This Town Lives Under One Roof: Whittier Alaska

Most of the residents of Whittier Alaska live in the SAME BUILDING. Seriously. Hey, some people like to snuggle close.
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Welcome to Whittier Alaska, gateway to the beautiful prince William sound, a popular Alaskan cruise stop and a city where 85% of the population lives under one roof. Yes, the vast majority of the 300 people that live here reside in the same 14-story building.
Whittier is locked between water and steep mountains. It sits in a naturally protected bay that the US Army used as a main port for soldiers and supplies into Alaska during World War 2. The Army built it up with 2 large buildings to house Army families.
The Military left in the 1960s and Whittier became an independent city with the infrastructure of a military base.
One of the 2 buildings fell into disrepair, and the majority of the city have been living in the remaining building ever since.
Called the Begich Towers, the 14-story building has almost 200 apartments and also houses most of the city’s services, including post office, general store, bed and breakfast, church, and police station. You’re an elevator ride away from getting stamps or reporting a crime. The school is connected via an underground tunnel.
Alaska’s biggest city Anchorage is only 60 miles away, but you’ve got to take a one-lane tunnel through a mountain to get there. The 2nd longest tunnel in north America, it changes direction every half hour so make sure you time it right.

[@jordanweber7398]

So essentially you could live your entire life within that building LMAO? I will say that’s extremely handy though for the winter time

[@toddburgess5056]

I like it!

[@brookeggleston9314]

That's the whole idea!!

[@ianjohnson3770]

That sounds awful

[@jiminalaska]

Winter time here is not good, they board up the windows and buy a lot of booze, not enough adult beverage for me to spent the winter here. It shuts down and nothing goes on till spring.

[@markanthony1004]

@@jiminalaska Sounds like heaven to me

[@eastenjenn2577]

I’ve been there, it’s really cool. The building in disrepair is considered haunted by some of the locals. And they have some really cool glaciers and whale tours. The tunnel was great to go in especially cause I was on a field trip and someone had glowsticks

[@VeggieRice]

that building is definitely haunted.

[@jeremybaker195]

One of the ghost shows or ghost hunting channels should do a overnight video on it.

[@tomben6180]

@@VeggieRice why do you say so?

[@Koncs86]

Happened upon Whittier with my dad and older bro during my first and, so far, only trip to Alaska. The town is cool, and the scenery in any direction is stunning, but yeah... that tunnel is epic!

[@salmonslayer707]

Did you make it by Good Time Charlie's in Soldotna ?

[@brandonsellers3222]

Imagine getting robbed Police department: do you know the suspect who robbed you Me: yes it was the man in apt 2A Police: what did he steal Me: a book of stamps and the food in my fridge

[@MapNerdYT]

The next time he mails a package they’d nab him ;)

[@wvlfboyy]

‘Do you have an addre-… nvm’

[@zarrowthehorse]

Unfunny

[@FonicsSuck]

@@zarrowthehorse sorry

[@DavidGalvanwiz]

@@zarrowthehorse cry about it

[@iamhewhospeaks]

Imagine trying to cheat on someone in this town.

[@toddburgess5056]

Probably happens all the time. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@thedalillama]

You wouldn't get busted for parking your car at their house.

[@Beans-wr3hu]

A court case would be like one big game of cluedo

[@jiminalaska]

There are 30 of us that live in another building called the Manor, 2nd longest driving tunnel in North America, the police moved into the new city office building about 3 yrs ago.

[@gabrielmacgregor4276]

Nice, I'm Gabe a lobsterman from Maine, Ever been to Maine? It's similar to Alaska we all live off the ocean and the land or a lot of us do. I've always wanted to go to Alaska really bad, i love hunting and fishing so its on my bucket list. What do you do in Whittier? I'm all about meeting new people especially people with cool stories, i hope you reach back, Have an awesome day buddy! 🦞

[@MissEasyPeasySleasy]

Do you guys supplement your vitamin D?

[@crisphol33]

Is the tunnel closed at night and guarded by security?

[@toddburgess5056]

Are there any vacancies at either building?

[@jiminalaska]

@@toddburgess5056 Pretty sure there are . I will be selling my place this fall as I am moving to a more remote location. Check Alaska MLS for listing. There is a company that does most of Whittier listing out of Girdwood just can't remember there the name, Banks Prevat is the guy who handles most of the sales here.

[@grimace4257]

I am absolutely enchanted about the idea of never having to leave the house

[@metaljacket866]

Surrounded by all that nature and never leaving a building , that's just not right , though it sounds quite convenient in the cold months ..

[@johnvanhal2450]

Couch potato huh?

