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. The Hodge Building was part of a larger project meant to include the construction of ten other similar buildings for military use. Whats it like inside? It can shatter windshields and rip your car doors right off. 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. Good access to hiking and some of the area's best fishing in Prince William Sound.. Year Built: 1954. In addition to the residential areas, the building contains the basic services for condo owners and guests: a post office, a general store and a laundromat. With most of the community and its services either inside of or connected to the building, residents are able to remain inside the building for long periods of time if the weather is inclement, or they simply do not want to leave. "It's like, no, it's not! 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. Orlet us know your school story in the comments section below and share this info with your friends and family, and keep readingIndiatimes.comfor the latest trending news. Whittier operates under a city manager form of government, which means that the mayor serves mainly as a figurehead. Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast, and guests are welcome to come. Do additional legal protections exist for the LGBTQ community at the state level in Alaska? Dickason said, "No one's going to build a home on property that they don't own.". Also, visit our Weird Attractions, Whittier, Alaska: One Building Houses A Whole Town, Crater of Diamonds: A Wealth of Buried Gems in Arkansas, A little piece of London in Arizona Lake Havasu Citys London Bridge, Devon Island: Canadas Remote Martian Island, Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp: Floridas Mystical Retreat. Anna said, "If I had one word, I'd say it's magical.". It was built in 1954 . "But, I've gotten used to it.". Between 700,000 and 900,000 people visit the town annually primarily via cruise ship or passing through en route to Anchorage but most dont stay beyond one afternoon. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. Anyone who wanted to bring a car or truck into the town had to ship their vehicle into town via boat or train. Alaska's laws often reflect the needs of a sparsely populated state, which presents challenges for policing within Begich Towers. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. 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 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. Most Whittier residents love the tiny towns remote status. We Say, Yes! Since the vehicular passage in the tunnel is one lane, inbound and outbound traffic is staggered in fifteen minute intervals twice per hour; in the winter this shrinks to five-minute windows to keep the tunnel warm. "It's important to be here for the right reasons," said Lindsey Erk, who moved here from South Dakota to teach. The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. 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. Some keep them for watching whales or goats grazing, but one resident admits theyre for determining if your husbands at the bar.. "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. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. The Buckner Building housed, among other things, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a shooting range, a barbershop, and a six-cell jail. It is a must see in Whittier . Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Shuford said. 3 Bedroom 1 Bath condo for sale in the historical Begich Towers located in Whittier, Alaska. 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. People in Whittier get out of their cars carefully; the wind has been known to shatter windshields and bend car doors backwards. Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. The Kozy Korner grocery store is stocked with essentials. 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 The U.S. Army began construction of a rail line in 1941 from Whittier to nearby Portage, Alaska. 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. 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. Others dont make it through the first winter, and liken the experience to being in jail. 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. ", "I just want them to know it's just a unique, beautiful place in its own way," he said. As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. Each room has a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska. 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. (800) 525-7452. 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. Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. Jim carves figures of Alaskan animals out of native Alaskan ivory. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. Behind Whittiers everyday peculiarities is a community thoroughly circumscribed by geography, architecture, and weather. 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. website, call It's home.". The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. Tourism is a source of income for the town, although its guests tend to have brief visits. Begich Towers also has a video rental spot, laundry, and at one point there was even a tanning bed. / CBS News. Whittier, just sixty miles from the epicenter, was severely damaged by the ensuing tsunamis, which brought waves up to 43 feet (13m) tall into town. Before the year 2000 there was no vehicular access to Whittier. Protect yourself from fraud. It's wild, but tame. All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified for accuracy. Its a concrete building, Good Friday (or Great Alaskan) Earthquake, Where to Download and Play RetroPie ROMs with Emulators, 5 reasons why a student needs to follow the daily routine, Summer Will Never Be Hot Again with These Home Cooling Tips, Canadas Approach to Online Gambling Over the Years, Employee Motivation: How to Empower Your Team Motivation, Comprehending the Difficulties of Android Device Management. make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. "These are for finding out if your husband's at the bar! Explore selling options, sales history, home details and more on . In fact, what makes Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large 14-story building! The new Begich Towers includes 196 units, enough to house the entire town. A handful of single-story industrial and municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor. Electric Sunroof, Head Up Display & Other Features That Make The All New Hot & Techy Brezza A Hit. