13 favorites     22 comments    312 visits

1/107 f/2.4 3.1 mm ISO 50

LG Electronics LGUS215


See also...

50 plus photographers 50 plus photographers


Oregon Oregon


Colour my world Colour my world


l'insolite l'insolite


Photo Potpourri Photo Potpourri


open daily open daily


See more...

Authorizations, license

Visible by: Everyone
All rights reserved

Photo replaced on 18 May 2018
312 visits


Fragment from demolished "Egyptian building"

Fragment from demolished "Egyptian building"
Originally the Balsiger Ford dealership built in the 1930s. Knocked down last summer due to severe deterioration in the concrete. It went many years with random tenants and without proper structural maintenance. We're lucky this didn't get stolen and end up in the British Museum! ;-b (Hey, that's a joke!)

My photo from a few years ago:

Former Ford dealership, the

There was a lot of controversy and anger about the city council deciding to demolish it despite an outcry from the community. The city had owned the building for several years with vague plans to restore it after a catastrophic roof failure under heavy snow. The Oregon State Historical Preservationists felt it would be eligible for National Listing and tried to arrange meetings with the City to discuss that goal. They were ignored. My feeling was that this city has little going for it in points of interest and it was awfully cavalier for the council to not make a serious attempt to save it.

"This iconic building was once described by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art as: 'One of the finest examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United States.' " klamathwritersguild.org/gpage3.html

buonacoppi, Andy Rodker, Pam J, kiiti and 9 other people have particularly liked this photo


Latest comments - All (22)
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club has replied
I can't imagine what they'll do with the property. Not Walmart, they don't build inside cities, only way outside so they can have their 40 acre parking lot - and we already have one!
6 years ago.
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club has replied
Haha - yes, I understand. Actually, this was a bad safety issue, because we do have occasional earthquakes in southern Oregon. But, I still think they could have worked harder to restore it! Thanks, Kiiti.
6 years ago.
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club has replied
Yep, but with a Red city council in a Red region of Oregon, it was probably inevitable that there wouldn't be an effort to get funding, somehow, to restore it.
6 years ago.
 Andy Rodker
Andy Rodker club
What a travesty and a tragedy. it was beautiful (imho).
It reminds me of the Hoover factory in Perivale, but this time there is a happier outcome. Similar art deco style and a renowned landmark on the A40 leading out of London westwards (no Egyptian elements though). The factory was demolished and replaced by a Tesco hyper-market but the entire frontage was retained and it looks no different from the road now than it did in the 1930s.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Building
6 years ago.
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club has replied
That's more like it! Thanks for the link, I can see how people wanted it saved.
6 years ago.

Sign-in to write a comment.