The Abandoned: suspended

Monday, September 27, 2010

Suspended

As we walk through The Abandoned one can be startled by the whiffle of owl wings, or the sight of a neglected curtain swinging in the breeze. This curtain was suspended like this for years until one day vandals tore it from it's perch in the air.

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

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Suspended - Weekend Reflections

Along long darkened hallways within The Abandoned, one can sometimes catch a glimpse of unexpected beauty. In a slotted window looking into the place where children once played, I caught this suspended piece of broken glass glowing in the sunlight. Unexpected it was in that dark place. One didn't expect sunlight to come slipping in through the shattered windows above.

For more incredible photos of reflections around the world, visit Weekend Reflections.

NOTE: If you intend to visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owners first. If you do not have permission and are caught, you will 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.