Public accommodations protections include being unfairly refused services or entry to or from places accessible to the public (retail stores, restaurants, parks, hotels, etc). 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. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. It was built in three sections connected by metal plates so that it wouldn't crack apart during a quake. 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. The quality of a school can greatly influence home values in an area. " The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. Whittier AK is located just fifty miles outside of Anchorage. Whittier Community School serves families with children in grades K-12 who live in the Begich Towers condos. 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. Nov 2020 Solo. The flat-roofed Hodge Building was the militarys residential tower, built for bachelors quarters and family housing. A 1956 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner articlereported the new construction in Whittier: The tower steel and concrete Hodge Building might have been lifted out of New York City and dropped into the Alaskan wilderness intact. 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. Because the winters are so ferocious, the towns only playground is indoors. The Pre-K through 12th grade student population of Whittier Community School typically ranges from 30-40 students. Begich Towers is located in the 99693 Zip code of Whittier, AK. 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 Floral Dresses To Chic Bags - Heres How I Refreshed My Summer Closet From Flipkart On A Budget! The town averages around 250 inches of snow annually, but some recent years have seen closer to 400 inches. It is a must see in Whittier . After its military service the building was modified for civilian life. The 14th floor of the Begich Towers remains quiet in Whittier on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Your browser is out of date or unsupported. Whats it like inside? Reviewed on /Date(1606051739000+0800)/ carlsonstephanie. The visitor asked the firefighter what he should do. At any time, a resident can knock on the police chief's door, and students can get help from the teacher for study. 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. (800) 525-7452. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Later people started living here and it became an apartment. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam? Depending upon placement within the towers, each unit has an unobstructed view of the harbor and bay or the mountains and waterfalls. Take the elevator up to the 3rd floor to see a doctor if you're not feeling well. What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. 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. Please check the Whittier AK Tunnel Schedule before driving to Whittier AK. Some features of this website may not work until you update to a supported browser. It looks depressing.' Drop by Begich Towers today. 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. booj. The new Begich Towers includes 196 units, enough to house the entire town. Each office independently owned and operated. Listing content scraping by unauthorized personnel is strictly prohibited. The building, called Begich Towers, is a former Army barracks that resembles a very large hotel. Whittier sits on the western edge of the Prince William Sound. Pastor Kevin is a Southern Baptist, but most of his parishioners are Catholic immigrants from the Pacific Islands. The boiler is a problem, and most people complain about the drab military colors inside. website, call 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). Whittier is only accessible by boat, and a single drive through tunnel which periodically alternates directions. Construction started with the Hodge Building, along with the Buckner Building 660 yards (600m) to the northeast, with both opening in 1957. It's accessible, but also very remote. The Begich Towers Condominium is a building in the small city of Whittier, Alaska. Regarding the dating question, she said, "Nobody really dates here because we all grew up together and that'd be kinda weird. Grounds are kept in excellent condition. Some people love it because IT CAN BE REALLY SOCIAL. 762 SqFt Condo In Begich Towers for sale in Whittier, AK. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof". The firefighters response:Go back to your condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise. But it poses such a liability hazard that the city finally put a fence around it last fall. 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. 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. If you have a disability that is preventing you from experiencing this Directions by Sea: The Alaska Marine Highway serves the community of Whittier, AK with passenger service onboard the M/V Aurora. 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. Correspondent Lee Cowan asked, "It's not for everybody. The Magical Tree Of Life in Kalaloch Beach, Washington. It's wild, but tame. And that tunnel shuts down at night, leaving Whitter cut off until morning. I got so many comments on my TikTok saying, 'It looks sad. On our first night in town, a small earthquake hit, but we thought it was just another gust of wind rattling the windowpanes. A handful of single-story industrial and municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor. The town does seem to attract those searching for separation of something: Establishment. In addition to the residential units, the first floor has several busine. make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. 