Abandoned Military Base Turned City | Largest Building in Alaska | Destination Adventure.

Entering the Buckner building is trespassing and will result in criminal charges. Any damages caused by entering the premises will result in additional criminal charges and civil liability. This building has not been maintained since it was abandoned by the military and contains numerous physical and environmental hazards.
Whittier Alaska, is a strange place with a bit of a strange story. This beautiful little coastal town is home to less than 300 residents, is accessible by boat or through a train tunnel, and most of what remains is remnants of an abandoned cold war military base. When the military abandoned this location, 35 civilians stayed behind to attempt to keep life going as they knew it. Since this town was built as a military base, there are no houses and these is only 97 acres of usable land, most of which owned by the railroad. The only place for the residents to live was the 14 floor apartment building, and they soon formulated a plan to buy it from the Government. 60 years has gone by since that time, and not much has changes in Whittier. The population has grown a lot, but still isn't enough to even fill the apartment building. Most of the other cold war era buildings have been repurposed into stores and businesses, but the largest of them all, the Buckner Building, remains abandoned. This 5 story building has been known since its construction as the "City Under One Roof" because it quite literally had everything a city has. From accommodation to entertainment, the Buckner had it all, and I was able to identify most of the recorded amenities. I was able to find my way to the bowling alley, jail, mess hall, multiple kitchens, shooting range, theatre and much more. To top it all off, I get to share it with all of you.
I want to give a big thank you to Brenda and Dave for their time and information. I also want to give a great big thank you as always to my wonderful Patrons. This channel is my full time job, and it is only possible because of my supporters. If you enjoy this channel, please consider supporting on Patreon: / destinationadventure
Or take a look at the Merch line: destinationmer...

[@steveleech7752]

I could listen to Brenda all day, she’s a natural storyteller who knows her town better than anyone

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

I’m a roofer, those roofs originally had drains. Long since no longer working. They may have actually contained the water for use but drains are common here in Florida . A lot of roofs have parapet walls so the water doesn’t run down the outside of the building. In this case it proved to be detrimental. Always watching from Panama City Florida, USA. 🇺🇸. No Snow Just Breeze !

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

Great video as always.

[@lloydholm7523]

I am thinking these must be a"pitch " roof, a natural form of low melt melt meant to be perfectly flat otherwise the pitch would run downhill. It used to be a government spec for roofs.Lloyd , roofer 38 years now.

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

Yes I’m from South Florida where it rains hard and a lot. A lot of roofs are flat with drains and overflow scuppers. When they pour the lightweight concrete ( zonolite), they pitch it to the drains and if they get clogged the water will go through the overflows. I know the type of tar you’re talking about but with those parapet walls the water had to go somewhere. We have two types of low melting point tar, pitch made with creosote and another kind that just has a low melting point. We used them on schools and government buildings. We also did a lot of base work (Armed Forces). I was in Roofers Union Local #57, we had a three year apprenticeship program. We learned all types of built up roofs. Towards the end of my career we were putting a lot of rubber roofs and some torch on applications but they didn’t hold up very good in South Florida. They might have improved by now. I had to stop working in 1991 when I got run over by a boat. The prop got me from under my left arm, down my back, my left hip and took off my left foot. After I painted and repaired roofs, and wood work. I’m retired now in Panama City Florida.

[@mrandrat625]

The people of Alaska are a different breed. Your interviews of the locals gives a refreshing look at life in the places you visit. It's a very unique experience for the viewers and one more thing that makes this channel special. Thanks for letting me adventure vicariously Dustin.

[@danielpierce2640]

I was up there in '01, and poked around in the old building. It made me nervous back then (falling debris, etc.)! The locals took a while to warm up to us, but we really enjoyed talking to them! So glad to see and hear more of Whittier! Thank you!

[@mattwilliams3102]

I love your introductions with locals. Makes it about the community and not you. So rare. Keep up the awesome work.

