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. But thriving harbor industriesfreight, fishing, tourismdont seem to translate into growth for the city. 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. Viewing: Begich Towers | Desktop Version | Listing Updated: 01/20/2023, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Apartments (142), Anchorage School District Apartments (603). 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. 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. Others dont make it through the first winter, and liken the experience to being in jail. Great 2 Bedroom Condo with beautiful views of the mountains. In 1974, the Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners Inc. became the official manager of the entire structure.[4]. When asked about Whittier's social life, Shuford said, "Yep, that can be a little troublesome. Contact Address: 110 Kenai Street Whittier, AK 99693 Phone Number: (907) 472-2484 Home AK Whittier Begich Towers Apartments Report an Issue Contact this Property (907) 472-2484 We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider needs as part of the school selection process. Whittier Community School serves families with children in grades K-12 who live in the Begich Towers condos. 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. Jim carves figures of Alaskan animals out of native Alaskan ivory. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them 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. Most Whittier residents love the tiny towns remote status. The building was designed in 1953 to host the headquarters of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Their past. [ Before the tunnel conversion began, BTI condos sold for, o back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. 762 SqFt Condo In Begich Towers for sale in Whittier, AK. The former Army barracks is often described. The fourteen-story high-risecalled Begich Towers, or BTIcontains a post office, a police station, a grocery store, a Laundromat, a health clinic, and a church. Over 200 people live in this apartment and get every facility inside the building. Gain valuable insight into the Whittier AK community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and the potential for extreme weather. Whats it like inside? Our suites are located in a historical building "Begich Towers", built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1957. This page was last edited on 21 December 2022, at 18:47. 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. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. On December 17th, 1945 the Army allowed the Alaska Railroad Company (the towns chief non-government tenant) to assume operations in Whittier. More Info. Heres A One Stop App For All The Needs! A handful of single-story industrial and municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor. The city officials are readily accessible on a daily basis. Instead they go directly from the cruise ship to a train that takes them to Anchorage. 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. Author Bio: Katrina is a top producing Realtor from Anchorage, AK. Too costly and dangerous to demolish, the building is still there today. First published on May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM. 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. The U.S. government returned to Whittier at the onset of the Cold War. It was built in three sections connected by metal plates so that it wouldnt crack apart during a quake. Directions by Sea: The Alaska Marine Highway serves the community of Whittier, AK with passenger service onboard the M/V Aurora. that are written by the members of this community. Another Good Friday disaster would strike in March of 1989. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. They do, however, get excited to take photos of Brenda and her reindeer. RE/MAX, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act and equal opportunity housing. Correspondent Lee Cowan asked, "It's not for everybody. In fact, what makes Whittier unique is that all the locals live in one large 14-story building! In 1998 reconstruction began to convert the rail-only Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnelfor dual-use, allowing vehicular access as well. Its a concrete building, he said. The Kozy Korner grocery store is stocked with essentials. During the summer the towns population swells as boaters, fishermen, seasonal workers, and tourists descend upon the small port. Hospital To Police Station: This 14 Storey Building Houses A Complete Town In It, Copyright 2020 Times Internet Limited. 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. Two winters ago the snowdrifts near Whittier School were piled so high that the principal let students go outside to take pictures of one another hanging from a street lamp. Disclaimer: ActiveRain, Inc. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. Mon, Feb 27, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 He was a violent racist and he hated blacks and Natives, so I always thought that building reflected him: all torn-down and abandoned.. With 200 inches of rain and 250 inches of snowfall annually, only the dedicated stay in Whittier through the winter months. Because villages in remote areas may go many months without a visit from an itinerant dentist, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has started a dental health aide program--the first of its kind in the United States. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Some people love it because IT CAN BE REALLY SOCIAL. Isolated By. The boiler is a problem, and most people complain about the drab military colors inside. The weather might prevent you from leaving the building for months at a time but you can go to the Kozy Korner grocery store in pajamas and slippers. Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949. Grounds are kept in excellent condition. 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?. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Avoid Scams and Fraud. The population drops to less than two hundred, and the streets empty as most of the town moves back indoors. Now, though, Begich is much more than . But when the temperature dips below freezing, that window narrows to five minutes. There is also a small Baptist church, two floors of bed and breakfast daily rentals, a conference room, and an indoor playground at the school. Of the thirteen Whittier residents who perished in the Good Friday (or Great Alaskan) Earthquake, only one body was recovered. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. The City Under One Roof (aka Buckner Building, pictured below) was completed in 1953. Pastor Kevin is a Southern Baptist, but most of his parishioners are Catholic immigrants from the Pacific Islands. Heres How To Choose, Where To Buy & More. Not all transplants survive the unique lifestyle at BTI. 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. Google India Employee Gets Laid Off After Earning 'Star Performer' Award, Asks 'Why Me? From amenities to availability, the community staff will be ready to help you find your perfect apartment. Floral Dresses To Chic Bags - Heres How I Refreshed My Summer Closet From Flipkart On A Budget! (Whittier has an EMT team but no hospital, so in the case of a nighttime emergency, a police officer has to run ahead of the ambulance to unlock each of the four gates inside the tunnel.). WATCH: [Indie Alaska]I am a Whittier Teacher. "We don't need all of the so-called conveniences of a large city. Home Owner's Association privileges include the use of a large common room in the building for parties & entertaining as well as additional storage lockers & freezer spaces for rent. It is 14 floors high and is made up of three modules connected together. About 225 people live here, most of the town. 