Why Alaska's "City under one roof" will Collapse | The Rise and Fall of Wittner

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  • Опубліковано 21 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 126

  • @ITSHISTORY
    @ITSHISTORY  Рік тому +68

    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 UA-cam algorithm! So please keep those comments coming! What topic do you want to see next?

    • @CologneCarter
      @CologneCarter Рік тому +10

      Nice try, but no cigar. In your intro you started the sentence with "Did you know that Wittner..."

    • @renegilmore9890
      @renegilmore9890 Рік тому

      Fort Egbert, Yukon Alaska. Please and thank you. ❤

    • @denali9449
      @denali9449 Рік тому +2

      @@CologneCarter Have you never heard of sarcasm?

    • @lsdzheeusi
      @lsdzheeusi Рік тому +8

      The episode where you get an editor to proofread your scripts and check content before publishing.

    • @michaelwhite2823
      @michaelwhite2823 Рік тому

      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.

  • @garbonzo540
    @garbonzo540 Рік тому +51

    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.

    • @anthonyloconte7835
      @anthonyloconte7835 Рік тому +4

      My son is stationed in Fairbanks.

    • @arfriedman4577
      @arfriedman4577 Місяць тому

      I would love to visit Alaska one day. I found Alaska interesting when I learned about in school.
      Approx 2009 I think, I saw Alaska Show about the train. One couple took a snow mobile to meet the train. Then I saw Alaskan Bush People, the kilchers, and the native Alaskan family.
      I know the shows are not totally real, but it gives an idea.

  • @absea7918
    @absea7918 Рік тому +17

    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.

  • @freetolook3727
    @freetolook3727 Рік тому +40

    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.

    • @nowake
      @nowake Рік тому

      @@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.

    • @fredkithcart5237
      @fredkithcart5237 Рік тому +3

      And cost astronomical amounts because of having to pay union wages

    • @dano8613
      @dano8613 Рік тому

      @@fredkithcart5237 thank you lol I was hoping to see this comment

    • @KleinerHerrMü
      @KleinerHerrMü 3 місяці тому

      Hm...I get the point, but I believe in this case it might be different. As these were military buildings I think it would still be possible to do it and quickly, even more so if there was an immediate threat. I grew up in one of the smaller cities in Germany were the US Army kept a permanent presence. Lots and lots of buildings in fenced off areas, all little towns for themselves. It was fun if you knew someone who worked for the US Army as a contractor, they could bring you stuff from their shops never to be seen or tasted before 😋 That was 35 years ago, and I left there about 15 years ago, but I have read that the US Army are planning to increase their presence there once more due to the war in Ukraine. All their sites from then are still up, running and in good shape, doing business with the locals as usual, and the locals doing business with them and bickering with them, also as usual. I got to see the apartment area of such a little town once when I was working as a building cleaner, doing the cleaning immediately after construction. They were pretty nice and built stable. Compared to what is rentable in Germany these days, they were just superb 👌

  • @uasparts
    @uasparts Рік тому +41

    Is Ryan drunk?! Heard him call it Whittier, Whittner, and Whittnier all within seconds of each other 😆

    • @rongendron8705
      @rongendron8705 Рік тому +3

      I agree! Can't he get the name straight? p.s. I've been to Whittier in 1999!

    • @codehaunta9878
      @codehaunta9878 Рік тому +2

      Not the only case of mispronunciation or misuse of language splattered all across these videos

    • @michaelcoonce6694
      @michaelcoonce6694 Рік тому

      I was there this summer and found it fascinating. I can't wait to go back

    • @jrm255
      @jrm255 3 місяці тому

      So what!

  • @brendakrieger7000
    @brendakrieger7000 Рік тому +6

    Thanks for covering this one! I've heard about this before,but never in this much detail.

  • @robertreisner6119
    @robertreisner6119 Рік тому +16

    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.

  • @liamthompson9342
    @liamthompson9342 Рік тому +8

    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.

  • @mstsp9546
    @mstsp9546 Рік тому +6

    Its amazing that people have lived there as long as they have. Interesting.

  • @superbee-di5tp
    @superbee-di5tp Рік тому +7

    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.

    • @Shin_Lona
      @Shin_Lona Рік тому +3

      Quite possibly the nicest people on Earth. That video restored my faith in humanity.

    • @Josh-yr7gd
      @Josh-yr7gd 9 місяців тому +3

      I was going to mention this. Great video. The lady who gave Peter the tour was so friendly and genuine.

    • @KleinerHerrMü
      @KleinerHerrMü 3 місяці тому

      Yes, you are right, it is a lovely video, watched it a few days ago. Also, Peter seems to be a decent guy, first video I watched from him, and I liked it a lot.

  • @adamvolcek9618
    @adamvolcek9618 Рік тому +5

    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.

  • @renegilmore9890
    @renegilmore9890 Рік тому +34

    As an Alaskan, I fell for the comment trap. ❤

    • @howitzer8946
      @howitzer8946 Рік тому +7

      Agree click bait.

