Abandoned Military Base Turned City | Largest Building in Alaska | Destination Adventure.
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Entering the Buckner building is trespassing and will result in criminal charges. Any damages caused by entering the premises will result in additional criminal charges and civil liability. This building has not been maintained since it was abandoned by the military and contains numerous physical and environmental hazards.
Whittier Alaska, is a strange place with a bit of a strange story. This beautiful little coastal town is home to less than 300 residents, is accessible by boat or through a train tunnel, and most of what remains is remnants of an abandoned cold war military base. When the military abandoned this location, 35 civilians stayed behind to attempt to keep life going as they knew it. Since this town was built as a military base, there are no houses and these is only 97 acres of usable land, most of which owned by the railroad. The only place for the residents to live was the 14 floor apartment building, and they soon formulated a plan to buy it from the Government. 60 years has gone by since that time, and not much has changes in Whittier. The population has grown a lot, but still isn't enough to even fill the apartment building. Most of the other cold war era buildings have been repurposed into stores and businesses, but the largest of them all, the Buckner Building, remains abandoned. This 5 story building has been known since its construction as the "City Under One Roof" because it quite literally had everything a city has. From accommodation to entertainment, the Buckner had it all, and I was able to identify most of the recorded amenities. I was able to find my way to the bowling alley, jail, mess hall, multiple kitchens, shooting range, theatre and much more. To top it all off, I get to share it with all of you.
I want to give a big thank you to Brenda and Dave for their time and information. I also want to give a great big thank you as always to my wonderful Patrons. This channel is my full time job, and it is only possible because of my supporters. If you enjoy this channel, please consider supporting on Patreon: / destinationadventure
Or take a look at the Merch line: destinationmer...
I could listen to Brenda all day, she’s a natural storyteller who knows her town better than anyone
Visited there a few years ago with my family to take a glacier cruise. Talked with several of the folks working there and told them my husband and I met on Adak while we were in the Navy and really enjoyed our time there. They told us that we were far braver than they were bc at least they could drive out of Whittier where we were “stuck” on Adak. I would love to winter over in Whittier!
Wonderful video...came across it when I was researching the Buckner Building. My hubby and I rode our motorcycles to Alaska from Pennsylvania this past summer and we rode through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel for a quick visit to Whittier. Interesting history. Thank you! 💜💜💜💜
My stepdad, Terrence Milton Bailey, was a PFC in the Army and was stationed there at the Buckner builiding from 1953-1954.
I’m a roofer, those roofs originally had drains. Long since no longer working. They may have actually contained the water for use but drains are common here in Florida . A lot of roofs have parapet walls so the water doesn’t run down the outside of the building. In this case it proved to be detrimental. Always watching from Panama City Florida, USA. 🇺🇸. No Snow Just Breeze !
Great video as always.
I am thinking these must be a"pitch " roof, a natural form of low melt melt meant to be perfectly flat otherwise the pitch would run downhill. It used to be a government spec for roofs.Lloyd , roofer 38 years now.
Yes I’m from South Florida where it rains hard and a lot. A lot of roofs are flat with drains and overflow scuppers. When they pour the lightweight concrete ( zonolite), they pitch it to the drains and if they get clogged the water will go through the overflows. I know the type of tar you’re talking about but with those parapet walls the water had to go somewhere. We have two types of low melting point tar, pitch made with creosote and another kind that just has a low melting point. We used them on schools and government buildings. We also did a lot of base work (Armed Forces). I was in Roofers Union Local #57, we had a three year apprenticeship program. We learned all types of built up roofs. Towards the end of my career we were putting a lot of rubber roofs and some torch on applications but they didn’t hold up very good in South Florida. They might have improved by now. I had to stop working in 1991 when I got run over by a boat. The prop got me from under my left arm, down my back, my left hip and took off my left foot. After I painted and repaired roofs, and wood work. I’m retired now in Panama City Florida.
Amazing that such a massive building was only used for 4 years
Thank you for always allowing your guests to speak, uninterrupted. The Mayor and Brenda seem like good, wholesome people who truly love their town. How unfortunate that other residents can't purchase land/property there, though.
Wonderfully executed adventure!
