Alaskan Town That Lives In One Building - Isolated From The World 🇺🇸
1.5 hours southwest of Anchorage is a town accessed only through a tunnel under a glacier or by sea. A place where almost all of the residents live in one self-contained building with a school, store, church, USPS, and everything it takes to live under one roof. Join me as we meet some of the interesting people who live there.
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#Alaska
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You should do a series in the Alaskan Native village’s
@@RamseyredtoadPayne Ty . I will definitely check that channel out. God bless you. I am fascinated by this whole topic.
@@laraoneal7284 I would of never imagined such a place existed
@@damionmarkham9835 Exactly. I agree and am fascinated with what Peter has shown us about Alaska.
@@codywheeler9383 Yes I agree. I’m obsessed with the whole ALASKA topic Peter has exposed.
Oh my Peter, we have been walking around all day shaking our heads about this movie you made. I did wonder after a bit why you kept the camera rolling and asking so many questions! We thought your neighbors back home in Vermont would get really tired of this “ home movie.” You are such a dear heart, please come back to Whittier and visit us! I did not know you taped my prayer for you. It seems like it touched a lot of hearts. May the Lord bless and keep you.Jeanette and Joe
Thank you so much Jeanette and Joe! You guys are the best :)
Great prayer 👏🏻. I just loved this video. (From Pennsylvania :) ❤️
How amazing Janette and Joe for you to not only share your home, your life, but also your comments. God bless you in your work for Him there in Whittier. Praising Jesus for your prayers for even the camera guy.
Hello Jeanette and Joe. I am from South Africa 🇿🇦. I came across Peters blog about the building that you live in. Well I can tell you that if I had the money I can assure you that I wud have moved there. You and hubbies humbleness is so enduring and heart felt. Your love for Christ is so true. You can feel God's presence which is lacking in so many places. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you both abundantly and God bless 🙏 and a big big hug for you Jeanette 💕💖
Jeanette and Joe what a treasure you are. Keep the prayers going for everyone who knows if they don't know GOD it will make them think of him. GOD BLESS❤
"I hope I find someone nice to show me around" *finds the nicest woman in Alaska*
Possibly the nicest woman ever lolol.. I cried during her prayer 🙏
I was actually thinking the same thing!
She's such a beautiful soul I'm ashamed of some of my behavior while sharing the same name.
@@jeannettewhite3682 lol that's great 😂😂😂
@@jeannettewhite3682 lmao don’t be ashamed. She is really sweet tho 😂
“It takes a day to get married but it takes the rest of your life to stay married”. Wow. Very well said. So simple but it leaves such a deep meaning about a couple’s commitment to each other.
I'm definitely going to drill that into my mind.
The three rings of marriage: the engagement ring, the wedding ring and the suffering.
I lived in Anchorage for a few years. It forced you to be aware of your surroundings and to be mindful every time you opened your door to step outside. Could be a moose munching your flowers or a bear taking a tour. People living in Alaska realize how important community is and how interconnected we are. If you see a car stuck in the snow, you stop and help. It could be the difference between life and death. Having lived mainly in big cities, it forced me to think about things in a totally different way. I loved it!
Couldn’t have said it any better
It’s kind of sad that a lot of humanity is now lost because we don’t have that deeper sense of community that we should have.
I live in Madison Va and I have about 27 acres. I get bears, deer, foxes and all sorts of beasts out here. You're right about being aware of your surroundings. One difference though I just hit a deer on RT 29 last week. Totaled my car and not one single person stopped to see if I was ok. Alaska sounds nicer
@@truth3899lots of shitty people moving to VA just my opinion, well lots of shitty people everywhere these days but especially here
@@truth3899That’s terrible. I know California and LA get a bad reputation, but every time I’ve needed help someone has stopped. I can’t imagine being in a car accident and ppl just driving past. 😞
When she said “it takes one day to get married, it takes the rest of your life to stay married” I felt that.
Powerful words ❤❤❤❤❤❤
i failed that one
Now it takes a lifetime to try to find someone to marry... most born after 1980 wont ever marry or have kids- less and less each year. Cant afford homes let alone kids
When the husband says “I’m sorry, please forgive me, and thank you, I love you” that’s a reference to a Hawaiian proverb called ho’opono’pono. You can tell Hawaii means a lot to these two, their home is decorated just like it and the spirituality of Hawaii lives in them.
and yet they live an isolated life totally devoid of culture...of warmth of contact....as their dream dies along with their floor that cant be fixed...
Wow, now I get where the name of a music band comes from
@@jadezee6316 but they’re happier than you
@@TinyTonyGOD I believe this too. SO content and happy.
@@jadezee6316 They have culture, a small communal one. They have warm contacts, each other. And they are happily married, surrounded by nature, and making the best of their world. Sounds like a good life to me. Maybe try and be less judgmental?
I went to Whittier as part of a tour with my Mum in July 1997. It was a Canada Alaska tour. We had an absolute blast. Every single stop was fascinating and we learned so much as well as had fun. Truly memory of a lifetime. At the end of our trip on our 13hr flight home we were quietly reminiscing and both mentioned that, out of all the places we’d been over the 6 weeks, we both really loved Whittier. We had covered so much territory but both loved Whittier and swore we’d return one day. My Mum died unexpectedly in January 1999. I saved up and took myself on exactly the same tour as I’d been on again in 2012. It was as though she was beside me the whole way, but was most obvious was in Whittier. Particularly travelling through the tunnel. I caught a whiff of her perfume. Probably psychosomatic but who knows… maybe she was on that second trip with me ❤
She certainly was. ❤
You felt your mother's nonphysical presence and smelled her perfume, her way of confirming to you, yes love, I am here, travelling with you once again on this memorable trip. ❤
Wise people. Thank you for this film and the host’s graciousness.
