The Abandoned: hand

Friday, March 28, 2014

Heart in Hand -Guest Heart Thursday

There are more hearts here to be found, than just that in the center of the hand. This wall is long gone--just an echo of memory now.

I still love the colors and odd enchantment to be found in this photo.

Have a lovely day and Happy 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.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Heart in Hand - Guest Heart Thursday

Walking in The Abandoned this past Monday, I was struck anew by the interesting artwork scurried upon the walls. The hand above was part of a larger wall of hand prints by vandals, who had found paint in one of the closets. As you can see there is a heart in this hand.

Two more heart hands in this wondrous eclectically mashed mesh of color.

Here is a larger view of the wall with all those hand prints. You can find it on the hallway just outside the main auditorium.

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.

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.