The Abandoned: Mossy Stump Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Mossy Stump Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

The last time we walked in The Abandon, Sissy and I found lots and lots of hearts--this one in the top of a moss-covered stump, was the prettiest, I thought. I am sure faeries must live nearby.

I loved the angle of heart curling up onto the wall. It is an eye bender!

Somehow the vandals have found their way back up onto the rooftop. But I didn't mind this cheerful blue heart. I am enamored with many of the incredible graffiti art pieces found in and on these buildings.

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.

1 comment:

Clytie said...: Wow, they really are incredible aren't they? But most of all I love the mossy stump heart. Not only must fairies live nearby ... I think this must be their fortress!!!; September 20, 2012 at 10:18 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.