[@anitahanchey7714]

I think I could do it!!! I'm alone anyway so it might be a good thing!!

[@johnvanhal2450]

@@anitahanchey7714 I understand your way of thinking. But it's because you're still mobile. I always could live in my truck, no problem. But now that walking is difficult, I hate not being able to go out.

[@metaljacket866]

@@anitahanchey7714 alone doesn't mean that you can't go out and enjoy the nature , especially over there ( during the warmer months)

[@mildredalexander2001]

Been there, very interesting. When someone says, "I know where you live", they are not kidding!

[@baybreeze44]

I live in Anchorage, and I got the opportunity in 2012 to wander around the Bunckner building (the old housing thats been abandoned) There is a bowling alley. A jail cell with Japanese carvings in them. The "hospital" and kitchen still have utensils left behind. There are underground tunnels (most are fully blocked off) that are cryptic as fuck. Top tier for "urban" exploring. Would not be shocked in the least bit if I get lung cancer from all the asbestos. Still worth it. Also, great spot for shrimping and halibut. Rich history. Tunnel is scary as fuck though.

[@jiminalaska]

The tunnel went to the submarine dock.

[@maewebster9377]

too bad about your limited knowledge of adjectives

[@Diesalot-sc9qz]

This is the Tower from Harran. If the zombie apocalypse comes, these guys have everything already within one building (as well as the Alaskan isolation and plenty of boats)

[@magnusgranskau7487]

It also have that person who thinks they can save the one with a zombie wound"they haven't turned yet"

[@christianbarajas9340]

“Thank god, we have stamps.”

[@crisphol33]

Don't forget fishing there is freaking awesome been there done that and will never forget the experience

[@jamesgoldring1052]

Food? Edit: so just fish then? What if the fish are zombified

[@seangilhooley5385]

Hugely underrated channel - keep up the good work 👍

[@MapNerdYT]

Appreciate you ty

[@indhocusub384]

I really agree 🙌🏾

[@montaredpanda8095]

I think there’s a girl on TikTok that documents her day to day life here. Also, when I heard Whittier initially I thought of the one in Southern California.

[@Manhandle730]

Worst TikTok ever.

[@LordVader1094]

What's her account?

[@montaredpanda8095]

@@LordVader1094 I have no idea. I don’t even have a TikTok I just saw her videos covered on another platform.

[@AK-wc7tf]

I live in Alaska, been there befor. My daughter lived and worked there for 3yrs. She loved it.

[@SolidStateH2O]

Im just down the road and rode sleds up over the glaciers outa there last week…tunnel is $13 for cars and $22 for a car and trailer to get in…but its free to leave 😆👍. Well worth the trip!!

[@d4.2g]

200 units for 300 people. That means only half of the apartments have more than one person. Lonely

[@mael3527]

Mmmh idk, maybe some appartement aren't used, and some of them are used as school post office shop etc i believe

[@jiminalaska]

There is also the manor (old NCO quarters) where I live. 30 of us who don't like the towers.

[@saraeissa4954]

@@jiminalaska cool! Ur actually a resident there? I’ve been thinking of buying 3000 acres of land in Saskatchewan and want to build my own city could I ask you a couple questions about the problems u might go through living in a town with a small ish population?

[@jiminalaska]

@@saraeissa4954 Small town everybody knows what is going on in your life, Build your own city, that is ambition, I would buy 3000 acres and keep it to my self. LOL

[@jiminalaska]

@H J Drive tourist around

[@Alaskaflyfishing]

Whittier Alaska is magical in the summer. If it’s winter time forget it. It’s a fishing town and most people don’t live their they just harbor their boats in the summer. There’s also kayaking, jet-skiing, whale watching, hiking, fishing, and camping on sone of our most beautiful beaches. Plus great food and a nice quiet spot to visit in the summer. The tunnel is shared with the train and is part of the adventure.

[@timothyhennon1878]

Frankly, you make it sound very intriguing as a possible vacation spot.

[@HerrStumpy]

It’s super interesting to visit though 👌🏼 the prince sound was beautiful during the summer

[@adidnac]

Been through the tunnel about 20 times and did some work on the towers

[@jiminalaska]

By the end of the summer I will have been through the tunnel 1000 time in 3 summers. Drive tourist.

[@Vinyl_guy]

i’ve been through the tunnel on an alaska railroad tour

[@Dr.LethalContact]

I live in alaska and I have to tell you that town is really depressing will never go back it's super small with nothing to do but walk around

[@MapNerdYT]

really? Oh that’s unfortunate

[@ArizonaJoshua]

I mean they do have the bare minimum, that's all a town really needs not no big mall but just nature and outdoor stuff.

