The Whittier, Alaska Story

The town under one roof.

Whittier in 2006

For centuries, the area around Whittier, was part of a passage used by the Chugach people between Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm in Cook Inlet.

Both Russian and American explorers also used the passage, as did Gold prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush.

“In the mid-1960s, my brother Tom and I rode the train from Anchorage to Whittier.

We had never been there before, and our imaginations didn’t prepare us for what we would experience.

Our train chugged along in the two-mile-long tunnel cut through a mountain. As we reached the Whittier end of the tunnel, sunlight bathed our train car. And much to our surprise, there it was.

On the right side of the train was a tiny city made up of multi-story, gray concrete buildings reaching skyward in the shadow of a mountain. It looked as if it had, at one time, been a movie set for an episode of the classic “Twilight Zone” TV series.” Mike of Anchorage Memories.

Where is this Town Called Whittier, Alaska?

You’ll find it by driving your vehicle or taking the Alaska Railroad about 60 miles southeast from Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway, bordered by Cook Inlet. Your journey includes a two-mile trip through a mountain tunnel.

Named after a Glacier that was Named after a Poet

Photo Credit: @scenicandsavvy

In 1915, a nearby glacier (Whittier Glacier, pictured above) was named for the American Poet, John Greenleaf Whittier.

Later, the new town was named Whittier.

Yes, You can Share this Edition

Imagine how amazed your friends and family will be when you share this edition of the Anchorage Memories VIP Club with them. They will be so happy.

Just click on the following link:

The World War II Connection

During World War II, an Army port, and railroad facility was constructed near the glacier. It was given the name, Camp Sullivan.

For a While, They Were the Biggest Buildings in Alaska

In the photo above is the Buckner Building.

Completed in 1953, the Buckner Building once housed all of Whittier.

When the Buckner and Hodge buildings were built, they were the tallest buildings in Alaska.

The ALCAN Highway Connection

In the photo above is the 14-story Hodge Building, later renamed Begich Tower.

Completed in 1957, the Hodge Building was named after Colonel Walter William Hodge, who was the commanding officer of the 93rd Engineer Regiment on construction of the Alaska Highway, also known as the ALCAN Highway.

Later converted into condominiums and renamed Begich Towers, this location is now home to most of Whittier.

Nick Begich

Pictured above is Nick Begich, an Alaska political figure.

March 27, 1964

On the afternoon of Good Friday, March 27, 1964, Alaska was struck by a 9.2 quake that shook for 5 minutes. As a result, Whittier sustained over $10 million dollars in damage.

Fact about Whittier

Did you know that Whittier, Alaska, is the wettest city in the United States?

It averages a soggy 197.8 inches of rain each year. And in the winter, Whittier receives 249 inches of snow.

Whittier Population

Town folk number around 255 hearty souls.

Share the King Crab

In the mid-1960s, the restaurant in Whittier had a sign that read something like this.

“If you catch a crab and bring it here to share with everyone, we’ll cook it for free”

Mike of Anchorage Memories recalls the time when his brother Tom was fishing off the dock in Whittier. As he reeled in his line, he noticed there was something heavy on his hook. When it got closer to the surface, Tom was surprised to see that a King Crab had grabbed hold of his line.

So Tom took his catch to the restaurant, walked in the door, held up the crab and declared, “fresh King Crab all around.” The restaurant erupted in happy cheers.

BONUS

Do you want to know more?

Take a look at Whittier, Alaska and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at Government Hill.

“A 194-page book was published in 2012 titled “Government Hill Yesterday and Today”. It’s an oral history. Readers might want to check it out. The Anchorage Museum Library and probably the Municipal Library in Anchorage would have it.”

Larry

Connect with Mike and Mary

If you live in Anchorage or visit there some time, you should make a trip to Whittier. It’s a unique place with an interesting history.

Do you have a comment about visiting Whittier? You can reply to this email. Or do you want to Contact Us now to say, “I held my breath through the Whittier Tunnel”?

We’d love to hear from you.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com