[@bcpioneer59]

Amazing old building, thanks for the tour through. I find it amazing that it was said no young people were living there, at one time and the population is so small. But I can not believe all the graffiti throughout the entire building being so isolated. Enjoy your trip we sure do

[@luckyedwards4870]

In case u wanna know... Flat roofs are for the ease of installing equipment on, i.e. generator, air conditioner, etc, and it's much safer to walk on them when necessary, plus they're cheaper. They're built with a drainage system, and when maintained there's no water build up or problem with that. I was hoping u would find, and unplug the drainage holes, to have fun watching all the water gush off the roof. Another good vid, Justin.

[@DannoM_]

Wow Dustin, that first half felt like a documentary! You are a documentary filmmaker!

[@savageg4594]

Awesome video, and a great look at the not so distant past. . . . that being said I noticed on a few of the pipes still had the old insulation on them.The buildings, especially military buildings back in that time frame had tons of asbestos . . . . .be safe

[@defaultdriftco00]

I KNOW this is gonna be 30 minutes of being glued to my screen!☺️

[@aaronvetters7331]

The gaps between the building sections are seismic separation joints, built into the building due to the seismicly active nature of the location. Over time and without maintenance, seismic activity and water intrusion have caused the foundations to shift enough the increase the gaps between the building sections. As for the flat roofs, I'm pretty sure they installed roof drains, but by now they are blocked solid. It's amazing to see what nature does to construction when maintenance ceases. Only 50-60 years and it looks like an archeological site.

[@garbonzo540]

Amazing cinematography, the intro was captivating. You did a great job telling the story of Whittier through its residence. It is a truly unique place with a lesser known history. We've been curious to see how the Buckner Building looks inside since we first laid eyes on it and, although hours could be spent exploring its endless maze of passages, I felt you provided an excellent tour. Thanks for taking the time to create the inspiring content that you do and to share it with us eager viewers who enjoy following along on the adventure. Safe travels!

[@HashDogg06]

I started to get that feeling like this was the beginning of a horror movie when he was in the bowling alley & in that tunnel, reminded me of a movie but can't think which one.

[@MarvelousWesty]

Lived in Alaska for 9 years. Explored the old base in Whittier one day and had a blast!

[@dconn74]

Awesome, yet again! Thanks for sharing.

[@dalmatiangirl61]

Seems like a nice little town, but I'm not living in a housing project.

[@johnbacon1854]

Wow..... what an incredible place. Such a shame that building is so far gone. Excellent adventure Dustin. Thanks for sharing. I love the interviews you entwine throughout these videos. Crazy to think they spent 2 years building that place, for a shelf life of just 5 years. Given the conditions there, 70 years onwards it is still standing. Happy and safe travels Dustin.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@Starduxyz]

The little bit of history at the beginning, was the best part imo !

[@superdave1949]

The Buckner Building has a real "Alien meets Silent Hill" vibe. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It definitely appears to be well past the state where rehab is possible. Great video Uncle D!

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

Really put me in mind of Fallout, especially Fallout 4. Almost wanted to start looking for stuff to scrap... LOL

[@guymorris6596]

It can be restored but being 270,000 square feet it would be a big financial investment.

[@nicholasdickson3891]

Not going to lie, I was waiting for those zombie things from that movie “I Am Legend” to appear around every corner in that building.

[@drewping2002]

Definitely a post-apocalyptic feel to the place!

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

@@drewping2002 you guys are always saying stuff like that. Seemed chill.

[@drewping2002]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI it's just something about Cold War era ruins.

[@sandasturner9529]

SAMEEEEE

[@endangeredmarmot4518]

I really enjoy your abandoned building explorations - this was a great one.

