The Abandoned: June 2013

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Piles of Rubble -Guest Heart Thursday

When I visit the old Home place, I can hear the rock biters crunching and crumbling all that is left of The Abandoned. I will miss this place -- There is still magic in the forests, but I wonder how long that will last with the huge housing development which will grow here. Will people be careful of the woods and the intricate delicate beauty to be found there?

It is beautiful to note, if one looks closely, one can still find a heart in The Abandoned.

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

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Lonely Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I found this lonely heart placed beneath the window on the second floor of the main building. This area no longer exists. The entire complex has been reduced to a field of rubble.

I haven't seen it up close yet. It is so odd to look over where the buildings once stood and see a clear, clean skyline. I remember when The Abandoned was built. I remember the workers pouring the cement walls. I remember feeling so sad at that time--because they'd made my beloved meadow into a cold giant hillside. I missed seeing the foxes play and the birds that came there to nest.

Now I am sad to see this magical place compacted into dust. Strange isn't it?

Soon over 400 homes will be built where this place once stood. Progress, I suppose.

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

Friday, June 7, 2013

Hanging Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

The last time I visited my parents' place--located across the street from The Abandoned, I noticed this colorful towel drying in the sunshine. It brought back memories of helping Mom hang out the wash, when I was a little girl. There's nothing like the wonderful aroma of air dried laundry. MMmmmMmmm!

And just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

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

Monday, June 3, 2013

A Shadow of Myself

How grateful I am for sunshine. Last winter held way too many gray days. The flowers are blooming and summer seems to be on her way.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

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.