❤❤❤😊
thanks for sharing your touching story ❤
Joe and Jeanette are just delightful people. Jeanette's prayer at the end was beautiful. This style of living honestly appeals a great deal to me.
I spent the summer of 2008 hitchhiking with a backpack across Alaska. Camped along highways, national parks, urban areas, and occasionally staying with good people met by chance or on the road. I found myself in Whittier for a few days, near the end of my trip. I was cold and tired, my boots and gear soaked with rain from the day prior. I was not looking forward to setting up my tent in the forest just above the building in this video. A local near the harbor mentioned a large bear was seen in the immediate area I had planned to camp, which made sleeping in a wet sleeping bag below a glacier even more severe. I needed a dry place to think of an alternative plan and possibly hang dry my sleeping bag. This building was one of the few places in town to go and get out of the drizzling rain. I sat down in the front foyer where all the historical photos are (the chairs are now removed in this video). I was physically exhausted. I met a woman who invited me down a hallway to the sailor’s meeting/support room and offered me a plate of food. She was kind. Asked me about myself and soon thereafter she had coordinated with someone else in the building to find a place I could sleep for the night. A bunk bed in a small room filled with non-perishable food (I think the church used it to store food bank donations). They would not accept any payment or reciprocal exchange. I’d long forgotten her name and specific appearance, but Jeanette’s prayer with you at the end of this video pretty much confirms she was the kind person whom I met years ago. Remarkable to see this living memory virtually unchanged in 2022, and be reminded of that act of kindness all this time later. Thank you for this video Peter, and thank you Jeanette for helping a weary young traveller from Canada!
wow this is amazing! so surreal for you to see her on here
Amazing story. Jeanette is an angel
Thank you so much for sharing such a great experience you've had there in Whittier AK.
Fantastic story! Thank you for sharing.
I wonder what Jeanette's mansion in Heaven will look like? She won't have a tilted kitchen floor no more...unless it's tilted from all of her Heavenly riches that is.
Jeannette and Joe are the two friends none of us knew we wanted. Whittier is lucky to have them.
👍 Yes very lucky. Good people.
I agree with this.
Agreed 🥰
they seem like wonderful people...spokesman for Whittier
Something is off about them. This might be a cult. Look at their body language, how they act superior. Capable of evil
Wow! How interesting that was! The dear lady praying for you! The lady who owned the store was rightly proud of her accomplishment, the mission for the sailors! I bet those people work REALLY hard and probably away from their families for a long time too. Thank you!
Interesting and fascinating story. I never knew about this apartment building. 😮😊😮
this lady just cured my depression
I just wanted to send you tons of love and hugs ❤❤❤❤
Is anyone else amazed by the trust and love that these people have in this community?? This guy shows up completely out of no where and they are leading him through the halls, introducing him to loved ones, letting him in their homes!! So trusting and so pure
Yeaaa... and also the cameras, security, automatic garage door, names wiped from the directory, all speaks of such trust.
It ain't nothing special 🤣 they being friendly to a guest what you expected. Gatekeepers!?
rural america is just like this too but it's dying out
They depend on tourism so of course they are gonna be friendly to a guy with a camera lol
It is a very amazing community. I would actually love to live in this community! 💯
After 50 years they are still happy and joking around, so heartwarming to watch these two
@@korhanduranozelYes… So they play around with each other. What’s your point?
@@mochabearry ... You're not very bright, are you?
@@mochabearrymany couples hate each other now
I am from Scotland and I want to thank you and the residents of Whittier for inviting us in to your homes and hearts. You are all amazing people to create a community that cares about each other so much. Bless you Jeanette & Joe ❤
Scotland?? You mean Samoa
You’re not invited. You’re unwanted here. You actually want to go to Canada. Not the US. Stop confusing the two countries of America and Canada. Classic Euro moment.
@@HaythamHaernwulfwhy would he mean Samoa 🤔 I’m sure he knows where he lives
@@autumn5852 Nevermind, i thought she was Samoan talking about the Samoan community living in Whittier. She didn't mention anything about going there herself so i made an assumption that she miswrote Samoa as Scotland.
@@autumn5852I'm pretty sure that she's Samoan origin. _Maybe_ a Scottish Samoan but not even a Samoan Scot, I bet!
What a unique scene. As Peter said, "somewhat isolated from so much of the world, but at the same time so connected under one roof." Beautiful people.
Jeanette and Joe are adorable! Married for over 50 years is such an achievement and he still makes her laugh. They appear so genuine and happy together 🥰
Jeannettes prayer and her voice was very very calming. She needs a KZhead channel where she just says different prayers for me to go to sleep to.
Long marriage used to be normal until everyone wanted to be “independent” and non traditional
@@pandaangry1267 Though to play Devils Advocate, I've known elderly couples, as well as some family members who didn't believe in divorce who spent 30, 40 years married and were miserable almost all that time. Some couples make it a half century happily and some don't.
@@pandaangry1267cause people thought you weren't allowed to leave each other. Don't be silly
I'm from India and I have to say Jeanette is such a wonderful warm lady, that no matter how cold or isolated a place can be, amazing people like her can still make it feel welcoming and warm.
@@edwardleslie3849 You realize that the Himalayas are spread across several Indian states right?
@@benaffleckisanokayactor very true have you ever been to the Himalayas. It's truly breath taking and you would feel so small there in front of those huge glacier peaks...
@@edwardleslie3849 yet, there are hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy living in such places. I live in Alaska and 30° below zero weather is just another day.
