Begich Towers


Part of Whittier’s bizarreness stems from the fact that most of its inhabitants live in the same building, the 14-story Begich Towers. The Begich started life as the Hodge building in 1956 when it was constructed to house newly arrived military personnel living temporarily in a trailer park.

Abandoned by the military in 1960, it was subsequently purchased by the City of Whittier in 1972 and has since housed up to 150 people, along with a grocery store, post office and community center. An underground tunnel links it to the local elementary school.

You can wander into the main lobby where there’s a photo display tracking Whittier’s history.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Prince William Sound Museum

0.21 MILES

Whittier's history goes back to – well – 1941, so you might be surprised to hear that it has a museum. Bivouacked next to a grocery store beneath the…

2. Buckner Building

0.41 MILES

You can’t miss this ugly Cold War creation that melds into the surrounding landscape like a moose on a catwalk. Hailing from an architectural school best…

3. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

10.44 MILES

A nonprofit wildlife center where injured and rescued animals are on display. Particularly of interest are the wood bison, the only herd in the US. They…

4. Girdwood Center for Visual Arts

19.35 MILES

In town this center serves as an artisan cooperative during the summer and is filled with the work of those locals who get inspired by the majestic…

5. Alyeska Resort Tram

19.48 MILES

The Alyeska Ski Resort Tram offers the easiest route to the alpine area during the summer. The resort offers a Dine & Ride combo (adult/child $39/25) that…

6. Crow Creek Mine

20.69 MILES

Girdwood was named for James Girdwood, who staked the first claim on Crow Creek in 1896. Two years later the Crow Creek Mine was built, and today you can…