[@PurpleOnThree]

Wonderful video...came across it when I was researching the Buckner Building. My hubby and I rode our motorcycles to Alaska from Pennsylvania this past summer and we rode through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel for a quick visit to Whittier. Interesting history. Thank you! 💜💜💜💜

[@annitaphillips3038]

There is so much history in that little town. Thank you for sharing this and all of your adventures with all of us. I pray blessings over you and yours, and whatever you do, do it with your whole heart ❤

[@nathanbrand4607]

What an absolutely beautiful place I love places like that just small town charm thank you for showing all of us always enjoy your adventures take care

[@chrishill7568]

Dustin your eye for filming and editing is amazing!! Always awesome to watch your show. Thanks for showing us parts of the world most of us will never see. Really appreciate it.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you very much

[@gregmacdonald3559]

Thank you Dustin 🇨🇦❤️🙏🏻

[@rvman3359]

Awesome walk through an old time capsule. Time has not been kind to that building. Your drone shots are absolutely awesome. Thanks again.

[@johndeaton2698]

It’s not a leg press. I think it’s an old X-ray setup. You were looking at the table where someone would lay. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy traveling the country with you.

[@seanheaney8303]

Honestly man this video and many of your videos are top quality film pieces. Your ability to tell a story by using locals, places of interest, scenary and the sound track is really a true talent. I'm not sure how much you make off KZbin but I honestly think with the quality of your work you could make out very well doing the tourist videos for towns or working in documentary film making if you wanted too. This short video within 5 minutes made me want to go to Whittier Alaska and it was never even on my radar before as a place I wanted to visit. You really have a skill for film making/ inadvertent advertising. Someone would pay you handsomely to do this work for them. If this is what you can do by yourself i can't imagine what you could produce with an entire team. Cheers and keep up the great content!

[@carlaapostoli4450]

very interesting... it's beautiful there.. kinda reminds me of Rupert. Sending loads of love and white light energy for your safety.

[@elizabethmcintosh5238]

Some tense moments . Wonder if there are any photos of when the place was in it's prime...or even an interview with someone who lived there in that building. Amazing places you show us.!

[@drewping2002]

I was looking forward to seeing you film the Buckner! I saw it on the Discovery Channel "Mysteries of the Abandoned" and last episode when you said you were arriving in Whittier, I just knew you were going there! Absolutely did not disappoint! Awesome video, Dustin!

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you very much

[@davidbryant5934]

Wow ,now that's a piece of history monument or eyesore . What do u do,mmmmmm thanks Dustin .Always interesting

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thank you for sharing this cool location😊

[@prgfitz]

Yeah, really good work this week. Your videography and interviewing is showing real growth. Good on you, dude!

[@DJ_Drakon]

I have officially binged every single video over the past week, and I'm willing to do it again. You are my favorite adventure content creator and I can't wait to follow your travels in real time. Looking forward to seeing all this for myself someday.

[@Destination_Adventure]

This is awesome, thank you so much. You’ve invested some serious time into the channel over the past week, and I think that’s so great. I hope I can bring content you will enjoy for years to come.

[@jacobfrayer3836]

What an amazingly maze-like adventure! Great video Bro, don't sweat the frame shudder!

[@AlaskanMisfit487]

Lifelong Alaskans that’s explored WW II and Cold War military sites all over Alaskan. Been in the Buckner countless times and it’s my top 3 favorite sites in all of Alaska. The underground tunnels there are crazy

[@AlaskanMisfit487]

Movie theater is my favorite part too

[@darlenemurphy4968]

Wow, another ery informative and interesting adventure. Thank you. 😊

[@DsNutz692]

Fantastic job with this video Dustin, not only do you find such interesting stories like this but you bring it to your viewers in such an authentic way. Like many have said here, you’re a true filmmaker and you quickly became one of my favorite channels here on KZbin for a reason. Even going back deep into your archives since I found you a couple months ago, you’ve shown consistency the entire time and I can’t wait to see what you do next, not just weekly but way into the future. Even with how far you’ve come, even bigger success is in store for you my friend!

[@JangleandChop]

Fantastic Canadian content! Great work Dustin!

