The Abandoned: Mystery

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Mysterious Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

I took this photo last spring. Though buildings of The Abandoned are gone, there is still the forest of my childhood. It is a small, mysterious pocket of wild wood, which seems filled with ancient enchantments. If one listens close enough, one might hear the laughter of children and the song of faeries.

If you look closely, there are hearts hidden everywhere.

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

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Field of Daisies - Dark Mysteries

Sissy and I often walk the grounds around and near The Abandoned. In early Summer the fields are filled with pungent daisies almost as far as the eye can see.

In places the cheerful smile of the Daisy is contrasted against a mysterious and sometimes forbidding outline. One is reminded of hidden mysteries, darkened rooms and underground tunnels going nowhere in particular.

But you have to admit--there's practically nothing as happy, or as cheerful, as a field of Daisies!

NOTE: If you intend to visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owners first. If you do not have permission, you may be arrested and prosecuted 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.