The Abandoned: Under Glass - Weekend Reflections

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Under Glass - Weekend Reflections

This looks like an underwater shot complete with seaweed! However, this is actually a tiny piece of broken glass no bigger than my thumb, pressed against the moss where it had fallen. I thought it perfect for Weekend Reflections.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, without permission from the owners, or the caretaker, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

2 comments:

'Tsuki said...: Extraordinary shot, Beth... I just live it, really ! The piece of glass gives a rare impression of motion to the whole picture, that is so strange and so pretty at the same time...

Well done !; June 13, 2011 at 4:39 AM
Clytie said...: I love what Tsuki said ... it really does give an impression of motion! No wonder it looks like an undersea garden!; June 15, 2011 at 5:27 PM

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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.