Autonomous Living in Begich Towers: A self-sustaining apartment complex accommodating almost an entire Alaskan town.
In the heart of Whittier, Alaska, Begich Towers remains the home for most of the town's 272 residents. This iconic structure, originally built as army barracks during the Cold War in the 1950s, has since been transformed into residential condominiums, renamed Begich Towers Condominium, following the military's transfer of ownership to civilian control in 1975.
Nestled amidst the rugged Alaskan landscape, Begich Towers provides a sanctuary for the locals, shielding them from the region's snowy winters, rainy summers, and tundra winds. The structure, a veritable town under one roof, houses a grocery store, a health clinic, a post office, a church, a playground, an indoor garden, a police station, and even underground tunnels leading to other buildings in Whittier.
Residents of Begich Towers find themselves in a unique alternative to the hustle and bustle of big cities and even other small towns. Many have pointed out that you can't beat the view, with the towering mountains and pristine glaciers providing a breathtaking backdrop to their daily lives.
Begich Towers is a place of paradoxes, with residents agreeing there is "nothing to do," but "everything's here." The close-knit community thrives on its self-sufficiency, with residents often describing it as a town under one roof, where everything they need is within arms' reach.
The mayor's daughter, Jenessa Dickason, has shed light on life in Whittier on TikTok, garnering millions of views and questions from curious onlookers. Mayor Dave Dickason himself has stated that they don't need the big box stores and conveniences of a large city, preferring instead the tight-knit, self-reliant community that Begich Towers fosters.
Erika Thompson, a teacher living in Begich Towers, describes the community as a place where everyone knows each other, and where they look out for each other. This sense of camaraderie and mutual support is perhaps what makes life in Begich Towers so special, a testament to the resilience and spirit of the people of Whittier, Alaska.
