The Abandoned: December 2013

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Sparkle Dewdrop Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I took this picture on one of my walks through The Abandoned with my darling Sister a few summers ago. The sparkle at the bottom of the heart seemed magical to me. When I found it again just now--the magic of that place still has power.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Pretty Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

Just before the destruction of The Abandoned, we found a plethora of hearts had been added in the Swimming Pool area. How they were able to get up along that wall is a mystery to me. It sure made for a pretty picture!

Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Another Rubble Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Curiously the last time I was in The Abandoned I could still find hearts in the rubble.

Indeed rubble is all that's left of The Abandoned. Since this picture was taken these chunks are now just pea gravel! One can find the neatest agates and rocks in those piles.

Happy Guest Heart Thursday and have a good day!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

The Abandoned

Years ago, I dedicated this blog to The Abandoned, a huge complex of abandoned buildings in rural Oregon.

Surrounded by wetlands and old growth timber, The Callahan Center was built in the 1970's by the State of Oregon as a rehabilitation center for people recovering from injuries on the job.

In 1992, the property was bought by a mega church. However, the Living Enrichment Center closed in 2004, amidst financial scandal and the property was abandoned.

The buildings stood empty for many years. Over that span the property was vandalized and looted. Yet the beauty of its rare architecture shone through the shambles of abuse and disrepair.

In the summer of 2013, the complex was completely demolished. We were all sad to see the buildings go, but because of trespassers and vandals, it was necessary to take them down.

The area where The Abandoned once stood is filled with $500,000 mushroom houses (homes built so fast they pop up like mushrooms) built on postage stamp lots. There are sidewalks and tall lamps where I once watched the foxes of the field leaping above the grass, hunting rodents.

The surrounding woodlands still survive. It is my prayer the wetlands and forests with their pristine creeks, native trees and flowers, as well as the wildlife which shelter there, will be protected.