The Abandoned: conch

Friday, April 8, 2011

Conch Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

This picture was taken back behind the kitchen area in the woods surrounding The Abandoned. Last Spring Sissy and I went for many long walks--I am looking forward to seeing her soon for one of those lovely long walks. This will be the first time this Spring! I'm so excited.

There are several hearts in this photograph, can you find them?

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Conch Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

One never knows what oddity one might find in the grounds surrounding The Abandoned. Here I found a heart artfully etched on the surface of a moss-covered conch.

For more wonderful hearts visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

GUEST HEART THURSDAY

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.