That building has so many problems but luckily Senator Lisa Murkowski will look into fixing those issues that seafood company isn't a good place to work
My father's first duty station was there
Senator Lisa Murkowski has always put Alaska first when she said she will look into the problems with Begich Towers you know things will get done ok asbestos was installed by Department of Defense and since DoD sold those properties at a steep discount doesn't let DoD off the hook for dangerous issues with said properties DoD should clean those buildings up at no charge to the city of Whittier or its people what ever the problems are DoD must address and fix it asbestos and plumbing and electrical repairs so let's all pull together and ask Senator Lisa Murkowski to make it happen the safety and well-being of the Citizens of Whittier is all important and it shouldn't stop at Begich Towers as we all know DoD did buried toxins in the soil there as they did in Gamble Alaska and DoD had to clean those sites up at great cost Whittier shouldn't have to pay the price over past neglect DoD did in the very fine city of Whittier let's get State Representatives involved as well the louder we scream the faster the work will get done let's make noise Whittier and be very loud and respectful about it
@@sophiaanderson6631 Are you a resident of Whittier, or just someone who knows what's going on there?
See my comments
The people of Alaska are a different breed.
Your interviews of the locals gives a refreshing look at life in the places you visit. It's a very unique experience for the viewers and one more thing that makes this channel special.
Thanks for letting me adventure vicariously Dustin.
We have been following your channel and did an Alaska trip because of your recommendation Sept 2024!! Thank you for your travels!!
Dustin, you are so much more than a RUclipsr. You are a true filmmaker and storyteller. Well done, sir, well done! 👏 Thank you for sharing your adventures. I may never visit these places, but I can do so vicariously through your videos.
@16:00 looks to me like a loading dock, but I could be wrong.
Thank you very much. I never have been a fan of the term “RUclipsr”.
@@Destination_Adventure fair point. That term makes me think of "influencers" which, in my opinion, does not describe you.
I love your introductions with locals. Makes it about the community and not you. So rare. Keep up the awesome work.
Not going to lie, I was waiting for those zombie things from that movie “I Am Legend” to appear around every corner in that building.
Definitely a post-apocalyptic feel to the place!
@@drewping2002 you guys are always saying stuff like that. Seemed chill.
@@CANControlGRAFFITI it's just something about Cold War era ruins.
SAMEEEEE
Ive walked it at night. The sounds of that place would drive anyone paranoid
I KNOW this is gonna be 30 minutes of being glued to my screen!☺️
I was up there in '01, and poked around in the old building. It made me nervous back then (falling debris, etc.)! The locals took a while to warm up to us, but we really enjoyed talking to them! So glad to see and hear more of Whittier! Thank you!
it's not fenced off?
Great to hear the story of Whittier from the residents.
The little bit of history at the beginning, was the best part imo !
Amazing old building, thanks for the tour through. I find it amazing that it was said no young people were living there, at one time and the population is so small. But I can not believe all the graffiti throughout the entire building being so isolated. Enjoy your trip we sure do
Wow Dustin, that first half felt like a documentary! You are a documentary filmmaker!
The Buckner Building has a real "Alien meets Silent Hill" vibe. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It definitely appears to be well past the state where rehab is possible. Great video Uncle D!
Really put me in mind of Fallout, especially Fallout 4. Almost wanted to start looking for stuff to scrap... LOL
It can be restored but being 270,000 square feet it would be a big financial investment.
Lived in Alaska for 9 years. Explored the old base in Whittier one day and had a blast!
Thanks again for the adventure D👍, that new light is the bomb also😎
In case u wanna know...
Flat roofs are for the ease of installing equipment on, i.e. generator, air conditioner, etc, and it's much safer to walk on them when necessary, plus they're cheaper.
They're built with a drainage system, and when maintained there's no water build up or problem with that.
I was hoping u would find, and unplug the drainage holes, to have fun watching all the water gush off the roof.
Another good vid, Justin.
Wow..... what an incredible place. Such a shame that building is so far gone. Excellent adventure Dustin. Thanks for sharing.
I love the interviews you entwine throughout these videos.
Crazy to think they spent 2 years building that place, for a shelf life of just 5 years. Given the conditions there, 70 years onwards it is still standing.
Happy and safe travels Dustin.
