The Strangest Town in Alaska: The History of Whittier Alaska and the Portage Valley

The little town of Whittier lies only 3 miles from Alaska's most visited tourist destination, Portage Glacier, yet it remains relatively unknown. Mountains 4,000 feet tall, glaciers and lakes separate Whittier from the rest of Alaska, and until recently, the only way to reach the small port city was by rail, by sea, or by air (in very small planes only). Whittier sits at a fascinating historical crossroads, traveled for hundreds of years by natives, traders, and Portage goldrushers, the US Military, and now visitors from all over the world. The area surrounding Whittier and Portage Pass had significant roles in the expansion of Russian America, the Alaskan gold rush, WW II and the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964. This book chronicles the events that shaped Whittier and Portage Valley, and looks ahead toward new events that hold great promise, including a unique road system that has only now opened the door to Whittier. Well illustrated with historic photographs.