The Abandoned: danger

Friday, October 22, 2010

Shards - Weekend Reflections

One never knows what one may see, or find--or what dangers one might step into when roaming The Abandoned. I thought this photo was striking. Here vandals have broken out windows, leaving behind sharp shards, delicately suspended. A dangerous obstacle to those who slip through these buildings in the dark of night. An accident waiting to happen.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

WARNING: Anyone wishing to visit The Abandoned, must have permission from the owners.

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.