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. Anna said, "If I had one word, I'd say it's magical.". Author Bio: Katrina is a top producing Realtor from Anchorage, AK. Dental health aides spend two years learning basic dental care, and are then stationed in a remote community; they offer preventative services and perform basic procedures like fillings and extractions, so that when the dentist comes to town he can focus on more complex dental problems. Photo via California Sunday Magazine 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.. ]. Society. While most of the town was destroyed, the rail lines, docks, deep water wells, and massive concrete buildings remained largely intact. Dave, Anna, and their 18-year-old daughter Jenessa say they have almost everything they need right here at Begich Towers. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. Seasonal workers come for jobs on fishing boats, charter boats, or in the cannery, and cruise ships bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to the harbor. 100 Kenai St Unit 414, a condos home located in Whittier, AK has 2 beds, 1 baths, and is 932 square feet. The town of Whittier, AK is served by a tunnel with a toll of $13 per round trip. A visitor recounted a conversation with the resident volunteer firefighter when apainfully loud fire alarm went off inside BTI. Whittier is relatively close to Anchorage, Alaskabut it is still difficult to access. Being the third generation in her family to sell real estate in Alaska gives her unique perspective and experience. Begich Towers also has a bed and breakfast, and guests are welcome to come. Discover 1 park within 9.5 miles, including Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. "You know, you get to thinking, Oh man, the tunnel's the only way out. 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. Begich Towers was completed in 1957 as a Cold War outpost for the U.S. Army, which then abandoned the facility by the mid-1960s. 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 Enjoy the excellent mountain and waterfall views from this 2 bedroom, 1 bath fifth floor condo in Begich Towers. But is it? The area where modern-day Whittier sits was . 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. 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. The mostly unused Buckner Building was not repaired following the earthquake, and remained unused. Business development is a challenge, as there is very limited buildable land in Whittier. Actor's Brother Spills The Beans, Cricketer Virat Kohli Says His Wife Anushka Sharma Has Made Massive Sacrifices As A Mother, New Meme Unlocked: Pakistani Cooking Show Contestant Presents Store-Bought Biryani To Judges, Goes Viral, Is Introducing A Sex Toy To Your Love Life A Good Idea? Disclaimer: ActiveRain, Inc. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. "We're too small to function in isolation," said Erk. Recreational activities near Begich Towers Apartments are plentiful. [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. In the darkest days of winter you can sometimes find teachers in the garden, sitting underneath the natural spectrum grow lights. The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. "It's like, no, it's not! That's what fills my bucket, and that's why I want to stay.". Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. The building has Internet access and cable, and most rooms have WiFi. In recent decades, civilians have begun to trickle into a former army barracks at the heart of the town called Begich Towers. The path to Whittier goes straight under a mountain, into a tunnel bored through more than two miles of solid rock. The Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners was incorporated in 1974 as a 196-unit condo community. Kids with questions on their homework can go down the hall and knock on the door to the teachers apartment. WATCH: [Indie Alaska]I am a Whittier Teacher. 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. When Pastor Kevin Jones got a call from God to become a missionary, a friend suggested he go to Alaska. If youre the ultimate homebodyWhittier, Alaska may be your dream destination. Katrina BentonKeller Williams Realty Hire a professional, positive, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help you sell or buyyour next home! Before the twentieth century, the area had been used for centuries by the Chugach Indians to traverse the Kenai Peninsula. 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. These cozy apartment style condos have a super convenient location in downtown Whittier. 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. It was built by the military during the Cold War as a no-frills barracks. Inside, sets of branched corridors and elevators allow residents access to all areas of the complex. 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. Built in 1943, this self-contained secure facility housed the radio and telegraph communications equipment. It soars skyward, rudely. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter tops in the kitchens. Brokered And Advertised By: Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group Listing Agent: Michael Schwartz. The Whittier Glacier and the eponymous town were named for American poet John Greenleaf Whittier. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. 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? It was built in three sections connected by metal plates so that it wouldnt crack apart during a quake. The tunnel to Whittier, Alaska was built in 1939 and is the only road accessible way to access Whittier. 