It’s incredible how quickly nature can take over a place and make it disappear without a trace. Alaska is a big state and there are many places where nature has taken back her land from former occupants and turned it into her own again. There are many abandoned gold mines and bases located around that state that now simply cease to exist. Maybe you’ve stumbled across the remains of an old mining town or army base during your wilderness adventures. Take in those places and imagine the life that used to exist there, it is a magical and eerie feeling to know how small we really all are. Here are several places from around the state, some well known, some not, that are currently abandoned or have been in the past for a decent amount of time. Enjoy and don’t be too creeped out; abandoned buildings are naturally spooky to people, but the history is appealing enough to draw you in anyway.
- Buckner Building, Whittier
Lawrence’s Lenses | Flickr Buckner Building is well known amongst Alaskans as a HUGE abandoned building with winding halls and various rooms. Many people believe it would be a great place for a horror film. The City of Whittier had to put up fences around the property to deter trespassing. It is still a magnificent place to walk past, but don’t get caught on the inside!
- Adak Underground Hospital
Paxson Woelber | Flickr Occupied during World War II, this abandoned facility is NOT safe to enter. The hospital, along with several other underground constructions, were built in anticipation of enemy air strikes.
- Abandoned Boat House, Homer
Alaska.org Website As you travel down the Homer Spit you will pass multiple abandoned ships, some of which were once dwellings, that are now being claimed again by nature.
- Barabara & Cache at Tom’s Bay
University of Alaska Anchorage Archives & Manuscripts Dept. In the far reaches of Western Alaska in Tom’s Bay near Naknek Island there is an abandoned barabara and cache dwelling that was once inhabited by Alaskan Natives.
- Utica and Fink Creek
Sir Mildred Pierce | Flickr These two mining towns are relatively close to one another and were used between 1910-1940 before being abandoned and returned to mother nature.
- Speel River
Joseph | Flickr Speel River is an abandoned Pulp Mill in Port Snettisham. The town is only accessibly by boat and plane, and the landing strip is all that remains maintained.
- King Island
Wikipedia/Captain Budd Christman NOAA Corps A true abandoned ghost town, King Island is home to a crumbling village on the face of the island. Once occupied by nearly 200 people, this town is now being reclaimed by nature and is quite the sight to see.
There are surely many more abandoned places. Share your favorites in the comments.
Lawrence’s Lenses | Flickr
Buckner Building is well known amongst Alaskans as a HUGE abandoned building with winding halls and various rooms. Many people believe it would be a great place for a horror film. The City of Whittier had to put up fences around the property to deter trespassing. It is still a magnificent place to walk past, but don’t get caught on the inside!
Paxson Woelber | Flickr
Occupied during World War II, this abandoned facility is NOT safe to enter. The hospital, along with several other underground constructions, were built in anticipation of enemy air strikes.
Alaska.org Website
As you travel down the Homer Spit you will pass multiple abandoned ships, some of which were once dwellings, that are now being claimed again by nature.
University of Alaska Anchorage Archives & Manuscripts Dept.
In the far reaches of Western Alaska in Tom’s Bay near Naknek Island there is an abandoned barabara and cache dwelling that was once inhabited by Alaskan Natives.
Sir Mildred Pierce | Flickr
These two mining towns are relatively close to one another and were used between 1910-1940 before being abandoned and returned to mother nature.
Joseph | Flickr
Speel River is an abandoned Pulp Mill in Port Snettisham. The town is only accessibly by boat and plane, and the landing strip is all that remains maintained.
Wikipedia/Captain Budd Christman NOAA Corps
A true abandoned ghost town, King Island is home to a crumbling village on the face of the island. Once occupied by nearly 200 people, this town is now being reclaimed by nature and is quite the sight to see.
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