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Whittier
(WIT-ee-er)
| Current Population: |
161
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 5% (Summer only),
Property: 5.0 mills, Special: $2.50 Passenger Transportation Business Tax
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| Coastal Management District: |
Whittier |
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| Location
and Climate |
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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, 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 60.773060° North Latitude
and -148.683890° West Longitude.
(Sec. 24, T008N, R004E, Seward Meridian.)
Whittier is located in the
Anchorage Recording District.
The area encompasses 12.5
sq. miles of land and 7.2 sq. miles
of water.
Winter temperatures range from 17 to 28 °F; summer temperatures average 49 to 63 °F. Average annual precipitation includes 197 inches of rain and 241 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Whittier
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Passage Canal was once the quickest route from Prince William Sound to Cook Inlet. Chugach Indians would portage to Turnagain Arm in search of fish. 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 a 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 and two tunnels were 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 14-story Hodge Building (now Begich Towers) was built with 198 apartments for Army bachelor quarters and family housing. The Buckner Building, completed in 1953, had 1,000 apartments and was once the largest building in Alaska. It was called the "city under one roof," with a hospital, bowling alley, theater, gym, swimming pool, and shops for Army personnel. Whittier Manor was built in the early 1950s by private developers as rental units for civilian employees. The port remained an active army facility until 1960; at that time, the population was 1,200. Whittier Manor was converted to condominiums in 1964; Begich Towers now houses the majority of residents, as the Buckner Building is no longer occupied. The city was incorporated in 1969.
The population of the community consists of 12.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Residents enjoy sport-fishing, commercial fishing, and subsistence activities.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 213, and vacant housing units numbered 127.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 79.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 90 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
15.89 percent,
although
37.06 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $47,500, per capita income was $25,700, and
7.1 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from wells and a reservoir. Water storage capacity is 1.2 million gallons. The entire community is served by a piped water and sewer system, and over 95% of homes are fully plumbed. Refuse is hauled out by a private contractor to Anchorage - the landfill has been closed. An oil and hazardous waste recycling center is available.
Electricity is provided by Chugach Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 35
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Whittier Health Clinic (907-472-2303).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Whittier is classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2F in the Prince William Sound Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Whittier Volunteer Ambulance (Clinic 472-2303/472-2340).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The city, school, local services, and summer tourism support Whittier. Tours, charters, and sport fishing in Prince William Sound attract seasonal visitors. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Whittier has an ice-free port and two city docks (70 ft cargo dock & 60 ft floating passenger dock). A small boat harbor has slips for 360 fishing, recreation, and charter vessels. It is served by road, rail, the state ferry, boat, and aircraft. A $70 million road connection was completed in the Summer of 2000. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel was reconstructed to accommodate both rail and road vehicles. The railway carries passengers, vehicles, and cargo 12 miles from the Portage Station east of Girdwood. The state-owned 1,480' long by 58' wide gravel airstrip accommodates charter aircraft, and a city-owned seaplane dock is available for passenger transfer. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Chamber of Commerce -
Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce
200 West 34th Ave, Suite 991
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-278-2493
Fax 907-278-2491
E-mail info@whittieralaskachamber.com
Web http://www.whittieralaskachamber.org
City -
City of Whittier
P.O. Box 608
Whittier, AK 99693-0608
Phone 907-472-2327
Fax 907-472-2404
E-mail info@whittieralaska.gov
Web http://www.whittieralaska.gov
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Health Corporation - Chugachmiut
1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99508-3463
Phone 907-562-4155
Fax 907-563-2891
E-mail info@chugachmiut.org
Web http://www.chugachmiut.org
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