Thank you
very interesting... it's beautiful there.. kinda reminds me of Rupert. Sending loads of love and white light energy for your safety.
Awesome video, and a great look at the not so distant past. . . . that being said I noticed on a few of the pipes still had the old insulation on them.The buildings, especially military buildings back in that time frame had tons of asbestos . . . . .be safe
Amazing cinematography, the intro was captivating. You did a great job telling the story of Whittier through its residence. It is a truly unique place with a lesser known history. We've been curious to see how the Buckner Building looks inside since we first laid eyes on it and, although hours could be spent exploring its endless maze of passages, I felt you provided an excellent tour. Thanks for taking the time to create the inspiring content that you do and to share it with us eager viewers who enjoy following along on the adventure. Safe travels!
I started to get that feeling like this was the beginning of a horror movie when he was in the bowling alley & in that tunnel, reminded me of a movie but can't think which one.
Awesome, yet again! Thanks for sharing.
I grew up in Anchorage from 8 to 21 yo, and spent the summer of 1970 (I was 15) with my best friend in Whittier squeezing eggs out of rotted herring, as well as Halibut fishing (we pulled up a dead whale shark in our skate!). A weird time! When winter started, someone let me stay in their rustic cabin 10 miles out of town on the Portage highway, so I hitchhiked out to it, and I got snowed in for a week. At least I got the oil heater working and thawed the place out. Then, being entirely alone and without electricity or anything entertaining, I went nuts and would dance around squeezing an old pirate accordion I found laying around. I finally dug my way out through 5 foot tall snow drifts to the road, and hitchhiked into town for coffee at a cafe. Best coffee ever! In the Google street views, nothing really looks like it did back in 1970, but I suppose there have been a lot of changes per the highway and cruise lines. My friend and I had heard of mysterious (and dangerous) abandoned military tunnels, but we never got a chance to explore. I can find no mention of those. Are they really a thing?
The tunnels are real. They went from the 800' long dock building up to the Buckner building. The Dock building has since been torn down so I don't know about current accessibility.
Thanks for the confirmation!!
Its sad to see such a huge building leaved going to rot
They just left it until it couldnt be fixed or destroyer
But there wasnt much they couldve done though
As an Alaskan this was the best info I have seen yet on this place.
I really enjoy your abandoned building explorations - this was a great one.
What an absolutely beautiful place I love places like that just small town charm thank you for showing all of us always enjoy your adventures take care
The gaps between the building sections are seismic separation joints, built into the building due to the seismicly active nature of the location. Over time and without maintenance, seismic activity and water intrusion have caused the foundations to shift enough the increase the gaps between the building sections.
As for the flat roofs, I'm pretty sure they installed roof drains, but by now they are blocked solid. It's amazing to see what nature does to construction when maintenance ceases. Only 50-60 years and it looks like an archeological site.
Awesome walk through an old time capsule. Time has not been kind to that building. Your drone shots are absolutely awesome. Thanks again.
Your brave going down that tunnel. But that all pretty cool thank you for sharing
Dustin your eye for filming and editing is amazing!! Always awesome to watch your show. Thanks for showing us parts of the world most of us will never see. Really appreciate it.
Thank you very much
Scary old building, there is no way I would have went in there alone.
Dustin I always watching your adventures. Have a blessed filled day.
Thank you Dustin
🇨🇦❤️🙏🏻
The sheer quality of your videos is astounding. The amount of work and time you put into your content is incredibly impressive. Every single one is a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing your skills with us by producing such wonderful art and entertainment.
I lived in Anchorage and in 1997 we went to Whittier to ski backcountry. We stayed in the apartments a friend let us use it and was not there. Next day it was pouring rain we skied up to a glacier and then back down. We were super soaked after. I never went back. 😂
Honestly man this video and many of your videos are top quality film pieces. Your ability to tell a story by using locals, places of interest, scenary and the sound track is really a true talent. I'm not sure how much you make off RUclips but I honestly think with the quality of your work you could make out very well doing the tourist videos for towns or working in documentary film making if you wanted too. This short video within 5 minutes made me want to go to Whittier Alaska and it was never even on my radar before as a place I wanted to visit. You really have a skill for film making/ inadvertent advertising. Someone would pay you handsomely to do this work for them. If this is what you can do by yourself i can't imagine what you could produce with an entire team. Cheers and keep up the great content!
