Spotlight on Whittier Alaska

Well, now you know one.....Whittier Alaska!

Whittier AK Gets Its Start

First off, it is a deep-water port that does not freeze over in winter. The same can't be said for many other places in Alaska. This was important to be able to get the military ships in and out, no matter the time of year.

Anchorage, for example, has very shallow water with silty and muddy coastlines.

Another thing that made Whittier Alaska the perfect spot for a World War II military base was the fact that is overcast in clouds many days out of the year, making it hard to spot from the air.

It is also tucked up tight between the coastline and the mountains, another reason that it was hard to find.

Fort Sullivan

There are two prominent (large) structures in Whittier. One is the all-in-one-building known as The Buckner Building. It is, except for local kids and an occasional hybernating bear, an empty structure.

The expense of carting off the demolishion debris is the main reason that the building is still standing. Debris would have to be sent out on ship or via the tunnel....both are expensive options.

The other building, The Begich Building, is now a condominium that housing most all of the residents of Whittier. It was originally built in 1953 to house soldiers. It is referred to as the "city under one roog".

The Importance of Whittier Today

One such service is the one that Sheri and I used to go on our Alaska Glacier Cruise.

In addition to these minimal offerings, Whittier (and it's tunnel) give easy access to The Prince William Sound. Whittier is only 11 miles from the Seward Highway, the major highway connecting to Anchorage.

Whittier is key to fisherman, hikers, kayakers and hunters.

You find, in Whittier, what you found in places like Ketchikan and Juneau...except maybe rain!

I'm just being honest.