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@kindnuguz]

Fast forward 50-100 years and it will be falling and be a hazard (if not already). So the movement to preserve it would have to have the money to renovate and maintain it. It's amazing the roof is still holding and floors haven't totally collapsed. Tells you the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Sad as it is, everything comes to an end at some point. It's crazy to think that's been abandon about the same age as my parents and I'm in my mid 40's lol If it was utilized until 70-80s or so, then yeah maybe worth trying to keep but it might be time to say goodbye :( As always, thanks for the content and keep them coming, you're doing fantastic work.

[@jonsymmonds1120]

Thank you Dustin for once again taking me to a place I have never been!

[@trevorkenny]

Glad you were finally able to get some content from this place without the weather getting in the way. This place looks like a great place to live tbh.

[@davidharris4550]

Keep up the good work man i appreciate ur so down to earth and donr play up to the camera like some of the content makers do, so i gotta say thx for the entertainment 👍✌

[@garyking9908]

Wow that's changed a bit since I lived there about thirty five years ago

[@randybooth9192]

Dustin man that was another amazing video. Definitely never expected too see something like this thanks man🤘

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@pamelageren5853]

Just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy watching your adventures. I hope you continue to post them on KZbin. Best wishes!!

[@Jimsathome]

Another great Video Dustin. Interesting to hear the locals tell their stories and your drone shots were fabulous. I'm still hoping you make it to the Kenai Peninsula for some salmon fishing adventures.

[@paulstaab1705]

Very cool

[@chrishoward4546]

Great work sir thank you!!!!

[@billcooling1873]

Always a great film, Dustin! Your range of subjects and diversity of locations is so very well complimented by your honest, fun and respectful approach. Thanks so much, watching your journey is wonderful! A question, is there any summary of the music played in your films? It's all good stuff that I'd like to find on a platform somewhere to purchase some. Maybe I can only catch the names after each film? Thanks in advance. Calgary

[@darlene9154]

The government should be forced to clean that building up.

[@ericvonwiegen5672]

Nice 👍

[@deshb22]

Sounds like a much nicer Whittier than the one I grew up in in Southern California

[@SaltyNationalist]

🤔Hmm.. I see you threw Mick to the lobsters..🤣🤣 Fantastic explore.. And the back history from the locals helped fill in some of the details.. Stay safe Dustin..😁👍

[@AdairslivininAlaska]

Great to hear the story of Whittier from the residents.

[@bcbradley]

You make it look so easy

[@ksokie63]

Great video, at one time was probably a nice place. But as you can see clearly some of the damage done by vandalism . That roof system without drains built into it . Never seen that before. Thanks for sharing it was neat to see. Have great weekend 🖐

[@SaltyNationalist]

I'm pretty sure it has drains, but years of neglect and dirt and other stuff, I'm sure they are long since sealed with goop.. lol.

[@Gumeluvr]

Wow, that was really cool!

[@atodaso1668]

Amazing that such a massive building was only used for 4 years

[@muttdozer]

In my opinion the first step to preservation is getting the roof top pool situation handled. Drilling some holes around the lip of the roof would definitely help and slow down the decay. Just a thought. Love your channel btw

[@bekkylove742]

Loved this! Thanks

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent.

[@the_lost_navigator7266]

The area described as a mechanics shop looked like a loading bay to me. The crane would be used to lift heavy items off truck beds. It's a shame the roof drains were not kept clear, the building might be in much better shape. Another great film, thanks for sharing.

[@scottstewart3884]

Dustin, You don't want to know what made the hole in the Elevator Door.. Or the concrete wall into that tunnel.... Just be glad you didn't run into it............>Insert Ominous Music Here< In all seriousness though, That was a pretty cool tour. Its too bad that its deteriorated to the point of no return like it has. Is it possible that the item you thought was a "Leg machine" was actually an old Xray or such? After all, it was said there was a hospital in there. Keep up the good Videos, and Stay safe.

