Why Alaska's "City under one roof" will Collapse | The Rise and Fall of Wittner
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2023
- Join us on a journey through the fascinating history of Wittner, Alaska. This once-bustling town was founded as a military outpost during World War II and later became a key transportation hub by constructing its rail and highway tunnel. However, as tensions eased and industries shifted, Wittner's fortunes waned, leading to its eventual downfall. Today, only remnants of this once-thriving community remain, but its story lives on as a testament to the boom and bust of Alaska's frontier towns. Explore the military origins of Wittner, the construction of its infrastructure, the buildings that once lined its streets, and what remains of the town today. Don't miss this captivating look at a piece of Alaska's past.
00:31 - The Military Origins of Wittner Alaska
03:02 - The Construction of Wittners Rail / Highway Tunnel
05:03 - Witter During the Cold War
05:27 - The Buildings of Wittner Alaska
07:01 - The Downfall of Wittner Alaska
08:03 - What Remains of Wittner Alaska Today?
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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Imana Schoch,
Editor -, Oliwia Tracz
Host - Ryan Socash
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» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.
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Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed my mispronunciation of Whittier. Don't worry; it was all part of my plan to get more comments and engagement for the TH-cam algorithm! So please keep those comments coming! What topic do you want to see next?
Nice try, but no cigar. In your intro you started the sentence with "Did you know that Wittner..."
Fort Egbert, Yukon Alaska. Please and thank you. ❤
@@CologneCarter Have you never heard of sarcasm?
The episode where you get an editor to proofread your scripts and check content before publishing.
I saw this on Mysteries of the Abandoned. I know you will do a better job. In face I wish you'd redo all their episodes.
Is Ryan drunk?! Heard him call it Whittier, Whittner, and Whittnier all within seconds of each other 😆
I agree! Can't he get the name straight? p.s. I've been to Whittier in 1999!
Not the only case of mispronunciation or misuse of language splattered all across these videos
I was there this summer and found it fascinating. I can't wait to go back
We live in Fairbanks and come to Whittier for the beautiful vistas and the excellent shrimping. Biggest spot prawns I've ever seen! Driving through the train tunnel is a truly unique experience and if you live in Alaska or plan to visit, I highly recommend a trip to Whittier.
My son is stationed in Fairbanks.
My family and I went there last summer. The tunnel isn't too bad, and its set up like a ferry boat, where you wait in a queue, then "board" and use the tunnel at each end. Funny to see such high density housing in rural Alaska, but interesting how people seem to have adapted to it.
Back in the day when it was still possible to get large, impossible or complicated projects completed in a timely matter without all the bickering, cost overruns, and endless amounts of catering to small groups like today.
Today a project like that would take 10-15 years to build, have a 200% cost overrun and be a compromise of design that would only last 20 years.
@@klaaturivera3746 None of our vendors are holding their prices, we can't hold ours. Do you want it built, or not? Lotta other people out there who need their stuff built, too.
And cost astronomical amounts because of having to pay union wages
@@fredkithcart5237 thank you lol I was hoping to see this comment
As an Alaskan, I fell for the comment trap. ❤
Agree click bait.
As an Alaskan you should be giving them hell for this fast food quality garbage report.. They didnt even get the name right half the time..
Whitter has very little flat land but is not failing. Seward has a deeper ice free port that also has rail and road sources. Seward also has one of the best Flood Services in our nation according from FEMA. While Whitter is closer to Anchorage it's resources are more limited than Seward.
I saw another video about this place that focused on a couple that moved there and opened a fish and chip restaurant. Reportedly it's pretty good.
In Mr. Whitekeys Great Alaska show, he presents a song "Nothing can be shittier than to find yourself in Whittier in the morning." I went to a restaurant in Whittier some years ago on a Saturday morning, and asked the waitress what she recommended from the menu. Her response was "Nothing, the cook gets drunk on Friday night and everything on Saturday is terrible." I can't remember what I ordered, but she was right. One of my friends lived with her boyfriend in the Begich towers, but broke up with him and moved back to Anchorage last year. I don't know whether it was Whittier or her boyfriend, probably both. Nevertheless, as an Alaskan, I like Whittier and believe it is very beautiful. I last visited in 2022 to pick up someone from a cruise ship.
Whitekeys, a true Alaskan treasure! "Spawn 'till you die!"
