I Saw the School Split in Half

by Jack Schott
(Inverness Florida USA)

Government Hill Elementary School

I was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base at the time of the quake.

I was just outside the gate on Government Hill at a drug store picking up a few things. I started to feel a shaking and all of a sudden things were falling off the shelves.

I didn’t know what was going on as I had never experienced anything like that before!

Someone hollered earthquake and everyone ran for the door. When I got out in the parking lot, the ground was really shaking and the car’s that were parked there were being thrown around. All I could do was kneel down so I didn’t fall.

I looked across the road just in time to see the Government Hill Elementary School split in half and drop down into the ground. Thank God it was a holiday and the School was closed.

The water tower up the street was swaying back and forth but never fell over.

It was an experience I will never forget and hope I never have to go through it again.


A Note from Anchorage Memories

Jack:

Your story reminds us why all of us who experienced the 1964 Great Alaskan Earthquake were fortunate that it took place on the Good Friday holiday. Imagine how many children may have been injured or worse when the Government Hill Elementary school split in half.

And we remember the damage at West High School that sent desks tumbling out of the building.

Thank you for your fascinating first hand account of the earthquake from Government Hill.

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