A beautiful little find- tiny trees growing inside the charred house of Lonsdale

I had to post this picture because, as we all know, nature will always win. Tiny maple trees are feeding from the ashes of this house. Although they have a long way to go, those little 6-12″ trees represent how truly abandoned this house is. Remember, this house has sat in this condition for four long months. At least mother nature is attempting to clean up the ruins of humans.

Not much going on in Carrollton, so here’s some self-promoting.

Sorry, but there is no Carrollton news. However, because my work in Carrollton has filtered into other realms of my life, so too as my work as a fine artist been influenced. I have incorporated images of the airplanes and vacant homes loosely into my recent work. The body of work, which I officially titled, “Flight Restrictions” incorporates a number of topics I am exploring, with the loosely-tying connection of flight (planes and birds). One painting done with Carrollton in mind portrays an empty, interior room with figures representing history mingling amongst broken glass and linework of an airplane. Two figures, my step-brother and myself appear as our younger selves when we were residents. (Side note- there was a third-my sister. She did not look right for the composition, so she got deleted at the last minute..she’s strangely still there, very ghostly too if you were to look closely enough). Other paintings portray tension between a bird (in this case the very intelligent magpie) and a worm. The immediate emotion from the viewer to feel pity for the defenseless worm. The idea is that the bird appears to be dark and menacing, but the necessary worm, by its very nature, must be overpowered. The pitiful thing is nothing more than a worm yet it still has the power to ground the birds. Fragile thread, dandelions which ever change (time), spoons, planes, etc. are all important role-players in my exploration of time, necessities, contemplation, and conflict.

If you are interested, you can see some of my work in the City of O’Fallon, Missouri at the Renaud Center. The Renaud Center, an art and recreation facility has sadly, replaced the former O’Fallon Gallery for display of local art. The new locale is, literally, a hallway. The plus side to the Renaud Center is that it offers more exposure to the public. The downside is, although well-kept, is a hallway that smells of chlorine. Hey, it still has art and you should still go and see it. : ) Rumor is, O’Fallon is looking to build a fine and performing arts center, so it does sound as though they are being progressive in expanding cultural institutions. We should applaud their efforts and encourage them! In the meanwhile, go to the hallway and experience the paintings and chlorine for yourself.

My work will be on display from July 14th until mid-August. The Renaud Center west off Highway K on Waterford Crossing. Follow WC until Tri-Sports Drive, then turn left. RC is at the end of the drive. If you don’t get a chance to see my work, at least go and see some of the future work there- they will have some really nice stuff at least until early Jan. 09.

Some of the work that will be on display is on my flickr site. Just click onto any of the photos on the right and it will take you there. The work is of paintings and drawings; no photos. I am planning on doing a photo exhibition somewhere when I am finished with the Carrollton book (promotion!). I’d like to have the show somewhere in Bridgeton!

Thanks! I plan to delete this post once the show is over to keep this site again true to the happenings in Carrollton!

In other Fire-related news, the Gist Firehouse is gone; Freebourne Park is also Airport property

I have no idea when it happened. It has been a while since I took a drive down Gist towards Lindbergh Blvd. ln May, Freebourne was still a park and a large family picnic was underway. I had thought about coming back later in the week to take pictures of the park where I had many great memories. So the next time I came back, another large picnic was being had, this time from a church outing. As I don’t want to interrupt a get-together, my camera and I left again for yet another day. This scenario happened repeatedly until I was completely drawn back to the burned houses for more artsy photographic explorations. Needless to say, I put the remaining attractions on Gist on the back list, assuming they would be there for a long time. I assume too much.

From the few new weeds grown on the dirt mound that was once the Robertson Fire Station, I would place the destruction around the end of May or early June. I can also venture to guess that is also when they decided to close down Freebourne as well.

For a while, I fantasized about purchasing the Firestation to turn it into an art studio. I honestly did not think the airport would go for that since it is directly across from the runway, but the tall, open interior space and upper apartment area would have made the most amazing studio and gallery. It used to be nestled right in with the large homes of Gist, and of course next to the park. It was still in operation as a firehouse during almost the entire buyout, closing down sometime late in 2006. Despite being openly visible to the new runway, the station had been heavily vandalized throughout 2007 and 2008.

