Abandoned Places

Rancho Palos Verdes House #2

The hesitance that I had about going to this house was that it was possibly still being lived in. As we looked around the place, it became apparent that despite the frantic attempts to prepare the house for a move, they gave up and like the first house, abandoned it to the mercies of nature and the use of others who could briefly enjoy the beautiful view.


Looking into the living room and up to one of the lofts

( Slip, sliding away [19 behind the cut] )

Rancho Palos Verdes House #2

fynoda and I wandered along the coast road. Our intent was to drive past the remains of Marineland of the Pacific and then find the wreck of the SS Dominator, which went aground off Whites Point. We never made it there. Instead we found two victims of the Portuguese Bend Slide area. Like the area around the Sunken City (San Pedro), the land is meeting the sea somewhat faster than the residents appreciate. In Los Angeles, one of the most expensive areas in the county is by the Pacific Ocean. The better the view, the higher the value. We were in million dollar territory.



( Sliding slowly under the waves [8 behind the cut] )

Fort MacArthur

At the southern end of Los Angeles lays the remains of the city’s military past. Fort MacArthur guarded the main sea approaches to San Pedro Bay. The Fort’s days as a defensive position ended in 1974 when the NIKE missile air defense site was deactivated. The upper and lower reservations of the fort were turned over to Los Angeles as parks. One of the most unique aspects of the former military site is the remains of the WW 1 era shore batteries. At one time, two pairs of 14 in (355mm) “disappearing rifles (canons)” were positioned to throw 1200 lb (544 Kg) anti-ship rounds as far as Catalina Island 18 miles (30 Km) distant. Two gun emplacements and their associated fire director building have been turned into a museum. fynoda and I started our abandoned site hunt amidst the abandoned shore batteries.



( Memories of hot steel [13 behind the cut] )

Ok to clarify, in September of 2007 I took my last expedition with badgerphone. After we departed the ruins east of Lancaster we headed make in and one of us remembered a burned adobe ranch that was supposed to be redeveloped by the city. The ranch had been a gift to the City of Lancaster and dated back to the 1920’s. Unfortunately the city once again proved it’s utter inability to preserve anything of historic value. Vandals or transients got into the site and burned it down.

The Ruins


( the long and winding road [16 images behind the cut]  )

Ok to clarify, in September of 2007 I took my last expedition with badgerphone. Soon after that we parted company due to personal issues. On that September afternoon, she snuck out from her apartment and we proved the old adage that you could drive a few miles in any direction from Lancaster and find sites. As another acquaintance commented to me, “ah good times..”

The Ruins
The first site we found was actually a dump site, a very illegal one, but one that included an abandoned set of work trailers.


This slow boat to oblivion caught our attention. What is about boats in the desert. At least it was pointed towards the ocean ..

( Slow boat to Hades.. [13 images]  )

Without a doubt, the site had seen far better days. Given it’s condition and Los Angeles County’s aggressive policy towards abandoned and seriously damaged sites, it will likely end up meeting the same fate as Felicia’s tow (nearby) haunts. Until then the site has become a haven for the flighty.. some good birds of a feather, some bad.

The Burned Ranch (Part 2)


Turn out the lights before you go (main house)

( The wicked winds of change.. [11 images]  )

While I’m taking a break from unpacking the household, I thought I might offer something new site wise..

In June, just prior to my relocation east to Alabama, I had the pleasure of going on two hunts with the new socal_abandoned co-moderator fynoda. The first site we found was but by pure happenstance. After exploring the campground, we drove up into the desert near my former community to scout out a ranch complex I’d spotted back in March. The main house of the ranch had burned and the outlying trailers had since been heavily stripped.

The Burned Ranch



( The wicked winds of change.. [11 images]  )

While I’m taking a break from unpacking the household, I thought I might offer something new site wise..

In June, just prior to my relocation east to Alabama, I had the pleasure of going on two hunts with the new socal_abandoned co-moderator fynoda. The first site we found was but by pure happenstance. “The Oasis” campground was one of many 1950’s and 60’s era canyonland ‘resorts’ that catered to Los Angelinos who wanted a place to park a trailer and spend a relaxing time away from the city. Based on what we found there, the site apparently closed as a resort in the mid 1990’s, but it continues to be lived in by some families. While we stuck to the old sections, once we discovered this, we promptly left. Here’s what we saw before departing.

The Oasis Campground


( Fortunate fame, mirror vain, gone insane, but the memories remain..[16 images]  )

I thought it was about time to pass the word that I have not fallen off the edge of the world and I shall have photos to post soon. That being said, I wanted to offer some site updates and the transient nature of some of the sites we hold dear. Prior to departing for northern Alabama, I’d planned to write an update on some locations I’ve explored either solo or with companions. Rather than consider it a post-script on my activities in southern California, I look at it was a review.

