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Whittier
 Whittier,
Alaska .... a once-isolated town is the area's gateway to Prince
William Sound. Whittier, at the head of the Passage Canal, originally
was part of the portage route for the Chugach Indians of Prince
William Sound traveling to fish the Turnagain Arm:later the Russians
and Americans exploring the region also used this portage. It was used
extensively by prospecting miners during the gold rush as it was the
quickest passage from the Sound to the Cook Inlet and Interior
regions.
The city itself is a
historical landmark, established by the U.S. Army during World War II.
The Whittier railroad to Portage was completed in 1943 and became the
primary debarkation point for cargo, troops, and dependents of the
Alaska Command. In 1948 the military began construction of the first
of two buildings for their military personnel as the Port of Whittier
was then recognized as an ice-free, deep water port strategically
located to Anchorage and Interior Alaska. This remained active until
1960 at which time the total population was 1,200. The city of
Whittier, incorporated in 1969, purchased the town site from the
federal government in 1973. Today, less than 300 people reside in the
town supporting the Alaska State Ferry, the Alaska Railroad, the
Alaska Hydra Train, the military tank farm for aviation fuel, the
Small Boat Harbor and tourism in general.
You can see Birds, Sea
Otter, Seal, Whale, Sea Lion, Porpoise, Glaciers, Waterfalls, (watch
Horse Tail Falls flow up!) Goat, Deer, Bear and more in Whittier!
Hike the Portage Pass
Trail or to the Salmon Runs, beachcomb, bird watch and pick berries.
Water sports include boating, sailing, kayaking, and scuba diving.
Winter time sports activities include snow shoeing, cross country
skiing, and snowmobiling. Whittier is a photographers paradise.
Sights of Interest
include the Begich Towers, formerly the Hodge Building, contains 198
apartments and is 14 stories high. Over half of Whittier’s population
live in this building which is now a condominium. The Buckner Building
known as "the city under the roof" was central to this isolated Army
outpost. It contained 1,000 apartments, a hospital, bowling alley,
theater, library, shops, gymnasium, and pool. This design greatly
reduced the need for snow removal which sometimes exceeds 14 feet.
This building is now vacant. In the 1950’s private developers built
the Whittier Manor for civilian employees or military personnel who
were ineligible for family housing elsewhere. This building has also
been turned into condominiums and is where the other half of Whittier
resides. There is also the Whittier Visitor’s Center which is housed
in a 1957 rail car, originally built for the Union Pacific as a
cafeteria car. |