It’s not a leg press. I think it’s an old X-ray setup. You were looking at the table where someone would lay. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy traveling the country with you.
Wow, another ery informative and interesting adventure. Thank you. 😊
There is so much history in that little town. Thank you for sharing this and all of your adventures with all of us.
I pray blessings over you and yours, and whatever you do, do it with your whole heart ❤
Great story,i heard about the rail going there and the tunnel.
So the cruise ship tourists do what?
Kinda like Rinse Rupert we wonder why we keep living here but outsiders are fascinated by it.
Almost sounds like Ocean Falls when it was at the peak,middle of nowhere but thriving.
When we left OC in 67 it was full tilt.
Sure do enjoy your videos man.
Go down to the Surf inlet gold mine if you can get in there.
Hydro dam from 1923 or so plus a whole town of gold miners.
We found the old pay book from the 40s...paid in pennies back then.
Its in kitamat museum...
Lots of adventures out there...wheres bilbo baggins going to next eh 😀😊😀
Its Prince Rupert Sound not trynna be that guy
And cruise ship tourists just take cruises around Prince William Sound then come back or go to other tourist cities
I was looking forward to seeing you film the Buckner! I saw it on the Discovery Channel "Mysteries of the Abandoned" and last episode when you said you were arriving in Whittier, I just knew you were going there! Absolutely did not disappoint! Awesome video, Dustin!
Thank you very much
Your uninterrupted interviews are priceless piece of footage and I feel like i'm privilege to see it. According to a 2016 study the building is full of asbestos, be safe Dustin! I really enjoyed watching all of your story this year specialy.
Thank you for sharing this cool location😊
Lifelong Alaskans that’s explored WW II and Cold War military sites all over Alaskan. Been in the Buckner countless times and it’s my top 3 favorite sites in all of Alaska. The underground tunnels there are crazy
Movie theater is my favorite part too
Wow ,now that's a piece of history monument or eyesore . What do u do,mmmmmm thanks Dustin .Always interesting
Yeah, really good work this week. Your videography and interviewing is showing real growth. Good on you, dude!
What an amazingly maze-like adventure! Great video Bro, don't sweat the frame shudder!
Fantastic Canadian content!
Great work Dustin!
Thank you
Really enjoy the conversations you have with the people you meet during your adventures.
This reminds me so much of my days exploring the abandoned buildings of Detroit.
Wow, that was fascinating. And incredibly well done. Thanks!
When you stepped out onto the water-covered roof I screamed, “NOOOOOO!!!” I wouldn’t have risked it. It is amazing though that somehow all those roofs were intact. If there were holes in them, the water wouldn’t pool so deep.
Oh my god! Are you ok? Did you survive watching it? Do we need to set up a GoFundMe for your PTSD?
Now that was an interesting video!! well done🙂
Thank you
🤔Hmm.. I see you threw Mick to the lobsters..🤣🤣
Fantastic explore.. And the back history from the locals helped fill in some of the details..
Stay safe Dustin..😁👍
Some tense moments . Wonder if there are any photos of when the place was in it's prime...or even an interview with someone who lived there in that building. Amazing places you show us.!
I have officially binged every single video over the past week, and I'm willing to do it again. You are my favorite adventure content creator and I can't wait to follow your travels in real time. Looking forward to seeing all this for myself someday.
This is awesome, thank you so much. You’ve invested some serious time into the channel over the past week, and I think that’s so great. I hope I can bring content you will enjoy for years to come.
Man, that shot at 2:34 👍😎
Thank you Dustin for once again taking me to a place I have never been!
Great work sir thank you!!!!
You hit it outta the park! Well done Dustin! You’ve e got a knack for documentaries! Loved your explore in the building afterwards. Felt like I “knew” the building before you went into it- compliments to your special guests!
Glad you were finally able to get some content from this place without the weather getting in the way.
This place looks like a great place to live tbh.
Dustin man that was another amazing video. Definitely never expected too see something like this thanks man🤘
Thank you
Found your channel a few moths ago, and i absolutley love your stuff. I'm from Kamloops, nice to support an interior dude!
Awesome video buddy! It's great to see the interviews from locals to get the background on these places. So interesting!