AMEN! ❤
I was so touched by Janette's prayer for you Peter Santenello (near the end). That was a beautiful prayer!!! And indeed, what an amazing community/city they have created and spiritual support for the workers on the ship. Really wonderful, thank you for going there and recording it.
I don't know how to express my feelings exactly, but this video leaves after itself kinda... heart-warming, cozi-ish feelings... that's an awesome job, man, keep doing what you do! Greetings from Russia!
Her little prayer for Peter was one of the most moving and meaningful prayers I have heard in my 75 years on this planet and she is not even “a preacher.” Awesome, awesome, awesome lady. No “victimhood” here. A blessing.
That woman is made of the kind of good old kind of stuff.
Timer Counter prayer 24 minute and 04 seconds start ❤
I agree, Peter thanks for leaving the prayer in the video.
The prayer was so sincere and loving and she was such a wonderful host. Amazing woman. Lucky to have met her Peter.
Loved the simple and genuine prayer from this ladys heart.......so true, Jesus is seeking. He came to seek and save the lost......and that describes all of us. Peter included. Thanks Peter for leaving that prayer in the video. We enjoy your videos.
Extraordinary. I don't care where you live - what makes it worth living is having community.
3 minutes into the video and I think these are the nicest people in the world.
I'm not quite sure why but the ladies prayer for you touched me, how thoughtful and kind. It warms my heart knowing that their is still some good people in this world after we are shadowed with soon and gloom most of the time... Vancouver Island British Columbia
Because it was HONEST
I don't know why someone hasn't realized to potential of turning many of the abandoned malls in America into self contained villages or towns. Like this example, it's the ideal use of an existing facility.
That would be a lot more work. This looks like an old military housing building. They didn’t have to refashion it at all. There were families living in there in the same way already…children attending the school, etc. I lived in army housing that looked very similar to this building in Germany. Yours is a good idea tho, and I agree.
Daytona Beach Florida they are turning the closed down Macy's into luxury indoor apartments
I've actually seen a couple of videos where people have, in fact, done that sort of thing. It's a super cool concept and I agree that it's a great way to repurpose lots of unused or underutilized buildings.
The oldest mall in America, The Arcade Providence,RI has turned the upstairs into apartments and the ground floor into retail space. 💕
@@robine916 I am a qualified lesbian
Joe and Jeanette were so welcoming and hospitable and funny! Jeanette’s voice was so soothing to listen to and her prayer seemed so heartfelt and kind! It’s a homey feeling to watch this! Thank you for sharing Whittier with us!
@@edwardleslie3849, do you live in Whittier? I ask because it seems that, from the outside anyway, the seclusion would be nice, but I can also see how it could become monotonous and difficult to deal with what comes with that seclusion.
@@brandynettleton1658 he’s a troll
@@edwardleslie3849 STOP your needless and ugly trolling!
Grew up in Anchorage, uncle used to work for the railroad and we would go to Whittier every now and then but as a kid you don’t pay much attention to your surroundings so to me that building always looked like an abandoned building, it’s so nice to see Alaskan people being shown for what they are, truly amazing and kind people. Thank you Peter
Idk why but as a Mexican I was shook hearing Spanish around the 18:20 mark. Never would expect what sounded like a Mexican couple speaking to each other to be so far into the cold.
Alaska is quite the melting pot of people from everywhere. I miss home a lot.
That's totally a Mexican dude . Maybe a lady in the background. "..hasta la una..."
Yesss definitely Mexican
You can always tell the true character of people by the way they talk about people who are different than them. They had nothing but positive things to say about the Samoan people. So wholesome 😊
We have a lot of Samoans in the Pacific Northwest. In my experience, they're some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
Samoans are loved most places, I don't know if I have ever even met a Samoan but I know I love them.
so wholesome and sweet! 😭
Seems like they have a lot in common, most especially where they live and their beautiful faith. It's good to see everyone united in Jesus.
@@burttantallaski629 - You might, can, say that. However, in reality, these 3 Abrahamic Doctrines have been Warring for 4,000+ years. My question is; When does the War end? And, when does that "New Testament" start? "These people" are still fighting "Old Testament" battles 🤔
Jeanette and her husband have such a great energy and humor! I haven't enjoyed two seniors chatting in a long time! Loves it.
They are so lovely!
Pete....you are my new favorite channel on KZhead. No cap bro. I've traveled a lot for work and life over the last 48 years & the kindness of strangers is humbling. It's also a reminder that there are still normal hard working people in the world.
YES, I agree! I came across one of your videos randomly, while researching a new state to live in, and have since watched quite a few more. Pete, you are really an amazing and deep guy. I am excited to keep watching all your other videos, and learning not just about the places you take us to, but the people who live there. The way you connect with people is freaking awesome. Thank you for taking us with you and sharing all this. It really is something special.
Agreed. Such a great channel
You two are absolutely the most beautiful, loving, sweetest couple I have come across so far in my life. You both have aged like a bottle of fine wine and obviously only get better with time.I was so touched by a few of the things you said were the secret to a 50 year marriage that I just had to share with my close friends and family. It takes just one day to get married but a lifetime to stay married. In a healthy marriage you can't have contempt or criticism. The most important phrase to remember is "I'm sorry, please forgive me, I love you." because it works on most all things. The prayer at the end was so beautiful and thoughtful and so meaningful. You spoke from the heart and it was so sincere. Thank you so very much for sharing you life with us all. what a cool place to live being so isolated from the world. That's defiantly a place I could thrive in. lol
May the Lord be seen in our lives!
Crazy! My father is from Whittier. My grandmother lost 3 children during a tsunami. He would tell us that you could not drive there and there was only one way in and out. And of course he had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to school! After seeing this , I now believe him 😆
My dad had a big scar on his arm from falling into the fireplace when he was a little boy. He told me he got it wrestling an alligator and I believed him until I was like 25 years old. We live no where near alligators.
