Old Town Valdez

Many folks remember the town of Valdez as being the site of the big oil spill in 1989.   Well, 25 years before that, on Good Friday, 1964, a huge 9.2 earthquake occurred about 45 miles from Valdez.  It was the second largest earthquake in recorded history.  Being so close to the epicenter of the quake, the town of Valdez was literally wiped off the map by the subsequent tsunami, due to an underwater landslide, and 30 people lost their lives.  When the town was rebuilt, it was rebuilt further down the shore, and the original town site was left in ruin.  They have marked off certain parts of town in an open grass area and I captured what I could to just reflect on the history and sorrow of what happened on that day.

 

This is a view of New Valdez from the town site of Old Valdez.  The green growth speaks to the idea of rebirth, both in land and in human spirit.

 

This site was identified as “Village Morgue Bar and Liquor Store”.  The building was actually out on the pilings that remain.  It’s one of the few tangible remnants that still exist.  I’m not certain about the name, tho – was it a morgue, bar and liquor store, or was that someone’s clever name back in the 1950s and early 1960s?  Nothing remains that explains the name, and I choose to see it as a light moment in this somber memory.

 

The Standard Oil Tank Farm burned for several days after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.  This is the way that fiery site looks today.  Fire seems to be the last thing you’d think of engulfing this site now.

 

And, finally, I couldn’t resist ending with a focus on rebirth and regeneration.  Beautiful fireweed growing on another part of the Old Valdez town site.

Enjoy!