The Abandoned: Chipped Stump Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Chipped Stump Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

The Abandoned has so many surprises--here you see a chipped heart in this stump. The stump was a tree which was cut down in order to clear the forests here. Though I understand why this is necessary--it is always hard for me to think of cutting down a tree.

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

WARNING: You shouldn't visit The Abandoned without permission from the owner or caretaker. If you do, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

2 comments:

Clytie said...: I too find it difficult to see trees being cut down ... although I do understand why it sometimes is done.

I love this chipped stump heart - good eye for seeing it! I love how you took something sad and made it beautiful!; June 7, 2012 at 8:48 AM
Laurie said...: Poor tree, Beth. Most upsetting!; June 9, 2012 at 12:03 AM

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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.