Yeah, I've been there probably 5-6 years ago. There are few small shops, some are definitely for the turists, with a lot of various "gifts". And the way there is via the long tunnel too, at some point. All in all, a very remote place, not a lot to do there (if you are just visiting, and don't like going on the boat - otherwise it is quite cool). And personally I enjoyed being there. Pure remote location, with enough civilization around so you don't feel lost. Edit: formatting of text
looool......why do we never believe our grand parents and their grand stories about how they used to walk to school😂😂
Your Grandmother losing her children. This is so sad 🥹🙏🏾
@@kristingallo2158 that's precious!! ...a beautiful, sweet memory ❤️
My son lived in Whittier for several years, worked for the seafood company and ran a caviar crew. He loved it there, but it was tough to make a living all year long. As many times as he tried to describe the building and the tunnel and the lifestyle there, I couldn't really imagine it. Thank you so much for this video!!! My husband even has a hoodie that our son sent that says POW on the front and Prisoner of Whittier on the back, lol!
I loved Jeanette’s prayer at the end. And I come into a agreement with her. God bless you and your work Peter.
Amen i am happy there are Christians people around the World
Gonna go on an Alaskan cruise next May or June. I am gonna make sure I take the one that stops in Whittier. These people are delightful
I figured it out after watching Peter's videos. The people that we meet through Peters POV are down to earth, always wanting to share their life, and downright good people, and the reason they do comes down to Peter just being a good honest person with a genuine interest in sharing the worlds people with us no matter who they are. Good People attract Good People.
Good people also attract bad people. You don't know anything about the maker of this video, other than what he presents himself as. Stay in school.
You got all that from 26 minutes? You know all these people in the video are downright good people? Please don't be so naive man you're not 12
Absolutely 😊
Clowns on here negative at someone who sees the good in the peeps in this video. Maybe it's your parents fault you act this way,shame shame.
HATERS
I love how she prayed for him, like it was the most natural thing in the world. What a precious thing.
And it was the best, most heart-full prayer. 🙏 She's amazing!!! ❤❤❤
It should be. The creature longs for his/hers CREATOR, even unknowingly.
Like he was a son. Awesome.
I had an old italian Woman do the same for me the other day after fixing a leak in her house im not religeos but really appreciated and enjoyed it.
@@Grace-ty5ny cringe size large
My friend Dustin Porter from Destination Adventure was in Whittier about the same time as you filmed this. He used to work on the cruise ships, and then started his YT channel, and now his adventures take him all over BC, and parts of the USA. You went more in-depth into the Apartment building than he did, what a beautiful community.
I am SO obsessed with your videos! Thank you for going to places that we would never go or even think to go. I have learned more from you then I have from history books. Keep doing what you’re doing!! 😊
When i studied Master in Architecture I actually did a planned community like this where everything is in a mega block building for rural communities, including a geothermal plant, water treatment plant/well, and a aquaponic farm. The critic didn't go very well, people called my project Judge Dredd Tower. LOL i always believed it could work with people with a sense of community. i am very glad i found this documentary! it feel like part of my idea is validated and alive out there!
We need this kind of thing. Were having a world wide housing shortage. I'm all for mega blocks.
Most people wood probably prefer this… when I lived in an isolated community of 50 people in Oregon, everyone was always talking, wishing they were closer and more centralized… a community tower would be great… especially as rural communities are primarily old people in America.
Living like that would be so miserable
@@egodumpster not for people who would otherwise be homeless.
@@egodumpster it is like a big apartment, with all amenities inside, including medical service, store and police. It can dramatically reduce living cost and form a closer community And it is still surrounded by greens and nature just outside. It would be quite nice for rural communities
Loved the scene in the store with a Polish, Samoan and Ukrainian person all joking and getting along. The way the world should be
We need to live in close enough proximity to actually get to know our neighbours
a polish isnt a russian!
@@coraline1503 nobody said they were
Ukrainians have very good relations with Poles, so that's quite logical. There are always exceptions, but usually it is like that. Speaking from my experience, as a Ukrainian in Poland and from experience of many Ukrainians who temporary live here
Why is that the way the world should be?
What a beautiful woman and prayer. May God continue to bless her!!
Very positive energy and heartwarming... it feels like in Alaska people generally are friendly and nice
My uncle from The Philippines worked here before. He too came to AK with nothing, but the Filipino & Samoan community embraced him with open arms. I have nothing but respect to my Samoan brothers and sisters.
Samoans are a strong ppls, their history is incredible, the wars they been through and tribal island fighting breds warriors
I mean, yall are kinda island relatives by blood..
@@ricoh881227 Heck, probably half of South America is related to them by blood, if you go back a few thousand years. 😋
@@MrJest2 yeah not wrong... Not wrong either..
My wife, her son and myself had the unique experience of staying in Whittier, in that building some years back. She was a nurse practitioner for Eastern Aleutian Tribes at the time and was assigned there temporarily to fill in for a vacation. We were fortunate enough to get on the last glacier tour of the season. While on the tour we were eating our meal and one of the bartenders came over and asked if Bryce, my wifes son, who has Downs Syndrome, would like to meet the captain. He was quite happy and enjoyed it greatly. I really liked your video.
@@frasiercraine1776 don’t assume. He was simply describing someone in his life, you don’t have to read into it.
To fraisier crane Bryce is my stepson and my friend. I love him as I love anyone. We have a great relationship. When people refer to me as his dad he is quick to point out that I am his step-dad. I can only hope that you have someone in your life like Bryce.