[@Spielmanjon]

With that much water on the roofs and running down the walls, and on the floors, you need to be careful for soft spots... Awesome video though,. Being a Veteran, and closing many bases around Germany, it is mind blowing to see what is simply abandoned.

[@oryza_citrus]

this town gives off stephen king horror murder small town vibes

[@WarchiefTua]

amazing footage as always!

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@universeconsciouscitizensc592]

I grew up in Anchorage from 8 to 21 yo, and spent the summer of 1970 (I was 15) with my best friend in Whittier squeezing eggs out of rotted herring, as well as Halibut fishing (we pulled up a dead whale shark in our skate!). A weird time! When winter started, someone let me stay in their rustic cabin 10 miles out of town on the Portage highway, so I hitchhiked out to it, and I got snowed in for a week. At least I got the oil heater working and thawed the place out. Then, being entirely alone and without electricity or anything entertaining, I went nuts and would dance around squeezing an old pirate accordion I found laying around. I finally dug my way out through 5 foot tall snow drifts to the road, and hitchhiked into town for coffee at a cafe. Best coffee ever! In the Google street views, nothing really looks like it did back in 1970, but I suppose there have been a lot of changes per the highway and cruise lines. My friend and I had heard of mysterious (and dangerous) abandoned military tunnels, but we never got a chance to explore. I can find no mention of those. Are they really a thing?

[@ernieclapton2226]

The tunnels are real. They went from the 800' long dock building up to the Buckner building. The Dock building has since been torn down so I don't know about current accessibility.

[@universeconsciouscitizensc592]

Thanks for the confirmation!!

[@howto5237]

great video. this is extremely well made.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@palarious]

Flat roofs in a rainforest that ALSO sees monumental amounts of snow? Super brilliant engineering choices there.

[@airbrushken5339]

In 1979 after 9 years Army I moved to Australia to teach. I went back to the states in 2018 with my Australian partner ... to my surprise in Michigan, where I was born and raised, ALL the Air Force bases were closed, including the housing, on base and off. My last duty station was Selfridge Air Base with 5th Army and Fort Sheridan Forward Area support Group/Maintenance. There was also 75th EOD (Bomb squad) and 28th Artillery Group.(Nukes)... The base was built in 1917 on Lake Saint Clair (Michigan Great Lakes). It was the US only all inclusive military installation with Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and with the Army taking over running the base operations (Housing, sports, clubs and "Roads and Grounds") from the Air Force in 1972. I see and read about all the homeless in America and then I remember how big those Michigan bases were, and all those facilities and housing. My wife and son lived with me on base housing at Selfridge, they even had units for Families in waiting while their partners were fighting overseas. The Army Spent a ton of money upgrading those housing estates 50 years ago ... what I saw was just torn down lake front units plus the Officers Housing left to rot ... I also went to Oscoda, Michigan to Wurtsmith Air Force Base and saw all the old base housing boarded up there too. Again what a waste.

[@jenb7756]

Loving the background music

[@erin9740]

Bet it was a really cool place when it was lived in

[@theathjr]

Man when you started down that tunnel at the end I said hell to the no !!

[@horacecrowe3520]

cool place and images

[@johnevans93]

In the early 80`s my faily went to see the buckner building, even then we found alot of equipment that was left their . i found on one floor a dentist office that still had the chair for patents and one of those old drill set ups but it was a strange set up, icould be used with electricity or used with a tredial . and it was still in good working order too. and then at one end of the building was apower generrateing room faily large and their was still one generater still prduceing power i belive becouse it was still makeing a loweded power humming sound . and their in the gym / work out room was several peices of gym equipment with bar bell `s etc. a great place to exsplore at that time.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Very cool, thanks for the insight. I wish I could have seen it in a state like that.

[@ekalb7789]

Top notch production. Keep it up.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@blueman5924]

Jeepers Creepers Shaggy ! Glad you had a new light ! Was waiting for the huge four legged fluorescent spiders to come up from the basement. 😳 Some filmmakers would have a blast in there with cgi being what it is now. 👍👍super cool digs !

