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Begich Tower is a 14-story apartment building, housing 85% of Whittier town's population in Alaska, complete with a hospital, schools, and a police station.
Begich Tower - Where Whittier Town Resides and Works Under One Roof
Prior to 2015, the entire population of Whittier town, Alaska lived together in a 14-story building called “Begich Tower”. By 2023, residents of the tower comprised 85% of the population, with the remaining 15% residing in a nearby two-story house.
Begich Tower was constructed during the Cold War era (1947-1991). The building houses a hospital, schools, a police station, grocery stores, a church, a post office, and the town hall.
Whittier town is located in a remote area of frigid Alaska, about a 1.5-hour drive southwest of Anchorage city. Visitors can reach the town through a tunnel beneath the icy river or by boat. Previously, during winter, the only access was by train, but only under weather-permitting conditions.
Later, the state government converted a World War II train tunnel into a car tunnel. However, due to its narrowness, to avoid congestion, authorities designated it as a one-way road with direction changing every hour. The tunnel closes at 10:30 PM daily. Therefore, residents wishing to enter or leave the town must depart before this time.
In Whittier town, people don't suffer from rush hour traffic. They simply move from their apartments to the elevator and down to their workplace on another floor.
Whittier town boasts a rich and diverse cultural history along with stunning scenery. Each summer, the town of around 200 residents welcomes over 700,000 tourists. Kayaking, glacier cruises, berry picking, camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities for visitors. Additionally, they also visit the unique 14-story apartment building.
According to Monster
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
TravelGenius.comSeptember 28, 2023