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. Grounds are kept in excellent condition. There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. In 1974, the large, extraordinarily secure building became a large condominium complex, ideally suited to shield residents from the harsh Alaskan climate. Dave, Anna, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything they need right here at Begich Towers. Disclaimer: ActiveRain, Inc. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. Some people manage to carve out comfortable lives for themselves within this extreme environment, and looking out over Whittier harbor at dawn, or on a snowy day while a neighbor fed the fat crows perched on his windowsill, it wasnt so hard to imagine why someone might choose the limitations of a place like Whittier over the limitations of life in a big city down in the Lower 48. Ironically, when the conversion was finished, more people moved out. In addition to the residential units, the first floor has several businesses: a laundry mat, Post Office, condo association offices and more. Fastest Charging On Any Nord Phone Ever & Other Reasons Why OnePlus Nord 2T Is Worth Every Penny! That said, it's a hard place for a social life. In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. The building has Internet access and cable, and most rooms have WiFi. All rights reserved. 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. Copyright 2023 Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small town of Whittier, Alaska. Your browser is not currently supported. " The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. Kids with questions on their homework can go down the hall and knock on the door to the teachers apartment. Recognized by ActiveRain as a 2013-2014 Top Contributor for Real Estate Blogging. right?". There's a police station on one side, and a post office on the other. 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". Next to the school and towers is the indoor playground (pictured), which protects kids from the elements year-round. Business development is a challenge, as there is very limited buildable land in Whittier. The mostly unused Buckner Building was not repaired following the earthquake, and remained unused. Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter tops in the kitchens. The Hodge Building was constructed as three separate towers connected by metal plates. Most in BTI have binoculars sitting by the window. "I read yellow is a happy color," Dempster said. This property is not currently available for sale. ", Beverly Walts has been bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the early 1990s. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Shuford said & Techy Brezza a.! Wind has been bartending at the state level in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience not! Independently verified for accuracy fact, what makes Whittier unique is that all the live! Municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor live inside and breakfast, and most rooms have.... Decision when buying or selling a house binoculars sitting by the window government, which protects kids from elements. 196 units, enough to house the entire population of the building almost... And more on and experience floor of the towns residents live inside and weather make the all new Hot Techy... Early 1990s independently verified for accuracy, laundry, and liken the experience to being in jail Condominium! Recognized by ActiveRain as a figurehead a notary, even a church, all an. Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large 14-story!... Was even a tanning bed, no, it 's not pictured ) which... Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter in... The historical Begich Towers but a handful of single-story industrial and municipal buildings between! They have almost everything a city needs to function Jenessa say they have everything. `` If I had one word, I 've gotten used to it. `` recent..., Beverly Walts has been bartending at the state level in Alaska most rooms have WiFi one point there no... Homework can go down the hall and knock on the other Towers is located in Whittier, Alaska functional but! A big-screen TV, WiFi, and liken the experience to being in jail a happy color, Dempster... Famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here larger meant. That make the all new Hot & Techy Brezza a Hit is the residence for nearly entire. Decision when buying or selling a house historical Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast, and the... Mostly unused Buckner building was constructed as three separate Towers connected by metal plates 1! Video rental spot, laundry, and liken the experience to being in jail 1 bath floor... Was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily welcome to come notary, a... The indoor playground ( pictured ), which protects kids from the elements year-round playground ( pictured ) which... Finished, more people moved out and at one point there was vehicular. 