[@drewpackman2929]

I was in Whittier two weeks ago getting on the ferry to Bellingham. It is kind of a closed in place there.

[@silveradoguy87]

Another succulent video from the man! Dustin Porter! So juicy and ripe for the viewing pleasure! It's awesome how you get the history that goes along with and makes the story of the place your at! And yeah what the heck is up with those flat roofs? You would think there's got to be a drain somewhere up there! Hopefully someone sees some potential in the place and revives it somehow! As always thanks for the great video! And keep them coming!

[@christinebulk2299]

Great to hear history. I want to go through the tunnel, I watched that video too.

[@ginrobi01]

Another incredible video! You can tell they love the place and what they do! I have absolute respect for them, how they preserve their way of life and the incredible history that surrounds them. Dammit, Dustin, somebody has to give you your own show! The respect you show the people, the history all around them, and the places you show us ... hey Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, wake up! You're missing something special if you don't don't put your faith in Dustin! Everybody: like, subscribe, and share the hell out of this channel, because Dustin absolutely 💯 deserves all the success!

[@Destination_Adventure]

This is a very nice comment, thank you. I’m not totally sure if I want a show, because then I can’t do this channel as much. Plus then someone else gets some creative control and they’ll probably wanna dramatize it. Lol. It would definitely help with some of the cost though. Thank you so much for enjoying. :)

[@lisatolman4408]

😅o

[@neebob2]

Great story and history ! Whoever sells spray paint in that town must be a millionaire 😂😂

[@doubleoddbs4357]

Very interesting 👍

[@laurijohnson7754]

Such a beautiful area. It’s so strange that irs a port for the major cruise lines!

[@maxssister1985]

Yeah in wisconsin, flat roofs are detrimental to the buildings structural integrity with our weather. Couldn’t imagine why they’d do that in a wintery rain forest 🫣

[@bripslag]

Great video! Interesting subject and very nicely shot and edited.

[@Destination_Adventure]

Thank you

[@stephenrrose]

Great Adventure Dustin, Thank you for bringing us along. I love the interviews, and agree with the others, I like you let them talk, tell the history from their perspective. I was wondering regarding the table you thought was for exercise, it almost looked like an x-ray table, and at the end for Chest x-rays???? just a guess! Stay safe Brother!

[@KyleCarnageCobhamMMA]

Great video

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Can that building be saved?? Looks too far gone. Shame. Great explore! 🥰🥰🥰

[@heatherluciano6053]

Amazing

[@jeremiahrockwell3520]

I think that machine you were looking at but you said was a leg press is an x-ray table. They said they had a hospital there

[@shademedic9340]

Every time I go down there, that town has never failed to follow through on the quote I know of it, "it is always shittier in Whittier". (in reference to the weather)

[@bobmanzi7712]

Great stuff Dustin thanks

[@TinCanCampers]

@destinationadventure that tunnel under the Buckner building is wild huh?! 10:52

[@thatisyourname]

Very well done documentary !

[@EvanSpellman]

Great story,i heard about the rail going there and the tunnel. So the cruise ship tourists do what? Kinda like Rinse Rupert we wonder why we keep living here but outsiders are fascinated by it. Almost sounds like Ocean Falls when it was at the peak,middle of nowhere but thriving. When we left OC in 67 it was full tilt. Sure do enjoy your videos man. Go down to the Surf inlet gold mine if you can get in there. Hydro dam from 1923 or so plus a whole town of gold miners. We found the old pay book from the 40s...paid in pennies back then. Its in kitamat museum... Lots of adventures out there...wheres bilbo baggins going to next eh 😀😊😀

[@shanewilson9814]

i have to wonder if you're carrying a sidearm on some of these adventures... beyond that... like watching a piece of my soul... wander sir.

[@mattparker9726]

14:27 I'd rather the framerate shutter, and still be able to see. Some of the places you go might not exist anymore.