A bizarre settlement where the entire population lives in one building: the city of Whittier

Throughout the history of mankind, many interesting settlements have appeared. Magnificent cities, where incredible buildings rise to the sky and sometimes intertwined with all the beauties of nature, caused awe among visitors. But the city of Whittier in Alaska, USA, is very different from any human settlement that has ever existed. Because everyone in this city lives in a building called the Begich Towers.

For this reason, everything that should be in the city is in the building. Inside the building called Begich Towers, there are many different buildings such as an elementary school, a post office, a church, and a police station. As a result, people living in the city can meet all their daily needs without leaving the home they live in. Here’s what you need to know about Begich Towers, an interesting building where the entire city is packed into one building.

The United States decided to build a border post to defend against Soviet attacks from Siberia at the start of the Cold War.

Because the US state of Alaska was very close to Siberia, which was under Soviet control. That is why, in the early 1950s, the idea of ​​building a border outpost to ensure security in the region arose.

Construction work on the Begich Towers began in 1953 and was completed in 1957.

Built in a highly strategic area, the building was designed to accommodate all military personnel in the Whittier area. In addition, as a precaution against the harsh climatic conditions of the region, all the elements that the military personnel will need have been placed inside the building. In 1957, when construction was completed, more than 500 soldiers could simultaneously be accommodated in the central building of the military base …

By 1960, the US military decided to move its military outposts in Alaska closer to the Siberian coast. Thus, the previously built complex gradually began to lose its significance, and the US Army left the building …

A terrible earthquake in Alaska on March 27, 1964 destroyed almost all settlements in the region.

The earthquake, which changed the face of many regions, especially Alaska, had a magnitude of 9.2. One of the largest earthquakes in US history showed its worst face in Alaska. Therefore, it is not surprising that the buildings in this area have not been preserved. But among all the ruins, a strong building still stood!

Yes, the building, built by the US military almost 10 years ago, did not suffer the slightest damage from the terrible earthquake. Because the building, which is part of the military outpost complex, was built to be resistant to rockets, bombs and all kinds of Soviet attacks.

Residents of the area who lost their homes due to the earthquake decided to move into this army-owned building.

After all, they had no other choice! The US government has also allowed people to move into the building to help local residents. Thus, the building, once built as part of a military frontier outpost, began to accommodate entire townspeople and turned into almost a separate city …

The locals who settled in the building called it the Begich Towers. The building was known as the Hodge Building in memory of William Walter Hodge, a former colonel in the US Army.

Even today, residents who occupy the building do not have to go outside. Post office, church, police station, school, market and many other buildings are located inside the building. For example, children in a building just need to take the elevator and exit on the ground floor to go to school.

Those who want fresh bread for Sunday breakfast don’t have to go to the market in the bitter Alaskan cold. Because the market is inside the building. Therefore, it will not be a mistake to say that the Begich Towers are one of the most interesting human settlements in history…

Over the years, the building’s population has begun to increase as the city looks.

Begich Towers reached its peak in 2017. In 2017, 446 people lived in the house. However, the building was completely renovated in 2016 with support from the Alaska government. The cost of renovating the 196-unit home was about $3 million.

The area where the Begich Towers is located is close to the port where the world cruise ships stop.

For this reason, many tourists come to the city of Whittier and its environs at different times of the year. In fact, some apartments in the building have been turned into hotels for tourists. In addition, most of the region’s population makes a living from fishing.

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