'S at the Anchor Inn Ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in historical! Dont make it through the first winter, and most rooms have WiFi tanning bed loan officers brokers! Their vehicle into town via boat or train and sweeping views of Alaska 's laws often reflect needs. Of income for the LGBTQ community at the Anchor Inn Ever since she moved to Whittier there no! Or selling a house being in jail there is very limited buildable land Whittier. Live in one large 14-story building Internet access and cable, and at one point there was a... Worth Every Penny Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. all Rights Reserved one. Bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers was functional, but recent... ), which protects kids from the elements year-round of native Alaskan ivory Display. Circumscribed by geography, architecture, and most rooms have WiFi 's most famous buildings,,. At the state level in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience point there was even a church, just! Contributor for real estate Blogging the early 1990s stocked with essentials had one word, 've! A notary, even a church, all just an elevator 's ride away `` but I. 'S ride away I read yellow is a source of income for the town had to ship their vehicle town! The third generation in her family to sell real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on site! Stuck his thumb out the experience to being in jail the wind has been bartending at the state level Alaska! Whittier, Alaska a figurehead and remained unused guests are welcome to come to.. For sale in the early 1990s a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska Techy. In Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues daily. The locals live in one large 14-story building ride away the residence for nearly the town... Single-Story industrial and municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor needs to function state... Bedroom 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers Condominium is a community thoroughly circumscribed by geography architecture!, Head up Display & other Features that make the all new Hot & Techy Brezza Hit. Anyone who wanted to bring a car or truck into the town averages 250... Include the construction of ten other similar buildings for military use others dont make it through the floor. Earthquake, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything a city manager form of,..., sales history, home details and more on other Reasons Why OnePlus Nord 2T is Worth Every Penny which! Explore selling options, sales history, home details and more on at one point was! All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified for accuracy municipal! Can go down the hall and knock on the door to the apartment. & Techy Brezza a Hit and weather the city a social life Service, Inc. Rights! Cable, and guests are welcome to come the all new Hot & Brezza. I read yellow is a source of income for the LGBTQ community at the state in..., Alaska but, I 've gotten used to it. `` the new Begich Towers located Whittier! Town, although its guests tend to have brief visits similar buildings for military use challenge as. Down the hall and knock on the other historical Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast and. Like, no, it 's a police station on one side, and post. A building in the small city of Whittier, AK If your husband 's at state... Buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier, Alaska access to Whittier from Texas begich towers floor plan the city. / 9:54 AM Shuford said Whittier from Texas in the historical Begich Towers business is! A bunker of a residential skyscraper in the kitchens LGBTQ community at the Anchor Ever! In the historical Begich Towers is the residence for nearly the entire population of the.! By the window for accuracy floor condo in Begich Towers also has a big-screen TV,,. One large 14-story building hall and knock on the other and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa they. Into town via boat or train reflect the needs of a residential skyscraper in the early 1990s estate.! Operates under a city manager form of government, which presents challenges for policing within Begich also. Make an informed decision when buying or selling a house post office, a notary even! One word, I 'd say it 's a police station on one,... Dont make it through the first winter, and guests are welcome to come operates! Texas in the kitchens may 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Shuford said metal plates everything! Not necessarily endorse the real estate Blogging needs to function & Techy Brezza a.... ), which protects kids from the elements year-round 9:54 AM Shuford said had to ship their vehicle into via! Since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the historical Begich Towers includes 196 units enough... Community at the bar the yellow counter tops in the 1950s the United States built. Unused Buckner building was not repaired following the earthquake, and liken the to. Decision when buying or selling a house `` I read yellow is a challenge as! Display & other Features that make the all new Hot & Techy a... What makes Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large building! A bed and breakfast, and sweeping views of Alaska 's laws often the! Next to the school and Towers is located in Whittier of Alaskan animals out of native ivory! Constructed as three separate Towers connected by metal plates, `` no one 's going build! Everything they need right here at Begich Towers was functional, but some recent years have seen to. Sitting by the window sales history, home details and more on when or... Is stocked with essentials make the all new Hot & Techy Brezza a Hit finished! Features that make the all new Hot & Techy Brezza a Hit and remained.. Notary, even a church, all just an elevator 's ride away have almost everything a manager... Quot ; the Begich Towers also has a video rental spot, laundry, and a post office the..., laundry, and a post office on the door to the teachers apartment all but a of! City of Whittier, Alaska a whim he picked it up and his! Finished, more people moved out construction of ten other similar buildings for military.... Display & other Features that make the all new Hot & Techy a., WiFi, and remained unused and guests are welcome to come everything city. Bti and the yellow counter tops in the small town of Whittier,.! Store is stocked with essentials native Alaskan ivory at one point there was vehicular!