Great Alaska Earthquake photograph collection, March 27, 1964
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Great Alaska Earthquake photograph collection
- Dates
- March 27, 1964 (inclusive)1964032719640327
- Quantity
- 28 photographic prints (various sizes) in 1 box
- Collection Number
- PH0847
- Summary
- Photographs of the damage caused by the Great Alaska Earthquake, primarily in Anchorage, as well as in Portage, Seward, and Whittier
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical Background
Called alternately the Good Friday Earthquake or the Great Alaska Earthquake, the earthquake that shook Alaska on Friday, March 27, 1964 was the most powerful recorded earthquake in North American history. The five minute-long earthquake caused extensive damage due to ground failure, landslides, and a tsunami. The earthquake and the effects it produced was directly responsible for 115 deaths. This relatively low number can be attributed to the sparse population of the area and the fact that the quake occurred when most people were at home.
Anchorage, 75 miles northwest of the quake's epicenter, sustained severe damage. Building facades crashed into the street and sections of Fourth Avenue dropped down over 10 feet. About 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial buildings were damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Some schools were almost decimated. An area of about 130 acres was devastated when the ground collapsed and tilted at all angles and a landslide destroyed about 75 houses. Water mains and gas, sewer, telephone, and electrical systems were disrupted through the area. Earthquake damage was heavy in many other towns, including Chitina, Glennallen, Homer, Hope, Kasilof, Kenai, Kodiak, Moose Pass, Portage, Seldovia, Seward, Sterling, Valdez, Wasilla, and Whitter.
Content Description
Photographs of the damage caused by the Great Alaska Earthquake primarily in Anchorage, as well as in Portage, Seward, and Whittier.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Downtown Anchorage
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Description: Collapse of Fourth Avenue near C StreetU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)
Fourth Avenue subsided 11 feet from its former level. Image shows the D&D Bar and Café, the Sportsman's Arcade, the Frisco Bar & Café, the Pawn Shop, the Scandinavian Club Bar, and Sam's Liquor Store.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1 -
Description: Fourth Avenue collapse from the opposite sideU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)
Image shows Mac's Foto-Cameras, the Frisco Bar & Café, The Sportsman's Arcade, the D&D Bar and Café, Pioneer Loans, Koslosky's Store for men, and the Hobby store. The tall building in the distance is the Anchorage-Westward Hotel.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2 -
Description: View up Fourth Avenue collapse showing a music store, the Hobby store and Koslosky's Store for MenU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3
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Description: Man crawling out from front of the Denali Theater and Restaurant on Fourth AvenueAnchorage Times (photographer)
The Denali Restaurant dropped below street level.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4 -
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5
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Description: Collapsed Four Seasons Apartment building
The Four Seasons Apartment building was under construction at the time of the earthquake. The reinforced concrete stairwell and combined elevator core fractured at the first floor and toppled over onto the rubble of the other six floors and roof. Fortunately, there were no casualties, as the construction workers had left the building 35 minutes before the earthquake.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 6 -
Description: Crane and men in front of the J.C. Penny store
Following the earthquake, this building was completely razed and a new, larger building was built.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 7
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Anchorage and Vicinity
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Description: Damage to the Government Hill Elementary School
Showing the difference between the former ground level--the higher part of the building--and the new ground level of the south wing where it sank.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 8 -
Description: Wreckage of buildings destroyed in area between 3rd and 4th Avenues
The tall building on the left is the Anchorage-Westward Hotel. The smaller building to its right is the Turnagain Arms Apartments.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 9 -
Description: Cracks in 8th Avenue and L Street
The building in the upper left served as emergency facilities following the earthquake
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 10 -
Description: Automobiles and houses near the collapsed section of L or N streetU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 11
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Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 12
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Description: Apartment buildings near the L Street collapseDates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 13
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Description: Woman standing in the doorway of a damaged house in the Turnagain neighborhoodU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)
The house and swing set in the upper right stands at the original ground level.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 14 -
Description: Two cars in a collapsed section of street in the Turnagain neighborhoodU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 15
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Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 16
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Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 17
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Description: Wreckage in the waterfront area of the Turnagain neighborhoodU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 18
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Description: Damaged street and building, possibly in the Turnagain areaU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 19
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Description: Cracked streets, possibly in the Turnagain areaDates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 20-21
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Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 22
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Description: Car under a collapsed buildingDates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 23
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Elsewhere in Alaska
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Description: Ruins of the Portage Inn and cracks in the ground at PortageU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 24
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Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 25
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Description: Collapsed Twentymile River bridge on Seward Highway near the Turnagain Arm on Cook InletU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (photographer)
The bridge fell into the river and some of the wood piles were driven through the reinforced concrete deck.
Dates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 26 -
Description: Damaged storage tanks, possibly near WhittierDates: March 27, 1964Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 27-28
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Alaska Earthquake, Alaska, 1964--Photographs
- Buildings--Earthquake effects--Alaska--Anchorage--Photographs
- Elevated highways--Earthquake effects--Alaska--Photographs
- Streets--Earthquake effects--Alaska--Anchorage--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