Nice 👍
Fantastic job with this video Dustin, not only do you find such interesting stories like this but you bring it to your viewers in such an authentic way. Like many have said here, you’re a true filmmaker and you quickly became one of my favorite channels here on RUclips for a reason. Even going back deep into your archives since I found you a couple months ago, you’ve shown consistency the entire time and I can’t wait to see what you do next, not just weekly but way into the future. Even with how far you’ve come, even bigger success is in store for you my friend!
Keep up the good work man i appreciate ur so down to earth and donr play up to the camera like some of the content makers do, so i gotta say thx for the entertainment 👍✌
Fast forward 50-100 years and it will be falling and be a hazard (if not already). So the movement to preserve it would have to have the money to renovate and maintain it. It's amazing the roof is still holding and floors haven't totally collapsed. Tells you the quality of materials and craftsmanship.
Sad as it is, everything comes to an end at some point. It's crazy to think that's been abandon about the same age as my parents and I'm in my mid 40's lol
If it was utilized until 70-80s or so, then yeah maybe worth trying to keep but it might be time to say goodbye :(
As always, thanks for the content and keep them coming, you're doing fantastic work.
Wow, that was really cool!
The Shining film.
Another great Video Dustin. Interesting to hear the locals tell their stories and your drone shots were fabulous. I'm still hoping you make it to the Kenai Peninsula for some salmon fishing adventures.
great video. this is extremely well made.
Thank you
and thanks for all your vidios
Very cool
You make it look so easy
amazing footage as always!
Thank you
Great video, at one time was probably a nice place. But as you can see clearly some of the damage done by vandalism . That roof system without drains built into it . Never seen that before. Thanks for sharing it was neat to see. Have great weekend 🖐
I'm pretty sure it has drains, but years of neglect and dirt and other stuff, I'm sure they are long since sealed with goop.. lol.
Top notch production. Keep it up.
Thank you
Excellent.
Hello Dustin, just reading your bio on your merchant website, wow you are on a long road of adventures. If you ever visit Astoria, Oregon look up George Hill (hill auto body & towing) youtube channel. George tows people stuck in the surf and beaches along Oregon?Washington beaches and roads. He's been video himself for 12yrs. Thank You Dustin, your natural art of story telling is a gift from Above. PS, outside of Skykomish WA is a abandon railroad tunnel. Skykomish town has a lot of history. Wade lives across the street from the yellow Masonic building, and knows a lot of local history.
Seems like a nice little town, but I'm not living in a housing project.
Just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy watching your adventures. I hope you continue to post them on RUclips. Best wishes!!
Wow that's changed a bit since I lived there about thirty five years ago
Outstanding video of Whittier, Alaska and some of it's long-time people.
The Buckner Building of a bygone military era, was interesting to include the guard house.
It's incredible how fast the building has continued into advanced decay.
The building is definitely the place for art and graffiti in that city.
I'm going to search for online pictures of when the area was an active military garrison.
Great video.
The table you came across was an X-ray table.
That's what I was thinking...
Loved this! Thanks
Strange little town
I took the ferry from Cordoba to Whittier, and the tunnel that connects to Anchorage. The vistas are stunning: Water falls 1,000 feet or more; glaciers the size of small countries; small islands; shops, restaurants with incredible sea food, isolated.
@@patrickmaloy5262its beautiful in whittier but you need to take a fishing charter through there
And not to be that guy but its Cordova not cordoba
Now that's the kind of place I want to live in
Hi Mike...To live in Whittier in the Winter you Really, Really, Really, REALLY Have to Love LOTS and LOTS of DEEP SNOW. and Love Shoveling Lots of it.🥶🥶
cool place and images
Great to hear history. I want to go through the tunnel, I watched that video too.
Love your videos and could be awesome someday go with you or a similar trip here in Europe. Greetings from Denmark and thanks for great videos
Great video! Interesting subject and very nicely shot and edited.
Thank you
The area described as a mechanics shop looked like a loading bay to me. The crane would be used to lift heavy items off truck beds.
It's a shame the roof drains were not kept clear, the building might be in much better shape.
Another great film, thanks for sharing.
Not going to lie as someone who was born and grew up in isolation and moved to a city Whittier would be slice of heaven for me