@@danwillams10 I am very curious as to what this human being originally posted. He has obviously deleted his comment.
Been captivated by this channel lately. Incredible work Peter. Truly gifted and able to meet such a wide variety of people where they are. I know you're not religious Peter, but it does feel like no matter what area you're at, God is seeking you through the incredible people you are meeting. God Bless you
Peter! I've been watching all of your videos to help me relax as I deal with insomnia, was glad to find this one because my great grandfather helped build this place! He was part of the military fleet stationed in the Aleutian islands! I've been longing to visit but as a disabled, home bound person, this video was probably the best I'll ever get! THANK YOU!
Lived there from early 1957 to either late '58 or early '59. I was 12 years old and didn't speak a word of English. No bull. Learned real quick! It was probably the most fascinating place for me in my whole life. People were wonderful, nature was super and somehow we kids could wander around and do whatever and nobody worried about us. Couple of things about the building in the video. It was NOT where officers lived. It was like on any army base: the livinq quarters for officers and non-commissioned officers and their families. I don't think unmarried officers lived here. I think they lived where ALL non-married soldiers lived; the other big building. I can never remember which building was called the Hodge or the Buckner Building. The jail was not in this building. It was in the now abandoned building. Maybe later they put a tiny jail in this building since the other one was I assume destroyed due to earthquake damage. The "other" building was also where all real social activities etc took place. There was a small PX (with lots of fishing gear) a small commissary, a library, a movie theater, a jail, a bowling alley, a craft and hobby shop, and obviously a snack bar. The soldiers lived there also. I was never in the soldier section but spent a lot of time in the other sites mentioned. Some people did live behind the 15 story Buckne building in small trailers etc. That had to have been very rough. I sometimes walked there late at night. These were mostly contract employees and their families. We did not live in the high rise right away but lived in Whittier Arms a apartment complex near the docks which is now a condo. Also I just now remembered that we moved from Whittier Arms to a small free standing unit for a short period of time next to the church which was to the right of the high rise, close to the glacier stream nearby. I used to dam parts of that stream up a little bit in the summer time. It did not have a salmon run, but the were caught in two coves nearby with the rather original names of "The First Salmon Run" and "The Second Salmon Run." At the latter I used to wade into the stream and catch them by hand, but always let them go. Some I helped get past the shallows which were only a couple of inches deep. Back then there were 3 ways of getting in and out of town. By train, we did that twice I think, by boat and by helicopter. Never took a boat or helicopter out of there. Did do a lot of fishing. There were tugboats which took the families out on Saturdays to see the sights and do a bit of fishing. Also a WWII landing craft. Like I said it was a great place for kids. There was also a Quanset hut nearby for social activities... The boy scouts met there. I became a member. So why was there a Port of Whittier as it was called back then. The explanation given to me by my stepfather was that Whittier was conduit for supplying Elmendorf Air Force base with airplane fuel... Why Whittier? It had a good protected, deep harbor and that was ALWAYS ICE FREE. So the tankers came in. It was also I was told a hard place to bomb being so closely surrounged by mountainrs. The fuel - Unloaded and off it went by rail to the Elmendorf Air Base. One has to remember this was truly during the very cold Cold War. World War II had been won, Korea had been fought to a draw and the world looked very very dangerous after that. The Peace that had been assumed that would happen after the World War was considered to be illusionary at best. And the easiest way to hit the USA was considered to be from way up North, so a lot of money was spent in defending from attacks up there. In this video, the lady I think near the end shows a old picture, points and says: "this is where the tour boats dock." Long ago and in the picture you can see a Wigwam Burner there, it was still functional at the time and that means there was still commercial logging going on back in the 50's. Well it is late in Bangkok on a nice warm night... Think I'll call it quits. Thinking of going up there in the summer of '23, but I think my memories are better than the reality. Oh, one more building... Looking out from the high rise there is a squat 2 story concrete structure without windows. Looks like a square box. It was the gym. And a gym it was; with every possible contraption that any superb gym could have. At that time school still had Physical Training and it was held there. Cheers... Al
Hello Alfred, Thank you for your kindness and your informative letter. It would be great for you to come back to visit. All the wooden buildings you remember were torn down when the Army left. The earthquake and tsunami really caused a lot of devastation. The gym building is still there but used for boat storage and a kayak business. The Anchor store and hotel and restaurant are also two old cement Army buildings. There is also a one room museum housed in one of those buildings, with Army memorabilia which is very well done but small. I know you realize Peter could not tell the entire history of this town in a short video, but your comments from the memories of your childhood are a very precious addition. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Cool 😎
That was pretty cool
when I was reading your comment and whole story.. Imaginary pictures coming in mind like iam touring there ....its super 👌👌
No way can this comment be fake. I literally believe every word. Thanks for kind details
“It’s not real life it’s Whittier, if you can’t fix it you have to accept it” this man is a real one
❤❤ loved him
Most can't accept reality! When you do, you begin to live!
In 2010 I hitch hiked into town and the slogan I was told was, “Everything is shitier in Whittier” 😂 I remember seeing the tall building thinking this place felt like communist Russia. I’m glad this video shows a different side of things.
I loved watching this. What a sweet and absolutely lovely people Jeanette and Joe are! So welcoming and friendly. I hope you get a chance to return and visit with them again.
alaska is such an intriguing place to me. really is the final frontier and modern wild west. remote settlements scattered over a vast landscape
This lady is the sweetest 😢
That lady is so sweet. She seemed really happy & proud to show you her building. I hope she enjoys it for many years to come.
Peter, I loved this video. What I loved most was the prayer this sweet lady prayed for you❤
Out of all the other couples that live in this building, he goes on to meet exactly the sweetest one...