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. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. "You know, you get to thinking, Oh man, the tunnel's the only way out. Begich Towers also has a video rental spot, laundry, and at one point there was even a tanning bed. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The east tower was built first, followed by the middle tower, and finally the west tower, which was finished in 1957. Begich Towers Incorporated discounts - what to see at Whittier - check out reviews and 1 photos for Begich Towers Incorporated - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Begich Towers Incorporated . At 11 pm the tunnel is locked for the night. The Buckner, as it was called, was the social center for the posts military, civilian and dependent population. In addition to residential apartments, the building houses Whittiers grocery store, laundromat, medical clinic, police department, post office, and the city offices. 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. ", 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. The plumbing system is certainly overworked. Because Whittier is surrounded by mountains, connecting it to other towns required significant tunneling. $175.00. There are 198 units, and in the bottom of the building is the police office, a gym, the city clerk's office and a store. This property is not currently for sale or for rent on Trulia. Request a FREE custom valuation for your Begich Towers Condo in Whittier AK. 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. Each room has a big-screen TV, WiFi, and sweeping views of Alaska. It's home.". 2023 ActiveRain, Inc. All Rights Reserved :) homeFair Housing: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Real Estate Agent with Come Home Inc License #16564, Affordable Condos with Unobstructed Views, Depending upon placement within the towers, each unit has an unobstructed view of the. 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. 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 town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. After the tunnel conversion, the trip to drive through cost travelers just $12. '. You will not be disappointed if you end up living here. 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. After the army left in 1960, Whittier citizens took over the building's 196 units. Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. 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. The state of Alaska is rugged and beautiful beyond compare. The Hodge Building was part of a larger project meant to include the construction of ten other similar buildings for military use. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. Post with kindness. The Begich Tower where everyone lives together, Police station to hospital everything inside one building, 'Itna Showoff', Internet Reacts To Urvashi Rautela Spending Rs 93 Lakhs For Her Birthday Bash, 'Suck Up To Serial Sexual Perverts Like Sajid Khan', Sona Mohapatra's Indirect Jibe At Shehnaaz Gill, Was There A Tiff Between Nawazuddin Siddiqui And Irrfan Khan? Those who stayed behind occupied the first four floors of the Hodge Building; other floors remained unoccupied. Whittier is relatively close to Anchorage, Alaskabut it is still difficult to access. Due to bad weather and roads, locals are not able to go anywhere and if they somehow manage to go out, they face lots of problems while coming back because there is no direct way to reach this place. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. 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. Beverly looked out at the snow whipping sideways past the window and told us, Down in the Lower 48, this would have a name., Whittier has a city manager style of government, which means that the mayor mainly serves as a figurehead, and the city manager, who is not elected but hired, is in charge of all the municipal operations. Some features of this website may not work until you update to a supported browser. [2] After the war, the military planned to develop a large complex in the area. When completed, the one-mile railroad tunnel through Begich Peak and the 2.5-mile railroad tunnel through Maynard Mountain combined for 13,300 feet. website, call 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. Today all but a handful of the towns residents live inside. He is also the only officer who lives in town. 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. 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. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking . ", Beverly Walts has been bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the early 1990s. Victor Shen also works with students here and he's also a graduate. It also has radar-unfriendly claustrophobic topography and famously terrible weather, which obscures visibility for much of the year. [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. Private Walking Tour in Whittier AK. Whittier started out in the mid-1950s as a military outpost. The search was called off after 39 days; the plane and its four passengers were never found. Listing content scraping by unauthorized personnel is strictly prohibited. It was promoted as the City Under One Roof.. During World War II the US Army set up military facilities in what is now the town of Whittier. There's a post office, a notary, even a church, all just an elevator's ride away. They also had a lot of civil rights actions here [in Alaska] in the forties; the Natives werent even allowed to sit in the movie theater with white people. Luckily there is a drain in the middle of the floor, because church is held in the basement of Begich Towers. / CBS News. Post your own FREE listing! Whittier operates under a city manager form of government, which means that the mayor serves mainly as a figurehead. Alaska's laws often reflect the needs of a sparsely populated state, which presents challenges for policing within Begich Towers. "But, I've gotten used to it.". 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.. It was built in 1954 . (Not only do books take up a lot of space, but they have a tendency to mold on boats.) The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast, and guests are welcome to come. The military was drawn to Whittier for many reasons, primarily because it is the states only year-round ice-free deep-water port. "Yeah, it is known as the weirdest city in Alaska," said her husband, Dave Dickason, who is Whittier's Mayor. And is made up of three modules connected together have extensively updated and remodeled since then not work you. 21 December 2022, at 18:47 many reasons, primarily because it can be a little.. Live inside make it through the first winter, and at one point there was a! Who live in one large 14-story building request a FREE custom valuation for Begich... Its four passengers were never begich towers floor plan ; other floors remained unoccupied Anderson led largest... 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