One journalist told the story long time ago. Not all residents live in that building, one of them lives in a hut or mobile home next to that building.
Thanks for covering this one! I've heard about this before,but never in this much detail.
This was our main embark/disembarkation on our wedding/honeymoon cruise from here on Cruise West and the 'Spirit of Columbia' in 2010. It's a pretty interesting place.
Its amazing that people have lived there as long as they have. Interesting.
I saw documentary about it on other channel and I was hugely surprised to see polish person living there. We're everywhere 😂
Peter Santenello did a pretty good video on this. I recommend people to watch his video.
He actually interviews people that live there. He is shown around inside.
The name of the video is The Alaskan town that lives in one building.
Quite possibly the nicest people on Earth. That video restored my faith in humanity.
I was going to mention this. Great video. The lady who gave Peter the tour was so friendly and genuine.
Some of my cousins lived there for years and years.
I grew up outside of wasilla.
Had some other family in anchorage.
Last time I was there it was train only.
Before the added the road bed.
for once I can say I have been there, beautiful place.
The last time I was there, it was *so* foggy. Couldn't see a damn thing.
Try the train ride. It's nice.
I was there two weeks ago. The building looked pretty solid to me.
I'd love to see a video on Meigs Field.
I believe there has been one, search "Chicagos Forgotten Airfield"
@@DoughboyPathyUSA Nope, there is mention of it in Chicago's Forgotten Island, but that's it.
i remember having to load the cars at girdwood in order to take the flatbeds to whittier. funny how much and little has changed here...
Whittier has only one claim to fame these days; they serve as a small boat harbor for Anchorage. For years Anchorage boaters had to trailer their boats to Seward or Homer to get in any decent fishing or if very lucky they could lease a slip from either city which is both expensive and extremely difficult to get. Either way, it was a 2 - 3 day commitment; now it can be a day-trip. As I recall, the construction of the first harbor and the opening of the rail tunnel to vehicle traffic were simultaneous.
" As I recall, the construction of the first harbor and the opening of the rail tunnel to vehicle traffic were simultaneous. " You recall incorrectly. Long before the tunnel was modified for vehicle traffic, there were car trains which ran between Portage and Whittier. For a fee, you could drive your truck and trailered boat onto a flatcar with side rails and ride the train through the tunnel, and unload your vehicle and boat in Whittier. The ramp platform used for loading the cars on the trains is still there in Portage. And there most certainly was a small boat harbor prior to the tunnel being opened for vehicle.. Whittier was a pretty busy port for the PWS fishing fleet, as well as recreational boating.
The things that can be built with other people's money are amazing.
I lived in Whittier from 1952-53 serving in the army transportation corps during the Korean war. In early 1953 a fire completely destroyed the docks and we relocated to Seward. Does Portage Glacier still hang over the town?
My bucket list includes spending a winter in Whittier.
I have a friend whos been here. Great fishing in the area.
Amazing
People also live in the Manor, not everyone lives in one building. I live there.
Thanks again John in Chicago
Plan on visiting there this summer never been to Alaska only state that I have not visited
Everyone needs to visit at least once.
@4:16 His name is John Greenleaf Whittier (December 17, 1807 - September 7, 1892)...
So many things named after him in the merrimack valley Massachusetts. Had an English teacher who said she'd never even heard of him till moving to the area
I knew about this. I'd love to live there.
I seen about this town and everything. i love the fact the entire town is in a hotel building and everyone knows each other
@@SavedForThis from what i saw, the majority of the town are in the one hotel building with some others in their respective structures.
@@SavedForThis damn, inflation has kicked this country ass big time
...-the correct term for any establishment which houses coin-operated washers and dryers for public use is "laundromat"...
pft, ive gone weeks without leaving my house too. no shops or anything in my house though. because im not weak. and im very anti social. and everything can be delivered these days....
So what happens if there is ever an issue with the apartment building ? That really seems like putting all your eggs in one basket. They really should have another building or two for people to live in.
Problem is there is no free land to build another. Its all owned by railways appently
There is other places to live and another condo association, called the Whittier manor.
Don’t believe everything you see on the internet my friend.
I currently live in Whittier and have for 23 years.
Why don’t you correct the title?
Disappointed you didn't show how road vehicles were moved by flat car on a train through the tunnel before the tunnel was converted to drive-thru.
