The Abandoned: January 2011

Friday, January 14, 2011

Johnny's Got Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Last Spring Johnny Jump Ups were resplendent throughout the woods surrounding The Abandoned. Neither Sissy nor I had ever seen so many of them in one place before--these cheerful flowers literally carpeted the forest floor. It is a part of the magic of this place. One never knows what unexpected beauty one might find!

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, you will need permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Monday, January 10, 2011

March of the Mushrooms

In our wanderings through the spectacular grounds of The Abandoned last Spring, Sissy and I found this March of the Mushrooms along an old decayed stump.

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the current owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Oak Leaf Heart in The Abandoned - Guest Heart Thursday

Last summer, walking with my sister in The Abandoned, I caught this heart shaped opening in the overshadowing oak trees. I haven't been able to walk there for some time--I hear there has been some clean up going on in The Abandoned. I look forward to posting shots of its new look. I imagine such a wonderfully magic place will respond to any efforts to clean and use the place. It will always be a magical place to me.

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

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.