[@Dr.LethalContact]

@@ArizonaJoshua theys not really much nature there it's super gloomy and it's on the cost surrounded by a huge hillside so not many trees at all anchorage has more nature then it and way more entertainment. I live in nikiski which doesn't have much but it's so beautiful out here it's like the complete opposite I just love living out here.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

That pretty much describes most of Alaska.

[@Dr.LethalContact]

@@WALTERBROADDUS not at all draw a Line straight across alaska from nome and almost everything down from that town is absolutely beautiful in the summer we get 90-100 degrees weather and everything become super green and wonderful to live in so many flowers so you clearly never seen alaska at all

[@kennysherrill6542]

Bucket list 👌 👍♥️🇺🇸

[@killerx9009]

So wait if it’s 60 miles to anchorage and the tunnel switches directions every 30 minutes you gotta be hauling major ass to clear that tunnel lol

[@brookeggleston9314]

The tunnel isn't 60 miles long!!

[@georgespalding7640]

Yeah I was going to say that's some weird math there.

[@bencoss7003]

That's one hell of a one-way tunnel now that is neat piece of information, I enjoyed this little video here very much what a unique life they have.

[@aktrains]

I'm an engineer on the Alaska Railroad and run trains into and out of Whittier frequently. It's a small town with an interesting history and even more interesting characters that live there 😂 Very unique tunnel that is shared by both trains and cars.

[@tymac3306]

That sounds cool to have is like a getaway

[@ginadiaz4112]

I saw a documentary about this town! Super interesting. Some people speculate some of the people are in a cult 🤷‍♀️

[@Alaskaflyfishing]

No they’re all salty fishermen/women. They’re actually really nice and a on a sunny day it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to see glaciers and walk under waterfalls. However I can understand how any isolated spot could have a rumor due to mystery and misunderstanding.

[@brycem.4062]

Really? What kind of cult? I’d love to know more about it

[@johnacetable7201]

Any religion is a cult. And if some unknown societarial factors or historical coincidences don't come into play about 80% believe in god of somekind, thus being in mostly unaggressive, yet, cult.

[@roxie6971]

fishing cult

[@Bung-Hoe]

My older brother lived in that building & worked in the fish processing plant & he hated it😉

[@meerathegreyhound1044]

Been to Whittier many times. It’s a very small town, but very cool and worth checking out.

[@OGQueenMedusa]

I love living in Alaska. The Whittier tunnel is kinda cool.

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank You for posting.

[@coolbeans100]

I loved going through that tunnel it’s so fun❤❤❤

[@VeggieRice]

you just had to slip in the crazy at the end; this tunnel is the 2nd longest in North America & it changes direction every half hour

[@Rabbit-the-One]

What does that mean?

[@mael3527]

@@Rabbit-the-One the tunnel isn't wide enough for two car to go trought it in opposing directions, so because people need to take the tunnel both way, they had to implement a rule where the tunnel is open to circulation on 1 end while the other one is closed so only the car going from the town A to the city B can go, and every half an hour they flip the closed end of the tunnel, so the directions change and only the cars going from the city B to the town A an go !

[@katrinalee2148]

@@mael3527 Very Informative. Thank you. To be honest, I thought he meant like Bobby pin turns. I'm thinking, "why do they have to be careful?" "Is he telling them not to use their high beams, so they don't blind oncoming traffic in a curve or direction change," I did not hear the part about one lane only. I'm 58 by the way. Never crossed my mind what he really meant. EDITED FOR SPELLING.

[@jiminalaska]

Longest driving tunnel in North America

[@VeggieRice]

@@jiminalaska oic, it's one lane I assume so that's why they switch?

[@R4N6ER]

Been there. Went into the abandoned building. Got pics and videos of it plus a full video going through the tunnel. Pretty cool.

[@someperson8151]

What a special community. A plus if they're all friendly. It's like a giant family living under one roof.

[@MrsShanonBrown]

I wonder if they’re currently adopting. If so, where do I apply?

[@anthonytindle5758]

One of those areas that everyone knows each other

[@bonnieenright]

Most intelligent way to survive in freezing country, and probably a great way to increases everyone’s helping everyone!

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

The same thing happened to my hometown! Hometown!

[@CharliMorganMusic]

It's almost an arcology. Wow!

[@uhohhotdog]

That’s awesome. No need for cars. Can walk everywhere.

[@georgespalding7640]

That's really great when everybody lives in the same building except when COVID comes around.