Pentrex Video did 4 or 5 video series on the Alaska Railroad. Volume 1 was filmed around 1985 / 1986 and shows the Alaska Railroad operations in and Whittier, Alaska including Railroad Car float operations there. Greenfrog Productions also did a few Alaska Railroad videos as well.
I'm confused. Is it Whittier or Wittner? You use both names in the video (and Wittner in the title), but I didn't catch the part of the video where you mention any name change to Wittner?
Let Take A Trip Down Whittier Blvd - Thee Midniters 1960'a Hit (on TH-cam)
Sad how people stop caring for that building.
I believe it is John Greenleaf Whittier, I thought the only things names after him were in the merrimack valley
Thanks for a great watch, This would have been a perfect vid for your hat......
How do you get prince of willliam
I've seen this covered on Mysteries of the Abandoned and know YOU will do a better job.
Only accessible by a train tunnel. I guess float planes, common in Alaska, and helicopters can't fly in that air. Boats can't float on that water, either.
Don't even need a float plane, Whittier has an airstrip.
Is it Whitner or Whittier? Im confused now.. Im from Alaska lol. I tried googling it too. hmmm
How about the roads etc which the US military built in Australia for the war effort. psThose Japanese WW2 jet fighters are not on my radar (threat to Aleutians).
I know its kinda weird to dislike a video and leave a rude comment without watching the video but you misspelled Whittier in the title
Yes. I knew.
Is it Whittier or Wittmer?
Is it just me or does anyone else want to know the dating life in this one-condo town?
You do such a great job, we'll let you go this time. Lol
Ketchikan gets more rain.
-stares at- will you please call the city before you try to say its name? This isn't an uncommon problem, especially with alaskan or other native names. We will really love to help you pronounce it. Also, the tunnel is a combo train and car tunnel, done by timing and with smogs cleared by jet engines.
Witner? You mean Whittier I think
Whit/I/er, not Whitner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
is it Whittier or Whitner because you're calling it both
It's Whittier not Wittner.
Everybody lives in one place because only 2 people own the land the railroad company owns the majority of the land and the military owns or used to own the 2 large buildings 1 of them has sat abandoned for many years the city still trying to work out the plans of redeveloping it a former military housing building just before the tunnel
The city and the town the state have wanted to restore the military complex building for many years now the problem is that in its current condition it really isn't worth restoring it is completely rotted out on the inside However given Alaska's housing population crisis in the fact that they don't have anywhere else they can build there because like I said the railroad company and the government-owned all the land They've managed to raise significant funds to start renovations for some parts of the building so it could be used again in a multi-use setting preferably mainly for residential use but they haven't even started construction yet still working on raising funds and they have made a substantial amount
Iooks like a hell hole to me.
Who takes spray paint way out there?
Whittier or Whittner? Sounds like you keep saying the latter.
SAY THE NAME THE SAME WAY ALWAYS! Wittier/Wittner/Wittnier?🤔 Consistently proper pronouncing shows basic respect for the site and people.
John Greenleaf Whittier
Discovering America, in the EXTREMES ! 😂 🇺🇲 🤔
Whittier not Whittner
Sea ward ? You really need to do more homework.
Calling something from the 20th century too historic to pull down is a little funny you have to admit. It's not that historic.
you mean Whittier
Are you trying to say Whittier?
It's Whittier 🤣
ewww "mildew" !!
I'm not sure I trust a report/documentary on something you don't even know how to spell. I'm German and I have no connection to that place nor have I ever been there. Yet I know it is Whittier not Wittner or Witter.
That was really not necessary. Even with the little cute emoji to buffer your "little snub"
There are ways to provide corrective information without coming across as a total jerk. So glad you know the correct spelling.
I kinda agree with you. He was pronouncing it that way too and it was annoying to me. I drove through the tunnel there in 2020 and hiked over to the portage glacier. It was foggy and rainy when I was there.
Whatever German you lost
Nature bats last. All human endeavors will collapse.
You forget to mention that the railroad owns most of the land giveing reason to lack of houses in town to which is why everyone lives in one building. This was brought up by a few people who have gained access to the main building where all the residence live many are not to fond of tourists being in there or takeing photoes or video eaither.
Punctuation in the scrolling text would be helpful.