    • @Bergmann.Alaska
      @Bergmann.Alaska Рік тому +8

      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..

  • @kennethjacobus6541
    @kennethjacobus6541 Рік тому +12

    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.

    • @denali9449
      @denali9449 Рік тому

      Whitekeys, a true Alaskan treasure! "Spawn 'till you die!"

  • @nemo2203
    @nemo2203 Рік тому +9

    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.

  • @ItsEverythingElse
    @ItsEverythingElse Рік тому +1

    My bucket list includes spending a winter in Whittier.

  • @rjoshb
    @rjoshb Рік тому +5

    I was there two weeks ago. The building looked pretty solid to me.

  • @richardkendall6746
    @richardkendall6746 Рік тому +4

    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?

  • @OriginalStachuJones
    @OriginalStachuJones Рік тому +9

    I saw documentary about it on other channel and I was hugely surprised to see polish person living there. We're everywhere 😂

  • @b.s.adventures9421
    @b.s.adventures9421 Рік тому +2

    Some of my cousins lived there for years and years.
    I grew up outside of wasilla.
    Had some other family in anchorage.

    • @b.s.adventures9421
      @b.s.adventures9421 Рік тому

      Last time I was there it was train only.
      Before the added the road bed.

  • @adamvolcek9618
    @adamvolcek9618 Рік тому +9

    I'd love to see a video on Meigs Field.

    • @DoughboyPathyUSA
      @DoughboyPathyUSA Рік тому

      I believe there has been one, search "Chicagos Forgotten Airfield"

    • @adamvolcek9618
      @adamvolcek9618 Рік тому

      @@DoughboyPathyUSA Nope, there is mention of it in Chicago's Forgotten Island, but that's it.

  • @Rock-Forehead
    @Rock-Forehead Рік тому +5

    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...

  • @KayakTN
    @KayakTN Рік тому +7

    The last time I was there, it was *so* foggy. Couldn't see a damn thing.
    Try the train ride. It's nice.

  • @StevenTorrey
    @StevenTorrey Рік тому +1

    @4:16 His name is John Greenleaf Whittier (December 17, 1807 - September 7, 1892)...

    • @ingibingi2000
      @ingibingi2000 Рік тому

      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

  • @denali9449
    @denali9449 Рік тому +8

    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.

    • @andrewalexander9492
      @andrewalexander9492 Рік тому +2

      " 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.

  • @hank5500
    @hank5500 Рік тому +5

    for once I can say I have been there, beautiful place.

  • @0fficialdregs
    @0fficialdregs Рік тому +1

    I seen about this town and everything. i love the fact the entire town is in a hotel building and everyone knows each other

    • @0fficialdregs
      @0fficialdregs Рік тому +1

      @@SavedForThis from what i saw, the majority of the town are in the one hotel building with some others in their respective structures.

    • @0fficialdregs
      @0fficialdregs Рік тому +1

      @@SavedForThis damn, inflation has kicked this country ass big time

  • @darrendavis4731
    @darrendavis4731 Рік тому +3

    The things that can be built with other people's money are amazing.

  • @dano8613
    @dano8613 Рік тому

    Everyone needs to visit at least once.

  • @AmsterdamHeavy
    @AmsterdamHeavy Рік тому +2

    I have a friend whos been here. Great fishing in the area.

  • @stevekeast2297
    @stevekeast2297 Рік тому +1

    Plan on visiting there this summer never been to Alaska only state that I have not visited

  • @thomaspierce9458
    @thomaspierce9458 Рік тому

    ...-the correct term for any establishment which houses coin-operated washers and dryers for public use is "laundromat"...

  • @jiminalaska
    @jiminalaska Рік тому +4

    People also live in the Manor, not everyone lives in one building. I live there.

  • @jrasicmark1
    @jrasicmark1 Рік тому

    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?

  • @haweater1555
    @haweater1555 Рік тому +2

    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.

    • @onrr1726
      @onrr1726 Рік тому

      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.

  • @Jpkjr52
    @Jpkjr52 Рік тому

    Thanks again John in Chicago

  • @Kev4Kev
    @Kev4Kev Рік тому +3

    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.

    • @spannajupiter
      @spannajupiter Рік тому

      Problem is there is no free land to build another. Its all owned by railways appently

    • @jzlove5088
      @jzlove5088 Рік тому

      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.

  • @themeantuber
    @themeantuber Рік тому +1

    I knew about this. I'd love to live there.

  • @Mk99987
    @Mk99987 Рік тому +3

    Why don’t you correct the title?

  • @dolsiemercado3140
    @dolsiemercado3140 Рік тому +2

    Sad how people stop caring for that building.

  • @seanreid349
    @seanreid349 Рік тому

    How do you get prince of willliam

  • @turdferguson7686
    @turdferguson7686 Рік тому +5

    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....

