner's Association privileges include the use of a large common room in the building for parties & entertaining as well as additional s. torage lockers & freezer spaces for rent. Photos from a recent listing: In Whittier population turnover can be high, understandable given the lack of consistent, year-round work. 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. Most in Whittier eventually found their way to the building, which was renamed Begich Towers (or BTI) after a missing Congressman. [2] After the war, the military planned to develop a large complex in the area. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. Nothings going to burn down.. Bob Prunella was brought to Whittier as an interim city manager, but he's now stayed here for two years. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. 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. Wealthy residents of New York who pay big bucks for condos with in-house amenities could only dream of such lavish luxury. Theres a health clinic on the third floor. In 1974, the Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners Inc. became the official manager of the entire structure.[4]. 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. All rights reserved. Each office independently owned and operated. In the summertime you can look out and see whales breaching in the harbor, or mountain goats grazing on the slopes across the water, but mostly people use binoculars to spy on their neighbors. on ActiveRain. 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. ", Beverly Walts has been bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the early 1990s. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "It really isn't," the mayor responded. First published on May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM. The two-year project cost $80 million to complete, and drastically improved access to Whittier. Innovative & Cutting-Edge: This Is Why Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tours Entry In Metaverse Was A Hit! 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. 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. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. The tunnel to Whittier, Alaska was built in 1939 and is the only road accessible way to access Whittier. In Kalaloch Beach, Washington 95 % of the building had almost a... Is n't, '' the mayor responded lives on the 14-story Hodge building in memory of William! 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