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 with a population of around 280.
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 was 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 Hodge Building (now Begich Towers) was built for Army bachelor’s quarters and family housing. The Buckner Building, completed in 1953, was once the largest building in Alaska, and was called the "city under one roof." The Port remained an active Army facility until 1960; at that time, the population was 1,200. The City was incorporated in 1969. The Begich Building is now a condominium, and houses nearly all of Whittier's residents.
Residents enjoy sport-fishing, commercial fishing and subsistence activities and 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. Completion of the road to Whittier occurred this summer (2000) with visitors able to access the community directly. Visitors can enjoy marine tour services that offer full or ½ day tours into the pristine areas of Prince William Sound that feature sightings of otters, whales, puffins, black bear, eagles, glaciers, hatcheries and much more.
For more information about Whittier contact: The
City of Whittier Visitors Center |
