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Current
Population: Location:
Whittier is on the northeast shore of the Kenai
Peninsula, at the head of Passage Canal. It is on
the west side of Prince William Sound, 75 miles
southeast of Anchorage. It lies at approximately
60d 46m N Latitude, 148d 41m W Longitude. (Sec. 24,
T008N, R004E, Seward Meridian.) Whittier is located
in the Anchorage Recording District. The area
encompasses 12.5 sq. miles of land and 7.2 sq.
miles of water. Winter temperatures range from 17
to 28; summer temperatures average 49 to 63.
Average annual precipitation includes 66 inches of
rain and 80 inches of snowfall. History:
Passage Canal was once the quickest route from
Prince William Sound to Cook Inlet. Chugach Indians
would portage to Turnagain Arm in search of fish.
Nearby Whittier Glacier was named for the American
poet John Greenleaf Whittier, and was first
published in 1915 by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic
Survey. A port and railroad terminus were
constructed by the U.S. Army for transport of fuel
and other supplies into Alaska during World War II.
The railroad spur and two tunnels were completed in
1943, and the Whittier Port became the entrance for
troops and dependents of the Alaska Command. The
huge buildings that dominate Whittier began
construction in 1948. The 14-story Hodge Building
(now Begich Towers) was built for Army bachelors
quarters and family housing, with 198 apartments.
The Buckner Building, completed in 1953, has 1,000
apartments and was once the largest building in
Alaska. It was called the "city under one roof,"
with a hospital, bowling alley, theater, gym,
swimming pool and shops for Army personnel.
Whittier Manor was built in the early 1950s by
private developers as rental units for civilian
employees. The Port remained an active Army
facility until 1960; at that time, the population
was 1,200. Whittier Manor was converted to
condominiums in 1964, and now houses the majority
of residents. The City was incorporated in 1969.
Culture:
Residents enjoy sport-fishing, commercial fishing
and subsistence activities. Economy:
The major employers are the City and Crowley
Maritime, a transportation company which ships
arriving cargo to Anchorage via rail. Marine
charters are available for Prince William Sound
sightseeing. Tour boats transfer visitors to and
from Anchorage from Whittier by bus. Eleven
residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Facilities:
Water is derived from wells and a reservoir. Water
storage capacity is 1.2 million gallons. The entire
community is served by a piped water and sewer
system, and over 95% of homes are fully plumbed.
The older portions of the City sewer system need
replacement. Refuse is hauled out by a private
contractor to Anchorage - there is no landfill. An
oil and hazardous waste recycling center was
completed in 1998. Transportation:
Whittier has an ice-free port and a 70' city dock.
A small boat harbor has slips for 360 fishing,
recreation and charter vessels. It is served by
road, rail, the state ferry, boat and aircraft. A
$70 million road connection was completed in the
Summer of 2000. The railway carries passengers,
vehicles and cargo 12 miles from the Portage
Station, east of Girdwood. The State-owned 1,480'
gravel airstrip accommodates charter aircraft, and
a City-owned seaplane dock is available for
passenger transfer. Climate:
Winter temperatures range from 17 to 28; summer
temperatures average 49 to 63. Average annual
precipitation includes 66 inches of rain and 80
inches of snowfall. |
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 © 2001-2004 Chugach School District. Website by Sundog Media & Alaska Internet Services |
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Whittier