The park was a place of many memories. I went to day-camp for 6 weeks in the summertime at Freebourne from the time I was 9 until I was 12. There was a giant bush with arching branches that created a wonderful lil hut where I would spend time playing. The playground portion of the park was on a steep hillside. Swinging from those swings, I would imagine jumping off and flying down the hill to my death. A concrete tunnel was once there, but I believe it was taken out sometime ago when parks everywhere converted to the boring plastic nightmares they are now. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful and large park with lots of forestry and wide open fields too. New developments do not reserve this kind of vast green space for parks anymore, and its sad to see such a useful space go to nothing. O’Connor Park is the last park near the Carrollton Subdivision that has not been divided (Oak Valley Park on Natural Bridge is barely in existence) or completely sold to the City of St. Louis. Oddly enough, you have to go through the streets of Carrollton to get to O’Connor Park, unlike Freebourne which was just to the outside. It puzzles me why they took Freebourne and not O’Connor too; O’Connor is an OK park, but its not nearly as large or picturesque as Freebourne and not nearly as accessible. It does have its nice spots, including a fantastic tree by the roller hockey rink and in general is rather (obviously) quiet. Overall, however, it doesn’t have very many trees at all and overlooks an unsightly industrial park. Rumor has it that O’Connor will remain in Bridgeton’s hands.

2 Fires in June and nothing else.

4245 Brampton burned to nearly the ground on June 1st. Being a direct path through the subdivision and a nice shortcut for the city of Bridgeton, Brampton was always a major thoroughfare. So its no surprise that once the area was mainly vacated, this house suffered the brunt of the vandalism early on. People were getting into this house for some time, even while a family with small kids occupied the house on the corner from it. It was the last 2 story house left in Carrollton and the fire completely consumed the entire second story, leaving the first story completely torched yet standing. The water from the fire department had washed all the debris down the hill the house stood atop. As of this posting, the debris is still scattered across the yard, with merely red ‘do not enter’ tape wrapped loosely around the yard.

I didn’t explore this house much, except to photograph a random chicken which was wandering around this yard for about two weeks last fall. I don’t know how he got there, but I am sure he didn’t last long.

12634 Weskan burned to the ground around June 14th leaving only a few pipes and a brick window remaining in a vertical position. This one was a bit of a shock because its been relatively untouched for some time. The other homes lost to arson have either suffered great vandalism prior or at least were out of the main way through the area. Since this house did not have any graffiti and it was visible from 270, I would have not thought someone would try and burn it down. This place had been boarded up for as long as I can remember, and certainly while the owners of 4095 Weskan lived there. Other than the boards being knocked out and a few broken windows, this place had stayed relatively neat throughout the empty years. Even the bushes, now charred black, had seemed to grow in a manicured shape. The only thing I can remember being damaged early on was that the whole glass back door was broken out and the air conditoner laid in parts on the back patio.

These two latest examples demonstrate the complete lack of security of this area from the airport.

The Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that an additional 30 flights are being cut from Lambert.

So, Lambert- What are the long-term plans now regarding the former Carrollton Subdivision? The final occupants moved out 6 months ago. These houses are slipping into horrific desecration. The pool is a sickening health hazard. What are you going to do with this wasteland? We are all becoming more anxious to learn what will be the fate so we can finally close this book.

How much is the new runway really costing now? Apparently, it must cost more than you can afford to pay the demo crews to take out 26 home parcels, half of which have become arsonist playgrounds. The longer you leave them, the greater the risk of someone getting hurt. The red tape does not keep people out. Get those houses out of there, before it costs you (and I, the taxpayer) a lot more.

The only demolition work in Carrollton is being done by pyros; 26 houses are barely standing

Not since March 14th has an official demolition been carried out. In fact, the lineup of dumpsters and the wreckers themselves have been removed from the area in April. Lambert seems to be done for a while, which is completely inappropriate. 17 houses remains mainly intact while 9 others are left in charred ruins, some for months.