My parents and my uncle and his girlfriend rode motorcycles from Minnesota all the way to Alaska in 2019 and they visited Whittier. Well while riding thru the tunnel my parents crashed on the bike. And the town's people shut down the tunnel to get my mom out of there. She was checked out, she was ok but very bruised and in pain. Nothing broke, thank God. Well she didn't want to get back on the bike to go back thru that tunnel so a nurse who was in Whittier for the day offered her a ride back thru the tunnel, which she took. Mom had called me back in Minnesota and told me they almost died in a crash so of course I was worried about them. She said she wasn't sure if she wanted to continue on their trip. Bcuz she was so scared, upset. She thought I should fly to Alaska and she would fly back, and that I would ride back with dad. But once she got to where they were staying for the night she called me again and told me she'd continue. I was a bit bummed but I'm just glad she changed her mind. Mom told me the people of Whittier were probably the nicest people she ever met. They really took care of her. Made sure she was alright. Just thought I'd share that with you. A story about Whittier and the tunnel. Thank you for sharing your video on Whittier. I finally got it see it. I'd love to visit there one day. Thanks again. NE Minnesota here.
Thank you for sharing.
Good thing they got that trip in before covid. Now they probably won't ever let you through...
@@bobsmith1723 yes. I was supposed to go the following summer which would have been 2020. But that was before we knew that the world turned to shit. I was so upset.
@@bobsmith1723 basically all the restrictions are off now. If you're in Alaska you can use the tunnel. It isn't a border crossing.
@@tawnyschlienz9063 so your mom was on the back, or had her own bike? Anyways as soon as I saw that tunnel and how the train tracks joined the road I thought that would be a bitch riding a bike through. I'm sure that probably was the cause of laying the bike down. I've road across the US many times, up and down east coast, across to the Pacific, rode in the the desert, Black hills, grand canyon, some great riding out there, but Alaska is another level, idk if I could pull that off, not without someone to ride with, those roads are extremely long, and lonely. I just can't imagine riding to this place, just to turn around and go back, I need a destination that I can unpack from a relax a bit before getting back in the saddle. I liked your story, it reminded me of my uncle who is a pilot, and he used to always say, hey so and so cancelled, but I had already made plans to go to Caribbean islands, do you want to go for a weekend? I would be like duhh? Any we would fly in a Piper to FL from here, then island hop eating 100 hamburgers at different airports and seeing some remote island with pirate ships a skiffs on the beaches, stay in air BNB and eat seafood till you had to roll me through the door, then fly back on Sunday, those days when you're in a flying club has those perks of getting million dollar planes for the weekends. After traveling like that you get spoiled, and you want the comfort of the biggest travel bikes made, and the shortest legs possible between stops
They thought you were making a little home video & still went above and beyond with hospitality. Truly lovely people!
What a wonderful treat of a video, and you were blessed to find such kind hosts! Thank you for sharing!
Just watched this video and was so impressed and learned so much about Whittier that I wish I knew when my wife and I passed through the fall of 2017. We were on the final leg of our Alaskan vacation and only stayed in Whittier one night. We had been to northern Canada traveling the Dempster Hwy to Inuvik, NWT and most of Alaska ending up in the Kenai peninsula. We made a last minute decision to return to the US via Whittier and Valdez. We were totally unaware of the tunnel, totally unaware of what kind of a town Whittier was. Any way we made it through the tunnel late in the day, found a restaurant and had a fish dinner (they were getting ready to close for the season so had limited selection of fish). We ended up staying in the city campground (our housing was our truck camper). We watched movies during the evening until about 10pm. It was quite breezy all evening but by the time we were getting ready for bed the wind had picked up considerably. It was so bad that we pulled on our trousers and drove around in the dark to find a spot that was better protected. The next morning we took the ferry to Valdez. I wish this video had been available before our stay in Whittier. I am going to play this video for my wife tonight. I was especially blessed by the ladies prayer and impressed with how friendly the people were.
Whittier is one of my most cherished memories. I lived and worked in Alaska for seven years. My youngest son and I drove from Anchorage to fish the silver salmon run. We arrived an hour before high tide, geared up and began wading into the very end of the Passage Canal. I wore hip waders, and my son wore chest waders. After I could wade no deeper, he continued on. When he finally stopped, he turned and yelled back to me, "Dad, there's hundreds out here, coming right to you." Two silvers swam between my legs at the same time, nearly knocking me over. We caught our limits, cleaned them, and put them on ice. We had several hours before the tunnel closed, so my son suggested we explore the Portage Glacier. Climbing and hiking on it terrified me. There were holes where we could see water rushing beneath the ice. I have felt lucky to have gotten off that ice ever since. We returned to our car to discover a flat tire, which we changed out with the spare. On our drive back to Anchorage, we stopped in Girdwood for supper, then finished our drive home. That was one of the best days of my life. And I don't really enjoy fishing that much. Go figure.
I went to Girdwood/Anchorage with my sons and my grandkids. Best trip of my life.
@@Anita_Backrub Immeasurable good fortune, yes?
@@stevenzerbach6447 Yes!
Great story . I’m sure your son will always remember that memory as well .
What a wonderful memory to have of your trip! Thank you for sharing your story...😊
THis is so cool. 18:30 there is a guy speaking Spanish in the back ground, in the convinience store owned by a Samoan woman, in Alaska, in a bulding that is actually a whole town, where just 250 peeps live in. That place is so unique.
