Portage, Anchorage, Alaska facts for kids
Portage is a ghost town in Alaska. It's located near Turnagain Arm, about 47 miles (76 km) southeast of Downtown Anchorage. A ghost town is a place where people used to live, but now it's mostly empty. Portage became a ghost town after a huge earthquake in 1964.
Contents
What Happened to Portage?
The town of Portage was destroyed during the 1964 Alaska earthquake. This massive earthquake caused the ground in the area to sink about 6 feet (1.8 meters). This meant that most of the town ended up below the high tide level. Saltwater flooded the land, killing many trees. This created a "ghost forest" of dead trees.
The Great Alaska Earthquake
The 1964 Alaska earthquake was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. It caused a lot of damage across Alaska. For Portage, the sinking ground was the biggest problem. The saltwater made the land unusable for homes and buildings. Because of this, people could no longer live there.
Portage Today
Today, not much is left of the original town of Portage. You can still see the ruins of a few old buildings. The "ghost forest" of dead trees also remains. Where the town once stood, there is now an important meeting point for roads and railways. This area connects the Seward Highway and the Alaska Railroad. It also leads to the Portage Glacier park. You can also reach Whittier through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel from here.
Fun Things to Do Near Portage
Even though Portage is a ghost town, the area around it is popular for outdoor activities. Many people visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This center helps protect Alaskan animals. You can also go floating on the Portage, Twentymile, and Placer rivers. Fishing for a type of fish called hooligan in the Twentymile river is also popular. In winter, people enjoy ice skating on the frozen marshy areas, creeks, and Portage Lake.
