Alaska 1964 Earthquake - rare pictures tell the horrific story of the destruction in Anchorage caused by the 9.2 quake that lasted 5 minutes.

Alaska 1964 Earthquake in Pictures -

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The following pictures are from Donald Cutler

These photos were taken by Donald Cutler's mother following the 1964 earthquake

The following Pictures were taken by Helen Bucy

Club Paris and Rexall Drugs after the quake

across from the JC Penney building in Anchorage, Alaska

These black and white photos taken by Helen Bucy of the destruction caused in Anchorage by the Alaska 1964 earthquake have an almost haunting quality about them.

It seems that no matter how many pictures and videos of the earthquake we see over the years, we can still be amazed by the sheer force of nature as captured by those who experienced that Good Friday earthquake.

The Turnagain area of Anchorage

J C Penney Building after the 1964 quake

The book below was written by a then teenage girl who was in the JC Penney building when the quake struck and is her story of survival. A short, must read.

Seeing these homes gives us a closer look at what the residents of Turnagain went through.

And, when you read the stories of the Great Alaskan Earthquake here on Anchorage Memories, you get just an idea of what it must have been like for those of us who survived.

Downtown Anchorage

Fourth Avenue, Anchorage

The following pictures were taken by Diane S. Smith

Amazing scenes of buildings that were once home to residents of Anchorage.

And a reminder of the incredible force generated by the 9.2 earthquake.

The Four Seasons Hotel was still under construction when the quake struck

Alaska 1964 Earthquake

These color pictures by Diane S. Smith of the destruction in and around Anchorage, caused by the Good Friday earthquake, are a look we don't often see.

Homes pushed from their foundations, businesses completely destroyed, lives forever changed.

The Book Cache, downtown

The following pictures were taken by Starr Judkins Lane

Fourth Avenue downtown

Over the years, we've seen a number of photographs taken of the damage and destruction on 4th Avenue in Anchorage following the 1964 earthquake, but these pictures by Starr Judkins Lane give us a different look.

After our 5 minute earthquake had ended, those strong, hard after shocks continued - and "Our Town" would never be the same.

The original Denali Theater on Fourth Avenue

the marquee was saved and later used at the new Spenard location

Fourth Avenue Anchorage, Alaska

Long before it's Spenard location, Anchorage's Denali Theater was located in downtown Anchorage on 4th Avenue.

And as you can see by the 2 pictures above - during that powerful earthquake, the theater sunk all the way down to it's Marquee

A sad sight for those of us who had so many fun memories of seeing so many movies in that famed theater downtown.

Do you have pictures you took of Anchorage following the Alaska 1964 earthquake?

If you do, we would love to include them on this page. And we are happy to include your name as the photographer.

To have your pictures included on Anchorage Memories, contact us right here and we'll tell you how (it's so easy).

A Personal Note:

Both Mary and I (Mike) of Anchorage Memories are survivors of the Alaska 1964 earthquake so vividly portrayed in the photos seen on this page.

And while my experience was terrifying and one that I will never forget, Mary is blessed to have survived her horrifying ordeal.

For both of us, like many of you, it's sometimes hard to look at the pictures you've just seen above, but a necessary reminder for not only those of us who survived that never-to-be-forgotten Good Friday, but for those who did not experience this profound and powerful quake.

So, with tear filled eyes, I say this - we hope and pray that no one ever has to experience a 9.2 earthquake and live with it for the rest of their lives like Mary and I and so many of you have.

Thank you

Mary and Mike