So to Lambert Expansion officials, who I hope read this: 26 former homes are left in sickening demise. End this deplorable mess NOW. For the sake of the people who once called this area home, finish what you have started and take out the remaining 26! They’re already displaced and planted elsewhere, but they still deserve dignity and respect! Give them the piece of mind that none of this was done in vain.. tear out the rest of the homes NOW!

Every house that now remains has been vacant for a year or more. Some have been vacant for four years; that is the last time they actually bothered to board up the empty homes. Those houses that once had that courtesy now have their rotten, moldy boards kicked out in the yards from the inside. There isn’t a single windowpane in Carrollton with a full sheet of glass. Most windows don’t even have a fragment of glass larger than a finger left in the frames.

We could say that we should be glad in this economy that Lambert at least got the people out. After all, they dragged their feet on the buyouts as some people waited in that limbo for over a decade. However, it just proves what a bad deal this was from the very start. They didn’t have the money then, and they surely don’t have it now. Its pathetic that Lambert forced some homeowners to wait as long as 2007, close to 15 years to finally move on. Its sick to leave their homes in this state of ruin and limbo for even longer.

Do the people of Carrollton still care? Do the former owners of the 26 remaining see what is happening? Yes they do, and I am witness. Former residents drive through all the time; I see them constantly while I am on my photo shoots. The worst was when I could finally drive two weeks ago, I went down Manteca, where some of my favorite subjects lie in ruin. I saw an old man parked outside the former two-story burn… his hand was over his eyes. Once he looked up and saw me from the opposite direction, he gained composure and quickly drove off.

2 houses burned tonight in the early hours of the evening.

Driving down 370- “Hey, what’s up with the smoke… it looks like its coming from Carrollton.”

I hadn’t finished the history behind the last house fire from this weekend when I was alerted to a fire in the old neighborhood. When we got there, it wasn’t just one, but two homes on fire. They were 4217 Manteca, a giant, white two-story with red front doors and a huge favorite of mine, and 4050 Chartley, the lonesome white house on the corner lot of Chartley and Bondurant. The Chartley house is largely still intact, but the Manteca house, like its neighbor just up the street, is completely down to the concrete basement foundation.

When will Lambert learn? Again, I hope the fire district slaps the airport with enormous fines for allowing these houses to be put in this condition in the first place. If they needed them so badly, then they should take them down as soon as the owners move… not sitting vacant and useless for years. Its sad to see them destroyed via wrecker, but its even more sickening to watch them get vandalized and victimized to the point of arson. I hope the airport will now have the dignity to take out the rest of the homes soon before more families watch their homes burn away for nothing. The embarrassing news from last week’s post is bad enough for the residents. Hopefully, this rash of arson will make the news and give Lambert a slap on the other cheek.

4217 Manteca was completely destroyed on April 29th, 2008 by fire. It is the house from the night shot in this post. This house was in the top ten favorites for photographing, mainly because it had good light in the main rooms coming through the holes in the wall, and was fairly interesting overall. It was charming and definitely well-cared for until the very end. I’d even venture to guess that these people had pride in their house as it was updated with good carpet and contemporary kitchen styles. The clashing juxtaposition of an updated and cared for home with the vandalism made for a great subject. I’m not entirely sure when the occupants moved out, but it sat vacant for some time.

Another weekend, another house fire

This house at 4232 Manteca burned to the ground in the early hours of April 20th. You would think that, since two houses burned in two weekends, that some airport official will figure out the pattern and make some attempt at security. Well, they haven’t and now for the third weekend in a row, we have yet another house fire. This time, the house burned down to its foundation. I surely hope that the Pattonville fire department is charging Lambert heavily for their lack of protecting their own property. By the time I got there Sunday morning, the house was still smoldering. I took some haunting yet beautiful photos at this house, but I do miss this place already. Once again, you can never rely on taking pictures tomorrow. In Carrollton, there may be no tomorrow.

