The Abandoned: Beauty in The Abandoned

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Beauty in The Abandoned

There are new owners who are evaluating the property and buildings of The Abandoned! They were in a meeting as Sissy and I made our rounds. I hope they will undo what the previous owners have allowed here. This is a decidedly exciting development!

I thought the 15 mph sign was interesting with the kitchen area of The Abandoned in view.

I don't know that I've ever seen a pink Queen Anne's Lace flower before. I loved this picture--it almost seems magical to me.

Near the grounds of The Abandoned we found this ancient maple tree. It is massive.

I am sure it was here, growing green and strong, when the Union fought the South in America's Civil War, maybe even before that. I am in awe of its sheer size and age.

We found the fire bush in bloom. What lovely blossoms! It is so interesting to find such contrasts of beauty and ugliness all in one place. Today I have concentrated upon the mostly beautiful side of The Abandoned.

NOTE: If you intend to visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owners first. If you do not have permission, you may be arrested and prosecuted for trespassing.

1 comment:

Clytie said...: Ooooooh! I love your fire bush! I also had never seen a pink QAL before ... must be something in the water? What a fun, if short, walk we had!; July 21, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Post a Comment

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.