Portage ghost town was a settlement community in Turnagain Arm in Alaska, United States. Situated in rural Alaska, the town gained popularity when a railroad passed through the region. A small community was formed around the railroad that would later be abandoned when an earthquake strike turned the town upside down. 

History of Portage

Portage existence began in the early 1900s when Andrew Christensen established an Anchorage along the Alaska railroad that passed through the town. Armed with loans and life savings, Andrew laid down streets and lots in the area which he sold to the settlers. Alaska railroad also contributed to the increasing population as it brought people in and out of the town at least once a day every day. This did not only made trade easier for the locals but also made the lives of the locals cheaper. There was no permanent housing at the early stages of the town’s existence. The name “Portage” came from a local known store that was situated at the center of the town. 

The decline of the community

In 1964, at around 5:30 in the evening, the town of Portage was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 9.2. This was the second strongest earthquake that ever occurred in the whole of Alaska. Lasting for 5 minutes, the earthquake turned Portage upside down. Permanent buildings collapsed, farmlands buried in sinkholes, and other areas uplifted about 30 feet from their original latitude. By the end of the waves, a total of 140 lives had been lost and buried in the collapsed buildings. Since the damages at the town were too much to be restored, those who were lucky to survive relocated and never looked back at the town they once called home. 

The current state of the townsite

Portage is now decommissioned and has been converted into a recreational park for families and friends to explore. Walking through town, all one sees are collapsed buildings and uprooted trees that refuse to give up and continue to grow. Several channels and streams were not initially, now flowing in the various valleys left behind by the earthquake. According to assessments, the town is safe from future earthquakes and may never experience another earthquake of the magnitude that it experienced in the past. The state of Alaska manages the townsite. On top of offering tours to the visitors, they have set up picnic tables, camping grounds, fishing areas, bicycle riding areas, and trails. Safety of visitors is taken seriously by the local management, they do not allow visitors to tour the town without a tour guide or company. Visitors are also encouraged to be on the lookout when exploring the town.