Whittier, Alaska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whittier, Alaska
City
Whittier in July 2006
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Town Under One Roof
Whittier, Alaska Location in Alaska
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Chugach
Incorporated	July 15, 1969
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	19.64 sq mi (50.86 km2)
• Land	12.25 sq mi (31.73 km2)
• Water	7.39 sq mi (19.13 km2)
Elevation	43 ft (13 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	272
• Density	22.20/sq mi (8.57/km2)
Time zone	UTC−09:00 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−08:00 (AKDT)
ZIP Code	99693
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-84510
GNIS feature ID	1415757

Whittier is a small city in Alaska, a state in the United States. It is located at the end of Passage Canal, about 58 miles (93 km) southeast of Anchorage. Whittier is part of the Chugach Census Area. It is also an important port for the Alaska Marine Highway, which is a ferry system. In 2020, 272 people lived in Whittier.

Whittier is known for its very wet weather, getting about 197 inches (500 cm) of rain and snow each year. What makes Whittier really special is that almost everyone who lives there lives in one large building called the Begich Towers Condominium. This is why it's often called "the town under one roof."

History of Whittier

Whittier harbor

The area where Whittier is located was once a travel route for the Chugach people. They were a native group from Prince William Sound. Later, explorers from Russia and America used this route. Miners also passed through during the Klondike Gold Rush to find gold.

The nearby Whittier Glacier was named in 1915 after an American poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. The town later took the same name.

Whittier During World War II

During World War II, the United States Army built a military base near Whittier Glacier. This base was called Camp Sullivan. It had a port and a railroad. The railroad line to Camp Sullivan was finished in 1943. This port became the main entry point for American soldiers going into Alaska.

Buildings of Whittier

Begich Towers

The two largest buildings in Whittier were built after World War II. The 14-story Hodge Building, now called Begich Towers, was finished in 1957. It has 150 apartments. Families of soldiers and government workers lived there. The local school was connected to the building by a tunnel. This allowed students to get to school safely in bad weather. The building was named after Colonel Walter William Hodge, an engineer.

The other big building, the Buckner Building, was finished in 1953. It was also called a "city under one roof." The Buckner Building was later left empty. Both the Buckner and Begich Towers were once the biggest buildings in Alaska. Today, the Begich Towers is a condominium. Most of Whittier's residents live there, along with a smaller building called Whittier Manor.

The port in Whittier was an active Army base until 1960. In 1962, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a station to handle oil products. They also built a 62-mile (100 km) pipeline to Anchorage from Whittier.

The 1964 Earthquake

On March 27, 1964, Whittier was hit by a huge earthquake. It is known as the Good Friday earthquake. This earthquake caused over $10 million in damage to Whittier. It was the largest earthquake ever recorded in the U.S. It measured 9.2 on the moment magnitude scale. The earthquake also caused tsunamis along the West Coast of the U.S. In Whittier, the tsunami wave was 13 meters (43 feet) high. It sadly killed 13 people.

Whittier Today

Whittier became an official city in 1969. It later became a popular stop for cruise ships. Local boats and smaller cruise ships use its port. In 2000, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel opened to the public. This tunnel was the first highway to connect Whittier to Anchorage and other parts of Alaska. Before this, people could only reach Whittier by train, boat, or plane.

After the tunnel opened, larger cruise ships started visiting Whittier. It is a starting or ending point for some cruises from Anchorage to Vancouver. Whittier is also a popular spot for tourists and people who love the outdoors. Many visitors come for photography, hiking, fishing, and hunting. This is because of the many animals and beautiful nature. Whittier is located inside the Chugach National Forest, which is one of the largest national forests in the U.S.

Whittier has one school in the Chugach School District. It serves about 48 students from preschool through high school.

Geography and Location

Whittier is located on the northeast side of the Kenai Peninsula. It sits at the head of Passage Canal, which is on the west side of Prince William Sound. It is about 58 miles (93 km) southeast of Anchorage.

The only way to reach Whittier by land is through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This tunnel is used by both cars and trains.

The city covers a total area of about 19.7 square miles (50.86 km2). About 12.5 square miles (32.37 km2) of this is land, and 7.2 square miles (18.65 km2) is water.

Climate and Weather

Climate chart for Whittier

Whittier has a very wet and cool climate. It gets a lot of rain and snow, averaging over 197 inches (500 cm) of precipitation each year. This makes it one of the wettest places in Alaska. Whittier is at the northern edge of the world's northernmost temperate rainforest, the Tongass.

The average temperature in Whittier is about 41.1°F (5.1°C). July is usually the warmest month, with an average of 57.2°F (14.0°C). January is the coldest, averaging 28.2°F (-2.1°C). The temperature can get very cold in winter, sometimes dropping below 0°F (-18°C). The hottest temperature ever recorded was 88°F (31°C) in July 1966. The coldest was -29°F (-34°C) in December 1942.

People of Whittier

Whittier first appeared on the U.S. census in 1950. It officially became a city in 1969.

In 2018, about 205 people lived in Whittier. Most of them live in the 14-story Begich Towers. The population is made up of different groups. About 68.3% are White, 10.6% are Asian, 6.9% are Hispanic, and 5.7% are Native American.

There are 124 households in the town. The average household has about 1.79 people. Many people in Whittier are married or have children. The median income for a household in 2019 was $45,000.

Getting Around Whittier

Alaska Railroad passenger train leaving Whittier towards the tunnel

Whittier Harbor

Whittier has a harbor and a deep-water port. This port is used by large cruise ships and the Alaska Marine Highway ferries.

Airfield and Seaplane Dock

Whittier Airport (ICAO: PAWR) has one gravel runway. It is 1,480 feet (451 meters) long. The airport is not kept clear in winter. In 2005, there were about 700 flights a year. Most were small private planes. The runway used to be longer, but it was damaged by the 1964 earthquake.

The city also has a dock for seaplanes.

The Whittier Tunnel

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is often called the Whittier tunnel or Portage tunnel by locals. It goes through Maynard Mountain. This tunnel connects Whittier to the Seward Highway and the rest of Alaska. It is the only land route into the town. At 13,300 feet (4,054 meters), it is the second-longest highway tunnel in North America. It is also the longest tunnel used by both cars and trains.

Alaska Rail Connection

Whittier is an important connection point for the Alaska Railroad. It links Alaska's rail system to Canada and the rest of the U.S. This connection happens through special rail barges that carry train cars.

See also

In Spanish: Whittier (Alaska) para niños