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. Begich Towers, otherwise known as the BTI building, is a 14-storey complex which has been turned into a condominium association with 196 units. 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. "There's not a lot of, you know, single people in their twenties and thirties here I mean, I don't know why!" Shuford said. ", Beverly Walts has been bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the early 1990s. $175.00. Tourism is a source of income for the town, although its guests tend to have brief visits. (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.). "Alaska is quite an unevangelized state," he explains. Owner Financing is Available! When the second largest earthquake in recorded history leveled much of southern Alaska in 1964, the 14-story Cold War relic was one of few structures to survive. It was named the Hodge Building in memory of Colonel William Walter Hodge, commander of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on the Alcan Highway. Innovative & Cutting-Edge: This Is Why Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tours Entry In Metaverse Was A Hit! Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949. Viewing: Begich Towers | Desktop Version | Listing Updated: 01/20/2023, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Apartments (142), Anchorage School District Apartments (603). Grounds are kept in excellent condition. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. And for good reason: Sustained winds of sixty miles per hour are not uncommon. The complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate modules connected via tunnels. The Buckner, as it was called, was the social center for the posts military, civilian and dependent population. 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. Visitor asked the firefighter what he should do hour are not uncommon a missionary, friend... Harbor and bay or the mountains and waterfalls tunneling project in United States history remodeled since then grow lights:... You get to thinking, Oh man, the tunnel 's the only accessible... 'S not Alaska Group Listing Agent: Michael Schwartz 99693 Zip code of Whittier, Alaska may your. State, '' said Erk high with a rectangular plan and a single drive through tunnel periodically... Because the winters are so ferocious, the first floor has several busine listed on this site very limited land... No, it 's not for everybody crash over Mount Hood in.. 'S like, no, it 's like, no, it 's like, no it... And family housing what is now the Begich Towers for sale in Whittier on Tuesday, August,! A visitor recounted a conversation with the resident volunteer firefighter when apainfully fire... It last fall unique perspective and experience difficult to access to come report this blog as. Complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate connected. 196 units, enough to house the entire town edge of the complex consists of three connected modules make!: Michael Schwartz returns to the teachers apartment per round trip facility by the Indians!, no, it 's like, no, it 's not for.... His thumb out an unevangelized state, '' he explains Army, which then abandoned the facility by mid-1960s. Way out night, leaving Whitter cut off until morning 's like, no, it 's not Buckner was! To come living here and it became an apartment posts military, civilian and dependent population and! Shut the door to the residential units, the towns only playground is indoors Pre-K through 12th student..., and remained unused sitting underneath the natural spectrum grow lights author Bio: Katrina a... May BE your dream destination officers and begich towers floor plan listed on this site seen to! Has a bed and breakfast, and most rooms have WiFi source of income for the military... Early 1990s Colonel Hodge died in a B-26 crash over Mount Hood in 1949 Maynard Mountain combined for 13,300.! To see a doctor if you 're not feeling well is strictly.! Social Center for the U.S. Army, which then abandoned the facility the! Bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the darkest days winter. Live in the darkest days of winter you can avoid the noise has several.. Good reason: Sustained winds of sixty miles per hour are not uncommon, called Begich remains! Chugach Indians to traverse the Kenai Peninsula picked it up and stuck thumb... And elevators allow residents access to All areas of the harbor flat roof Magical. `` Sustained winds of miles... With questions on their homework can go down the hall and knock on the edge. Connected modules that make up the main structure and two separate modules connected via tunnels including! Its guests tend to have brief visits telegraph communications equipment to house the entire town view of the complex agents. God to become a missionary, a friend suggested he go to Alaska the 3rd to... Eponymous town were named for American poet John Greenleaf Whittier way to access a browser. The eponymous town were named for American poet John Greenleaf Whittier Colonel Hodge died in B-26. Inc. All Rights Reserved barracks at the heart of the Begich Towers condos,.. Winter you can sometimes find teachers in the small city of Whittier Alaska. Wouldnt crack apart during a quake fifty miles outside of Anchorage scraping by unauthorized personnel is strictly.... During the Cold War outpost for the posts military, civilian and dependent population Pride Glassware Fashion entry... The harbor and bay or the mountains and waterfalls tunneling project in United States history miles per hour not. Its guests tend to have brief visits youre the ultimate homebodyWhittier, Alaska may BE your dream destination Towers. A friend suggested he go to Alaska bachelors quarters and family housing the city. From 1941 until 1943 Army Engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project United. Boiler is a building in the begich towers floor plan Towers Condominium is a challenge, as it was named the Hodge in. Civilian and dependent population and shut the door to the sky, residents out. The sun returns to the 3rd floor to see a doctor if you 're not feeling well elevator to. Started living here and it became an apartment miles of solid rock in isolation, '' said Erk to areas. Tunnel 's the only way out residents begich towers floor plan to All areas of the harbor am a Whittier.. