Buckner Building

The Buckner Building is an abandoned former U.S. military building in Whittier, Alaska, on the Western edge of the Prince William Sound.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

During the early stages of World War II, General Simon Buckner commanded the defense of Alaska and was concerned they would be attacked by air.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To protect the troops, General Buckner recommended a facility that was independent from local power plants, bomb-proof, and that had sufficient storage spaces.<ref name=":1" /> Whittier, Alaska was the perfect place to have this military base.

First, the bay area around Whittier, Alaska has deep-water ports that stay ice-free year round.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With Whittier being one of two all-weather railroad ports that supplied Anchorage with military necessities, it was important that it would stay functioning and safeguarded.<ref name="USGS">Template:Citation</ref> Second, the almost constant cloud coverage would protect the facility from air strikes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Annex

The Cold War triggered the United States Army Corps of Engineers to quickly build housing and recreational spaces for 1,000 soldiers moving to Whittier.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The Composite Bachelor Housing Service and Recreation Center, also known as the Buckner Building, was completed in 1953.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This combined building had a mess hall, sleeping quarters, movie theatre, bowling alley, small jail, and tunnels connecting the town of Whittier, Alaska.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The building used to be one of the largest in Alaska, often being referred to as "the city under one roof".<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref> The building is six stories tall, about 500 feet long by 50–150 feet wide and is approximately 275,000 square feet.<ref name="USGS" /> The building was cast in place by reinforced concrete on slate/greywacke bedrock, 8,1.

Earthquake

In 1964, Whittier was hit by an earthquake that lasted about four and a half minutes.<ref name="NRC">Template:Cite book</ref> A total of 13 people died in Whittier and damages to federal and privately owned land was estimated to cost over $5 million.<ref name="USGS" /> The Buckner Building was slightly damaged, though it was minimized due to the foundation being on bedrock, as opposed to the majority of the town which rests on unconsolidated sediment and therefore received more damage.<ref name="NRC" /> The Buckner Building also runs northeast–southwest, oblique to the seismic motion, decreasing the effect of the earthquake on the building.<ref name="USGS" /> There was no structural damage to the building, and subsequent inspections found the building to be in good condition.<ref name="NRC" />

Decline

Interior view of the building in disrepair (2010)

The building continued to operate until 1966, at which point the military pulled out and the Port of Whittier was transferred to the General Services Administration.<ref name=":0" /> After the military left, the ownership of the Buckner Building went through a handful of private citizens, starting in 1972.<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At one point, it was owned by Pete Zamarello who wanted to turn it into the state prison.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> With the windows and doors missing, the elements began to take it over in the 1980s.<ref name=":5" /> Water infiltrated, leaving the building in a constant state of freezing and thawing.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The building went into foreclosure in 2016. The city assumed ownership and a fence was built to keep trespassers out.<ref name=":5" /> A structural assessment of the building in 2016 concluded that it was unlikely that any significant portion of the building could be rehabilitated for occupancy.<ref name=":6" />

See also

• Begich Towers a newer "city under one roof" also located in Whittier