Originally, I’d planned to make this a in multiple updates on old sites, but in review, I’ll merely hide the stories and photos behind a cut. Subjects covered: the Quartz Hill Golf Shop, the “Special House” in Bakersfield, the various Felicia sites, the Hawes Communications Bunker, and various Route 66 sites including The Greystone Café. All posts (references) are to my personal journal, mainly because I’m too lazy to pull of the same post I made to the community.

( Changes come in shades of gray and black.. [8 images and two slide shows]  )

Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. The site was eerily quiet and surreal. Here’s the remainder of the site. Sorry for the delay, but getting ready to move is taking a large amount of time and planning.

The Refinery



( Industrial decay [13 behind the cut] )

Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. The site was eerily quiet and surreal. I’m breaking the refinery pictures into two sets merely for size of the download.

The Refinery



( Industrial decay [21 behind the cut] )

Last summer badgerphone, my kids and I went out to meet and explore a site referred to me by horizon_eyes - an abandoned oil refinery. Given that southern California used to be a major oil producing region and there are many wells still operating here, I found it ironic to see a 60+ acre gasoline refinery completely decommissioned. We got there before our companions and had the chance to explore three houses which lay abandoned outside the refinery gates.

House 2 & 3



( Little (crack) house of horrors [20 behind the cut] )

One of the things that disturbs me about many of the recent abandonments in area is the rapid speed in which many of these houses are pillaged and often burned. In the Antelope Valley (north of Los Angeles) there’s a rumor that developer are hiring “crash crews” to systematically salvage and trash recently evicted properties is the house is in the path of potential housing developments.. While I can’t offer proof, far too many houses in this area show signs of arson with weeks or months of being cleared. This house was no exception inside, though the fire was caught very early.



( Enter the house of sorrows (14 behind the cut) )

In the 1950’s & 60’s, the Antelope Valley was full of ranches, farms and dreams. Some dreams last, others fade, some turn to nightmares. This 1950’s era ranch home was one my kids and I found on a random prowl this past January. I’m just getting around to posting it due to available time. The house was huge and appears to have been expanded several times over the decades. Unfortunately it appears to have been the site of a forcible eviction.



( Ranch style desolation (14 behind the cut) )

Slight Change of Plans

This just in from the Ministry of Silly Walks, the proposed SoCal Abandoned Meet-up on either May 3rd or 4th is postponed. Due to the possibility of a job offer out of the area, I may be needing to move - soon. This will require a quantum shift in household junk.

YARD SALE!

Hopefully I'll have the time and opportunity to reschedule the meet-up. Supporting the family always comes first.

I don't know why I've become obsessed with photographing this beautiful old building. I now know why the owners were avoiding my calls and mail. The California Investment Group is bankrupt. Seriously bankrupt. 15 million dollars in debt, the courts are putting the old girl back up for auction on Wednesday.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080211-9999-1m11theater.html

Given that the weather across southern California is not very good for (safe) exploring or photography, I'm going to delay the tentative exploration to the San Diego area for two weeks (Feb 9th or 10th). I'm still hoping for folks to offer up a meeting location or potential sites. Please e-mail or message me privately.

According to the Los Angeles Times - Police arrested the probable suspects of the two youths.

Additionally, local authorities have convinced US Air Force authorities to destroy the site by the end of the year.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bunker19jan19,1,5853413.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

or

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22730894/

1. The Hawes Communications Bunker (Visit #4 because she wanted to see it);
2. The Atolia Tungsten Mines (4 miles square – 100+ mine openings);
3. Randsburg, CA (A Class C “living” ghost town – 300 houses, 78 residents);
4. Boron Minimum Security Federal Prison Camp (This required two visits)

The Dorms

The prison complex had some notable features which may have eventually led to its closure. The majority of the inmate population lived in dorm complexes versus cells. In fact the only locks on the building were found on the entrance and exit doors to each dorm (and even then they had alarmed fire exits). According to the info on the prison, the population here varied from 350 to 450 inmates at any given time. Coupled with the evidence, this would put three to four inmates per dorm room. Even with the good conditions, the lax security arrangements led more than a few inmates, simply walking down to the nearby highway to be picked up by an accomplice.



( This house is not a home [12 behind the cut] )

San Diego, Orange and Riverside County folks, this is for you!

We have an interesting challenge. As was noted before, a reporter has asked if we will help her to see what the attracts us to abandoned places. First off, would folks in the counties mentioned please contact Rosa about her article. Second, how many folks would be up for a hunt in two weeks (Jan 26th primary or Jan 27th as a backup) in the mentioned counties? To have a successful hunt and exploration we need suggestions for area sites and a meet up location. Please e-mail these suggestions to me privately (see my profile).

To note, given the recent sad news from San Bernardino County, local authorities may be more than a bit nervous of people going into certain sites. If there's enough interest, then we want to look at sites where we can get into and out of safely and quickly.

Lastly, I am not organizing a general carpool this time. There was a couple missed connections and ill will following the Salton Sea trip. I'd like to avoid that and give everyone the chance to plan ahead.