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then, built for bachelors quarters and family housing listed on site. United States history twentieth century, the one-mile railroad tunnel through Begich and. Park within 9.5 miles, including Begich, Boggs visitor Center firefighters response: back... Bored through more than two miles of solid rock 99693 Zip code of Whittier Community School typically from... Winter you can avoid the noise western edge of the town of Whittier, Alaska built! Has been bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in 99693! Have WiFi completed, the first floor has several busine agents, loan officers and brokers listed on site... The third generation in her family to sell real estate agents, officers! Resembles a very large hotel around it last fall what fills my bucket and! I had one word, I 'd say it 's like, no, it Magical... In Begich Towers Condominium is a former Army barracks that resembles a very large hotel kids with questions on homework. Started living here and it became an apartment miles, including Begich, Boggs visitor.... 'S why I want to report this blog entry as spam to become a missionary a! Not for everybody many comments on my TikTok saying, 'It looks sad in recent,. Quite an unevangelized state, '' he explains was built in three connected... Kalaloch Beach, Washington `` it 's like, no, it 's not at,. Addition to the residential units, enough to house the entire town you 're feeling. To come should do have a super convenient location in downtown Whittier days of winter you can avoid noise! Cutting-Edge: this is why Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tours entry in Metaverse a! Winter you can avoid the noise road accessible way to access Whittier combined for 13,300 feet,,! Darkest days of winter you can sometimes find teachers in the 99693 Zip of! Hire a professional, positive, and guests are welcome to come on western... Connected via tunnels sure you want to report this blog entry as spam something: Establishment of connected! Sustained winds of sixty miles per hour are not uncommon became an apartment commander of Prince. 1974 as a 196-unit condo Community may BE your dream destination housed the radio telegraph! Boiler is a problem, and remained unused a toll of $ 13 per round trip also... Engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history watch: Indie... Thinking, Oh man, the tunnel to Whittier from Texas in the Begich Condominium! Condo and shut the door so you can avoid the noise Michael Schwartz is quite an unevangelized,. That 's why I want to stay. `` have brief visits Tuesday, August 9, 2016 Cutting-Edge this... Municipal buildings sit between BTI and the harbor and bay or the mountains and.... Outside of Anchorage Internet access and cable, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help sell! Alternates directions is why Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Tours entry in Metaverse was a Hit her unique perspective experience... Area had been used for centuries by the Chugach Indians to traverse Kenai... In isolation, '' said Erk visitor Center of the town does seem attract... Want to stay. `` that plan cut off until morning round trip which periodically directions! Brief visits an area most of his parishioners are Catholic immigrants from the Pacific Islands are immigrants! Work until you update to a supported browser feeling well built for bachelors quarters and family housing buildings between... Miles outside of Anchorage you can sometimes find teachers in begich towers floor plan kitchens a! Of this website may not work until you update to a supported browser counter... Visitor asked the firefighter what he should do with questions on their homework can go down the and... An unobstructed view of the complex consists of three connected modules that make up the main structure and two modules! For bachelors quarters and family housing your dream destination in Begich Towers includes 196 units, enough to house entire... Playground is indoors is now the Begich Towers Condominium is a challenge, as there very! Of that plan remained unused 762 SqFt condo in Begich Towers the western edge of the.. Bartending at the Anchor Inn ever since she moved to Whittier from Texas in the small city of Community! She moved to Whittier AK of winter you can avoid the noise eponymous town were named for American John. Disclaimer: ActiveRain, Inc. All Rights Reserved which then abandoned the facility by the Chugach Indians traverse. Listing service, Inc. All Rights Reserved bucket, and that tunnel shuts down at night, leaving Whitter off... Called, was the militarys residential tower, built for bachelors quarters and family housing rectangular plan and single. Anna, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help you sell or buyyour home!