[@maewebster9377]

yea I was wondering how covid might factor into their lives

[@ankurshah1397]

This seems so fun

[@potatoman8763]

Finally, some good city planning

[@stevenzeoli6147]

Love your channel!

[@piercemccauley7079]

Imagine dating someone there and having a rough break up. You’d never hear the end

[@ChristopherGrey1327]

Subscribed

[@Alaska_Aviation]

I've gone there twice. Traffic switches every 15 minutes, not every half hour, and the timing for the tunnel doesn't matter too much because most people go out of their cars to take pictures during the wait for traffic to switch.

[@wendywhite2642]

That is such cool information!🤯

[@jamessteelman3936]

Pretty fucking cool

[@SpitefulAZ]

That tunnel is also longest red light in north america. 😉

[@toddburgess5056]

And longest green light.

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@toddburgess5056 it's true! 😅

[@TheSweetKid303]

That’s so cool

[@steveb1972]

Like the blocks in Megacity One!

[@vickysikora3394]

Went through this tunnel back in 2014. Best vacation ever, Seward, Alaska!

[@dyawr]

This is fascinating! 😲👍

[@Lmnop913]

Cool!

[@793lefty]

Ralph's gonna wreck it! 😂

[@lynnadkins1079]

Ralph???

[@catherinep2034]

@@lynnadkins1079 the animated movie, Wreck it Ralph.

[@StudioBleenk]

Recently found ur channel and im loving all your content thanks for making it!

[@thedalillama]

Easy access to the Blackstone Glacier. Did a one way kayak trip to it. Good times.

[@MiMi-hn1sj]

This is wiiiiiiild AF! Probably got Siblings thinking they just friends

[@dennisboismenue8334]

Awesome town... Everyone should visit. The other building is the Buckner Building.

[@nene1964]

It’s my favorite town in Alaska!

[@anitahanchey7714]

I think I could adjust to this place!!!

[@nbaoldgirl]

I NEED a video from you on the tunnel mentioned in this video! Please!

[@sirtko]

Ikr

[@sirtko]

I started looking in the comments just so I could get more information on that tunnel changing directions every half hour for me the first thing I thought was because of the rotation of the Earth but it's super intriguing to be left on a cliffhanger like that isn't it we definitely want more though for sure I concur lol

[@freyathegoddess907]

@@sirtkoThe traffic changes directions every half an hour, because the tunnel is only one lane. If you’re trying to go though it, you have to time it correctly, or wait 30 minutes for the traffic to flow the way you’re trying to go.

[@ladymopar2024]

Yep the tunnel is the thing I remember when they built the tunnel before that you have to take the train and you had to wait for the train to leave to get out you couldn't drive

[@Shamger413]

That's so fucking cool

[@joannamallory2823]

The tunnel lets out onto a highway that is right next to the water and it winds it’s way up to Anchorage. It is a beautiful ride. We catch the ferry out of Whittier to our home town. Also a beautiful trip if the weather cooperates.

[@dylanz5598]

Wow, that just sounds like a hectic life to live. TALK ABOUT NO PRIVACY, SHOOOOOOT!!!!

[@samuelwardjr1879]

I want to live here ! How do I get an appointment!

[@siyacer]

Interesting

[@ericmaui]

Use to drive a truck from the dock to the fish processing plant years ago, one summer.

[@quadzers5703]

There’s a ferry that leaves this town and goes to another small place in the prince william sound known as Cordova. This place has no way in other than the ferry or by plane. There was a road planned that would connect it to Valdez but it was never built.

[@MarcinHopa8]

Damn this is trippy 😂

[@knee_high_converse]

And their 4th of July Parade has more people in it than watching it. I was there for it this year.

[@foxman907]

As an Alaskan I didn't know about this.

[@taffykins2745]

Well that's handy!

[@zealandia5668]

Welcome to my home building, buddy.

[@rockstarofredondo]

I almost bought an apt in that building. It was super cheap!

[@imeldahiggins-wiffle8302]

If you make it to anchorage, the Whittier tunnel is a great trip!!!

[@KazeHorse]

It’s like a super mini kowloon.

[@chrissiebergen783]

Ok this is my second place I can runaway to

[@BoomStick4287]

I had a similar plan get a group of friends together and rent a huge home... We could live in a "mansion" relatively cheap when divided between us all .. sadly I don't have friends so didn't work out well 😂

[@nishalmehta1624]

That would be horrible imagine seeing these people everyday, not regarding the fact that you basically live with them in the same building. Virtually no outside social interaction from beyond the town. Cold a lot of the time. Being stuck inside because of that. I would go insane.

