Episode 407 - Alaska's Cold War Fortress - The Buckner Building

This text explores the history of the Buckner Building in Whittier, Alaska, a massive, abandoned structure built by the US military in the early 1950s during the Cold War. Its immense size and self-contained design were intended to house a large battalion of soldiers and provide all necessary amenities under one roof, a strategic choice due to the region's harsh weather conditions. The building was a crucial part of America's defence strategy, facilitating the movement of troops and supplies through Whittier's ice-free port to support radar stations in Alaska that were vital for detecting potential Soviet aerial attacks. Although the building became obsolete with the advent of intercontinental ballistic missiles and was abandoned in the 1960s, its robust construction allowed it to survive the devastating 1964 Alaska earthquake, standing today as a testament to its original purpose and engineering.


Source :

Science Channel

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