I thought the same thing Like how the heck a Spanish speaking person make his way that north
Oh what joyful, delightful people. I bet it's a very happy place to live. Thanks for going there and sharing this ❣️
Jeanette is so knowledgeable about her building and the area...she seems so sweet and made a great tour guide. What a cute couple... the light switch behind the refrigerator had me laughing out loud. What positive happy people. I wish there were more people and places like this left in the world ! " Peace and Love " ❤ 🦋🌻☮☯️
Janette was the friendliest person ever. If I had a business that needed a person to be a tour lady or a hospitality host I would pick her in a heartbeat
Brought me to tears, what a beautiful person she is
@@shannonberrien2454 Same here!
What beautiful people u met there. I loved watching this. Thank you for opening this part of the world up to me.
That was so unexpected! Remarkable, the different ways that people live! Thanks Peter and Janette!
I started crying before Jeanette even started her prayer. Thank you for touching our souls across countries, oceans and continents. Much love and blessings from Perth, Australia ❤
Islam is the right road
@@at.8972 any religion that believes in a higher power and involves prayer for the good of others us "the right road".
@@vickimeyers2672 no brother there is only one god not multiple
@@at.8972 I respect Muslims but Jesus is the Only Way to eternal Life because the Truth is all have sinned and need God's forgiveness
@@zadkovichraj3246 search more and read about prophet mohammad before its too late
I visited Whittier in 1994 and the visit has stuck with me. At the time the tunnel was just for trains. I remember every moment of the day, the water fall streaming down the mountain from what looked like the back of the building. The building set back by the mountain. A cliff covered with birds. There was a small coffee/bakery shop (I think) and a small gift shop or two. When I got off of the train I had to walk over a bunch of train rails to get to the port and little shops. There were large ravens on the rails that I was pretty sure that they would move when I got closer - they did NOT. I was alone and would have really liked to have met someone like this couple. So happy to learn more about this place that I still think about from time to time. Thank you.
Wow. Just came across the channel and what an amazing introduction. Looking for a place to retire to someday and this was inspiring. And the hosts of the tour - what a dear couple.
I found this video extremely interesting. Jeannette and John are lovely people. Thank you to everyone who worked on this.💖
Watching the store owner describe how her family got there could be invaluable information 150-200 years from now and just makes me so excited for future history lovers. Can you imagine videos like this of people going around 1780s America. It will be just astonishing
Jeanette has won my heart. I truly wish she were my friend. It's always beautiful to see such a Christ filled, accepting, kind heart. Her prayer was so eloquent and I know I would feel blessed if she prayed for me. I'm so glad you covered this lovely little community. I've seen videos on it before and it's sways seemed like a cozy place to be. God Bless.
What a joy watching your video during my lunch break. Joe and Jeanette are amazing human beings, restoring my faith in humanity. Thank you Peter for showing us Whittier.
This is one of the coolest videos ive ever seen. This community serms amazing. Thabks for sharing with us!
Whittier is the strangest, coolest, most beautiful town I’ve ever visited. I’m so glad we booked a glacier tour that departed from here. We had no idea what we were stumbling into. I loved it so much.
Praying in agreement with Jeanette! Peter always shows us the coolest places and introduces us to the coolest down to earth great people! I love what Jennette said in the beginning of the video:. It takes one day to get married and all of your life to stay married! Beautiful faith filled couple.
"Faith filled"? They don't follow their own Bible. You do know that as per 1 Corinthians 7, women cannot hug or pray with guys who aren't family members? Extramarital physical contact is prohibited. Just imagine if her HUSBAND hugged and "prayed" with a 30 year old Samoan lady. Would you call that "fatherly"? No, you wouldn't. It would be disrespectful (to his spouse) and rightfully so.
@@blake9668 you're very smug and judgemental. Are you a perfect Christian? She was motherly toward Peter. Tisk, tisk, you must scour YT comments looking for people to give your sour disapproval to. Maybe if you pulled the pole out of your ass that's been holding you up, you wouldn't be so miserable and judgemental.
Also praying in agreement with Jeanette. She is so precious. They are a beautiful faith filled couple and his marriage advice was good! We love Peter and his videos. Blessings on you Peter!
@@blake9668 that is your own interpretation of the Bible's words.
I really appreciate this video, I came to Whittier for embarkation of princess sapphire this past summer. I remember seeing this building, just trying to imagine how an entire town could live in one building, well you answered it for me. It’s a close knit community with it’s own quirks, a place where a special few call home.
I was so blessed watching this, the prayer was such a huge blessing. I’ve watched it more than once.
Amen i am happy there are Christians people around the World
So heart warming, Jeanette is so sweet and wise. Her husband so nice and down to earth. The lady in the shop spoke so motherly, can't explain why, but it felt wise and comforting. I believe that it is a virtue to learn, to work and to have an accepting mind, maybe thst is what makes me feel connected. May the Lord be with these people and protect them.
Millie is all that!! She is so very very sweet. If you don't have money or even enough money, she will give you what you bought and throw in extra.
Amen!!! Hallelujah God bless you tooo!
Honestly your videos give me hope for humanity. Because of social media being the way it is we always see the most scummy horrible people getting all the attention. We don't get to see wonderful sweet people like this couple. You run into some of the most down-to-earth kind folks and it makes me realize there are good people in this world.
Gives me hope for watching youtube. Lol. Yes, I've questioned if it's a good idea to flood myself with what's on KZhead every day. A lot of it over time just doesn't seem good for someone.
Hope, only freaks here? Why are you not out on the streets? remove Putin now, why russians need hate?
I loved your prayer for Peter. Bless you!
Such a cool place!! Joe and Jeanette seem like the sweetest people! Another great place to visit!!
This happened to come up on my feed, and I'm so glad it did. What a wonderful couple you met to show us around, she made it so interresting with all the information about the building, the people, just everything. And they have their own little school and store! I'm just so amazed at all of it. What a nice surprise for me and the other 5 million people that watched this little tour! I've subscribed as well!