  • @debbieannsmith8962
    @debbieannsmith8962 Рік тому

    Amazing

  • @arnepianocanada
    @arnepianocanada Рік тому +10

    SAY THE NAME THE SAME WAY ALWAYS! Wittier/Wittner/Wittnier?🤔 Consistently proper pronouncing shows basic respect for the site and people.

  • @sl0523
    @sl0523 Рік тому +1

    Is it just me or does anyone else want to know the dating life in this one-condo town?

  • @dragonslyer74
    @dragonslyer74 5 місяців тому

    I'm here in Whittier watching you show about Whottier

  • @ingibingi2000
    @ingibingi2000 Рік тому

    I believe it is John Greenleaf Whittier, I thought the only things names after him were in the merrimack valley

  • @Afencingbear
    @Afencingbear Рік тому

    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

  • @salvadorlopez-beltran6734
    @salvadorlopez-beltran6734 Рік тому

    Is it Whittier or Wittmer?

  • @patrickbennett439
    @patrickbennett439 Рік тому

    Is it Whitner or Whittier? Im confused now.. Im from Alaska lol. I tried googling it too. hmmm

  • @IDNHANTU2day
    @IDNHANTU2day Рік тому +1

    Let Take A Trip Down Whittier Blvd - Thee Midniters 1960'a Hit (on UA-cam)

  • @wymple09
    @wymple09 Рік тому +2

    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.

  • @SubTroppo
    @SubTroppo Рік тому +3

    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).

  • @michaelwhite2823
    @michaelwhite2823 Рік тому

    I've seen this covered on Mysteries of the Abandoned and know YOU will do a better job.

  • @jetsons101
    @jetsons101 Рік тому

    Thanks for a great watch, This would have been a perfect vid for your hat......

  • @dindog22
    @dindog22 Рік тому

    is it Whittier or Whitner because you're calling it both

  • @musewinter9369
    @musewinter9369 Рік тому

    -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.

  • @gdnh
    @gdnh Рік тому +1

    Calling something from the 20th century too historic to pull down is a little funny you have to admit. It's not that historic.

  • @theicemanmypass
    @theicemanmypass 8 місяців тому

    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

    • @theicemanmypass
      @theicemanmypass 8 місяців тому

      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

  • @MrLamchp
    @MrLamchp Рік тому +2

    You do such a great job, we'll let you go this time. Lol

  • @Seawitch907
    @Seawitch907 Рік тому

    Ketchikan gets more rain.

  • @chrisaguilera1564
    @chrisaguilera1564 Рік тому +7

    It's Whittier not Wittner.

  • @RCAtlanta
    @RCAtlanta Рік тому

    Whittier or Whittner? Sounds like you keep saying the latter.

  • @monteengel461
    @monteengel461 Рік тому +1

    Whit/I/er, not Whitner.

  • @onrr1726
    @onrr1726 Рік тому +1

    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.

  • @sebert1
    @sebert1 Рік тому +1

    Witner? You mean Whittier I think

  • @deeacosta2734
    @deeacosta2734 Рік тому

    Yes. I knew.

  • @CologneCarter
    @CologneCarter Рік тому +14

    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.

    • @Lucky7tattooNettahoe
      @Lucky7tattooNettahoe Рік тому +9

      That was really not necessary. Even with the little cute emoji to buffer your "little snub"

    • @denali9449
      @denali9449 Рік тому +6

      There are ways to provide corrective information without coming across as a total jerk. So glad you know the correct spelling.

    • @johnmunsen7459
      @johnmunsen7459 Рік тому +2

      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.

    • @sethleger6105
      @sethleger6105 Рік тому

      Whatever German you lost

  • @paulsuprono7225
    @paulsuprono7225 Рік тому +1

    Discovering America, in the EXTREMES ! 😂 🇺🇲 🤔

  • @kenkloiber2989
    @kenkloiber2989 Рік тому

    Who takes spray paint way out there?

  • @westjkl9064
    @westjkl9064 Рік тому

    Whittier not Whittner

  • @billzumwalt324
    @billzumwalt324 Рік тому +1

    Sea ward ? You really need to do more homework.

  • @danstarr9895
    @danstarr9895 Рік тому +1

    Are you trying to say Whittier?

  • @oliverharris7366
    @oliverharris7366 Рік тому

    Iooks like a hell hole to me.

  • @MsCriticalthinker201
    @MsCriticalthinker201 Рік тому

    John Greenleaf Whittier

  • @KyleKlabunde
    @KyleKlabunde Рік тому

    you mean Whittier

  • @Tony-1950
    @Tony-1950 Рік тому

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • @thehighpointsofthestatesan9937

    It's Whittier 🤣

  • @DanKirchner5150
    @DanKirchner5150 Рік тому

    ewww "mildew" !!

  • @archstanton_live
    @archstanton_live Рік тому +1

    Nature bats last. All human endeavors will collapse.

  • @jimbendtsen8841
    @jimbendtsen8841 Рік тому

    Punctuation in the scrolling text would be helpful.