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Igloo City Alaska

Igloo City Alaska is a roadside attraction located on the Alaskan George Parks Highway. When in Alaska you can’t help but stop to photograph Igloo City. It is located 20 miles from Cantwell, Alaska.

Igloo City Alaska is a small, four story structure that was built to be a hotel. It is made of concrete, not ice. Igloo City Alaska can be scene from the air when flying over the area. It is an abandoned building now and is slowly deteriorating due to the weather and vandalism. At the time of this photograph the gas pumps and sign “Igloo” were still standing near the structure.

I have stopped and photographed Igloo City Alaska twice. The first time I was there in 1997 on a drive to Alaska an airplane was parked at the gas pump and was filling up with fuel.

Rumor has it that Igloo City Alaska was built in the 1970′s but was never opened for business due to building codes. Different individuals have owned the building but nobody was ever able to open it for business.

When you look at the Igloo City Alaska structure you can’t help but wonder what might have been. If things had turned out differently you can envision a hotel where travelers come from around the world stop to stay in an Igloo shaped hotel. A busy gas station and store with souvenirs for visitors to purchase gifts to take home. An RV resort and camping area where the visitors on there way to Denali National Park and Preserve could stop and stay for the evening. Perhaps a long runway for small airplanes to stop and fuel up on flights into the Interior of Alaska.

I am sure this is what the original builders of Igloo City Alaska had in mind. But instead Igloo City Alaska is just another example of an interesting idea that just didn’t work out.