This also came on my feed, I just sub as well!!
Yeah! The vibe of this video felt really homey. I don't want to wade into 400 replies to Jeanette & Joe's comment above, but "We thought your neighbors back home in Vermont would get really tired of this 'home movie'" -- I mean I'm not gonna say I watched it all the way through to the end, but it gave the kind of feel that I couldn't get from a typical info-based piece or documentary. It felt like being invited inside, and I appreciated that. In such a rush-everywhere age, it's refreshing to take a little time to appreciate the details of a place I'll never get the chance to visit personally.
These people are so kind and wholesome. It’s so beautiful to see so many walks of life come together in a community like this, all supporting each other in all the ways they can ;-;
Lol people tend to be a lot nicer in front of a camera. They aren't any nicer than anybody else, and can be gruff, let's say.
I l9ved watching this video. I wanted to know more about the jail .
For the most part, in my 40+ yrs in AK, people are nice and helpful too!
@@floridaman318bro how did this comment hit such a nerve that you felt the need to say thisa
Oh, the times I have cried with the stories and the beautiful, kind people you find along your way. What an excellent job you do, Peter, documenting all those places ❤
This was an amazing video! Such lovely people you met while there. I love it.
Your kindness and respect for the people you interview is just palpable, and in this age of cruelty, hatred and division, is just a tonic for the soul. Bless you!
Peter, i can’t imagine the level of effort and time that must go into these videos. You are such a respectful and humble dude. You deserve every bit of success that you get. Thanks for bringing us this consistently awesome content!
Thanks Steve! It takes a team and I couldn't produce videos like this without my wife Natalia who edits, my assistant Kymberly who sets up most of these shoots, and Evan who does the subtitles.
@@PeterSantenello All MVP's
24:03 beautiful prayer 🙏 very Respectful
What about medical? Hospital??
This has to be one of my favourite videos I've seen you do, Jeanette is awesome and her husband is hilarious!!
Peter your videos are so amazing and educational. I love that you are never judgemental....just a good listener. Praying for your safety as you travel
I do HVAC on cruise ships and stayed in the building with my coworkers before boarding a ship. Such a cool town! All the locals were extremely friendly and welcoming.
How much does it pay doing hvac on cruise ships? How long do you stay on cruise ship? Do they give you free room and food on cruise ships?
Can u get me a job?! I have my epa cert collecting dust
Do they have a dungeon for crooks?
@@ninjavibez4696 you don’t do service calls?
@@johndoe-wt4ui it pays semi decent. And we are usually on a ship for a week or 2 then home for a couple weeks and into another. I leave tomorrow for another job in Alaska. And yes free room and food of corse
As a lifelong born and raised Alaskan, I love Whittier. It’s such a unique and historic place with amazing people. Keep traveling Alaska.
Hello ! As a person who is born and raised in Alaska, do you have recommandations about towns or things to visit here ? Maybe documentaire also ? I'm very interested by Alaska and I want to travel here one day !
@@sosso6606 Yes! I'd recommend Denali, Alaska, there's lots to see there, or you can whitewater raft. Also going down to Seward, Alaska and Homer, Alaska, both fishing towns. Seward you can take the Kenai Fjords tour to see wildlife and be on the ocean, and it has the Sea Life Center (basically a MUST STOP thing to go do. :) )and in Homer you can take halibut fishing/other types of fish fishing charters. On the way to Homer, there's the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, also a place you have to go visit at least once, if not every time. :) Fairbanks, Alaska has the Chena Hotsprings, very nice spot for relaxation. If you visit there in the winter (Oct-March) you have chances to see the northern lights. But my most recommended time to visit is definitely summer. There are much more activities to do. You can always also research things to do up here, there's so many pages and websites with all sorts of ideas and how to do them. Also all of these places are accessible by car, and it's a beautiful drive all the way around the state! I hope you love your visit when you come!
I would like to take a cruise there.
@@user-wh5ir4fo4r you should! :)
I'm from Sweden, I would like to visit Alaska someday. It feels like Alaska is another country from the US and I mean that in a good way! 😄
Awesome story, really big fan of your work.. Love your respect for people and not least letting them be themselves..
This was so enjoyable to watch.Thank you for sharing.😊
Growing up in that place as a kid and exploring all the maintenance tunnels and stuff has got to be a blast.
You know what was surely more of a blast? Growing up in Hiroshima during the early 1940s ahahahahahahahahahahaha 💣💥😵😵😵 hahahahahahahahahahahaha
The building reminds me of the movie 'Shining'. 😅
The couple in the video were really lovely and makes part of the experience something to remember for years. However, what struck me a lot is that even in this very remote part of the US you find people from Samoa, Poland, The Philippines, Ukraine and I even heard people speaking in Spanish while Peter was talking to that Samoan lady. It really shows that even in the most remotest part US is a really diverse country. Even though I am not an American but Peter's videos are making me know a lot about US and appreciate how beautiful and diverse this country truly is.
We have our problems but the USA is the best place in the world to be. Thank you for your interest maybe you can visit our country and see first hand what it like
Come to Chicago, it’s beautiful if you live on the Southside!
@@jamesmatthews2966 that’s false with our terrible judicial, health and education systems
Alaska is a lot more diverse than most states, remote or otherwise.
Has there ever been a murder in this town?
Amazing place! Just loved it for so many reasons. Isolated yet so lively. Isolated with happy souls inside. Isolated but music goes on in there. Thanks 🙏
I just watched this episode, amazing story. I loved the lady praying for you. I appreciate you didn't edit it❤