Located on the remote shores of Alaska's Passage Canal, Whittier has garnered global attention for its unique living arrangement. Nearly the entire population of 263 (as of 2023) resides in the 14-story Begich Towers Condominium.
Begich Towers houses almost 200 apartments and boasts a variety of amenities, including a post office, convenience store, laundromat, church, police station, and even an indoor tunnel leading to the school and an indoor playground. Residents can meet their basic needs without venturing outside, a significant advantage during Alaska's harsh winters.
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Begich Towers Condominium, home to the entire town. Photo: New York Post |
Begich Towers Condominium, home to the entire town. Photo: New York Post
This self-contained lifestyle presents challenges. Privacy is limited, and gossip spreads quickly. Disagreements can lead to awkward encounters in shared spaces like the laundry room, store, or elevator. Despite this, Whittier's residents have fostered a close-knit community where people care for and support each other.
TikToker Nikki Delventhal described Whittier as "the strangest city" she had ever seen, noting that the primary mode of transportation within the town is the elevator.
Whittier's unique history explains its unusual present. Established by the US military during World War II for its strategic location, the town, shrouded in cloud cover, was difficult to detect. In the 1950s, Whittier's population reached 1,200, primarily military personnel and their families.
During this period, in addition to Begich Towers, the military constructed the 25,000 m2 Buckner Building. This "city within a city" housed a hospital, movie theater, bank, and even a shooting range.
Following the military's departure in 1960, Whittier's population declined sharply. The Buckner Building was abandoned in the 1970s, falling into disrepair, leaving Begich Towers as the town's sole hub. The most resilient residents remained, and Whittier was officially incorporated as a city in 1969.
Today, Whittier's economy relies on supporting the Alaska Railroad and ferry system, freight transport, fishing, and tourism. Its unique character attracts over 700,000 visitors each summer.
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A restaurant inside the condominium. Photo: The US Sun |
A restaurant inside the condominium. Photo: The US Sun
Whittier's isolation is underscored by the single access road: a 4 km tunnel through the mountains, which closes nightly at 10:30 pm. This necessitates careful travel planning to avoid being stranded outside in frigid conditions. This isolation, combined with the all-in-one living arrangement, led one visitor to describe Whittier as the "perfect setting for the apocalypse".
First-time visitors might find Whittier's damp climate and isolated feel challenging. However, they are rewarded with breathtaking natural scenery and the experience of one of the world's most unusual communities.
Hoai Anh (New York Post, Times of India)
