The Abandoned: Where the Shadow People Live

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Where the Shadow People Live

There are shadow people who live in The Abandoned. I have not seen them myself, but I have felt them slipping through the darkness as Sissy and I walk through the buildings.

I was not surprised, when going through my photos, to discover a shadow person lurking in that dark hallway--Oh! Phew! It's just Sissy, the Artist. She's no doubt taking an incredible shot at that moment!

Check out Harriet's blog for more wonderful shadowy photography at Shadow Shot Sunday.

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.

3 comments:

Magical Mystical Teacher said...: You see them slipping
into glass-littered corners—
the Shadow People.

Shadowy Grapevine

What a totally amazing idea: dedicating a blog to an abandoned building! I look forward to seeing and reading more!; July 11, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Clytie said...: Beware ... the ... shadow ... people ... especially if they look ... like ME!!! Tee hee!

I have seen and felt the shadow people at this place. It sounds weird, and if I heard someone else say it I would laugh. I'm not laughing now.; July 12, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Gemma Wiseman said...: The shadows over strange, abandoned shapes create quite a haunting effect! Great photos!; July 16, 2010 at 1:07 PM

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.