[@sooswillbebeat]

Ive been there to go on a glacier cruise, a pain to get to because of the tunnel nearby

[@steevehoyoufat9155]

I JUST saw a video about this a few days ago.

[@BROKEN-OC]

Boom

[@Nathan-uo9yf]

There’s a podcast with a missing persons story based out of this town. Great story, ongoing investigation from the 60s? Lost in Alaska

[@richarde735]

Whittier is AWESOME! after you drive or ride the train through the mountain tunnel, take a ride on the Klondike Catamaran while you are there! On your way back to Anchorage, have lunch or dinner at the Double Muskie. It’s a really cool restaurant!

[@ryangustin4752]

been there before, the tunnel is kinda scary lol. it’s a road but also a train tunnel, and if a train comes through while you’re in there, you’re gonna get smashed.

[@alexispaige9703]

Take me thereeeee

[@newellwalther]

I lived there! You call the town weed dealer and she takes the elevator to your room

[@jiminalaska]

LMAO!

[@MapNerdYT]

I want to believe this so badly. Need proof!

[@newellwalther]

@@MapNerdYT What kind of proof can I offer? I lived there for 3 months, worked at the hotel, lived in Begich Towers - this was a year before they put barb wire around the Buckner Building, so we'd go in and explore the 300,000 sq ft abandonment - (you can still get in, its just more difficult with the fence)- a library, a jail, massive mess halls and kitchens, a theatre, and, most mysteriously, a half mile long tunnel that leads to a giant steel door, with shelves lining the hallway immediately outside. There was 450 in of snow that year, some kind of record. The streets were carved out, with 12 ft walls of snow on either side. I remember sitting on top of a snow drift, on the roof of Begich Towers with the maintenance guys, watching the train load.

[@jennetteraspatello8558]

Who brings the weed to there? Doesn’t seem lucrative to make that long of a hike-is it a fortune to buy?? Also, the police department is downstairs-is it legal there? Where is school at? Medical care? Aooo many questions!!!

[@AflacMan13]

"... or reporting a crime." I'd bet that service doesn't get used very much. :-P

[@TheDarkPacific]

You'd think the Alaskan government would have a made a concerted effort to rehab the old building at some point. Unless resources won't be enough for 500+ people, the building should be repaired, or outright dismantled so the land can be used for literally anything else.

[@jiminalaska]

The problem is its a 10 million dollar clean up. They are trying to get the US government to foot the bill. So far no go. 40 billion to Ukraine is OK.

[@gio-ko7kf]

Doubt there’s much interest in that land anyways

[@kimrodriguez1698]

That tunnel!?😨

[@johnhouston9764]

😮😮😮❤❤❤

[@fredthemanish]

I've been here. This makes it seem so much more depressing than it is lol

[@lynnadkins1079]

I thought it sounded fascinating.

[@fredthemanish]

@@lynnadkins1079 its actually very beautiful there too. nice people as well

[@johnvanlindingham9490]

Have worked in Skagway several years never winterd season work for Cruse ships, aprox 830 population increase to 2000 in summer over 3000 depends on Cruse ships visiting.

[@Jaxissupergay77]

The population of Whittier is threatened by alcoholism and severe depression . Someone should reach out to these people..

[@joleedaae884]

I went there in March. It was very interesting. There is a cafe we went to and the waitress was friendly but the other locals seemed like they didn’t want us there. Nothing was said, but just the general feeling. It was super neat to see how others live tho.

[@lynnadkins1079]

They are probably very protective of their home and privacy. Wouldn’t you be?? I know I wouldn’t want too many people coming to nasty it up and change things

[@Vates104]

I grew up nearby and still never of that.

[@SpitefulAZ]

Omg is it possible to explore the abandoned building?

[@baybreeze44]

Yes! Definitely had to get a tetanus shot. Wouldn't be shocked if I got lung cancer from asbestos. But worth it. It has a bowling alley!

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@baybreeze44 i wanna explore it 😍

[@jiminalaska]

No

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@jiminalaska lies!

[@J-Rod91]

I never thought I would say this but.............. I think I would LOVE living here! I mean I don’t really like being around too many people but if I had my own place.......... I’d be fine with this place. The older I get the more I’m disliking people in general. I currently live with my siblings and mom.......... I don’t want to be here. I’m getting tired of them. Never had any problems with it before but lately I have thought about just taking off and going to live out in the woods somewhere. I just don’t know any places with enough woods that I could basically build a little log cabin and never be bothered. It would have to be FAR IN because I have NO MONEY so I really wouldn’t want to be found. I don’t think there is anywhere like that in Texas. 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️😔