I always felt comfortable in this place. I had no qualms about entering here alone. Others, I have found, have not. One of my friends, just from viewing it from the exterior outright refused to go in. My husband swears this place is haunted… he said it gave him the most eerie vibes he’s ever experienced (and he’s grown up in 100+ year old houses). He said the living room especially felt haunted by something dark. Although I didn’t take this paranoia seriously, I will admit, he’s never been before the superstitious type, and in many ways much more braver than I. Knowing how much I liked this house, he went with me a couple times before, but refused to enter, so I went it alone. Its weird, but I found the exact opposite reaction to the living room. I found this parlor’s warm-hued window drapes to be almost enchanting as they billowed through the broken window’s breezes. The sitting room off to the left of the parlor had a brick fireplace and bright-red carpeting that clashed brilliantly against the view of the emerald-green through the busted up sliding glass back door. I wanted to explore the basement of this house, but never got the opportunity, until it was covered with the ashes of the floor above.

Allenhurst, one-half

Sometime Sunday night, April 13-14th, Allenhurst had caught fire. Just as Lonsdale, only one half of Allenhurst stands, charred and wet.

Backing up to the former Bridgeton Nursing Home, this house was the only house in the Gist-area portion of Northern Carrollton. This area was beginning to clear out while I was in high school, and was emptied well before our final section. Yet, one white bungalow with its bright red door remained rooted to the scene. You could see this home just off Brampton, a major vein through Carrollton. I remember seeing the owners outside quite often as I’d drive past. They spent much time outside, and although I didn’t know them, they seemed, maybe just by the sheer fact that they were still there, rather defiant. There was something firm and stubborn about them- they didn’t seem to move until they were forced out. Their home was occupied well after the grass grew over their neighbors’ land.

“That’s why it is very unlikely (Lambert) will ever be a major hub.”

The article today’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch puts Lambert International, and with it the fate of Carrollton, into startling perspective.

It is true, and now there is even more evidence- the destruction of our homes was, officially, for no reason. According to the article, the airport has been classified as simply a ‘mid-sized’ airport since 2003. In 2003, the new runway was barely started and many houses on the south still remained. Aside from hardship cases, my mom’s side of Carrollton was not approached for buy-out in 2003. She was not approached until 2006. Nearly all of my friend’s houses were still standing in 2003. All of the destruction could have been stopped when the officials realized that Lambert will NEVER fill the numbers of flights they had in the 1990s. Even those flights were executed without the shiny new runway that now sits uselessly in Bridgeton.

Its a brutal shock to me that they could take everything away, without doing their homework, without doing the research or checking their facts, but take it all for landlust and false pretenses. All that had existed from my childhood has been bulldozed down to dirt and busted roads, all for absolutely nothing.

If this doesn’t make someone question the validity of ‘eminent domain,’ nothing will.

You can read the article here.

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Ghost Town

Nothing has been destroyed since the recent Lonsdale demos and the fire. This past week’s violent winds and rain has caused major damage to the last house on Woodford Way and another home on Bittick. The roof of both homes has been nearly blown off to the point that the airport has added caution tape around Woodford, which didn’t exactly hold me back from getting close enough to take a few shots.

Tuesday evening, I found three teenage kids stranded with a flat tire. I drove past them once just before dark, wondering what a bunch of kids were doing in the middle of the street. I drove by them some time later and they were still there… they were stranded. Who knows what they were doing. Maybe they were mudding through the empty plots of land, or maybe they were just cruising too fast down the street. Whatever they did, their the rim was bent up badly and the tire was dead flat. Nevertheless, they’re kids doing no more than I did when I was 16, so I stopped and asked if they needed help. Turns out that they didn’t have a phone and were scared shitless; it was just after dark by this time. They were highly thankful for the use of my phone.

“Yo, Greg? Dude, you gotta help us! We busted up a tire in Ghost Town! Get here now! We’re borrowing some chick’s phone…. Hey- where we anyway? What are these streets called?”

“Chartley and Celburne,” I replied. I turned to the speaker’s brother. “Ghost Town? Is that what you call this area?” He gave me a guilty grin.

“Ghost Town. Yup, Its creepy as hell here! How do you know about this place?”

“I used to live here. Its not that creepy to me.”

“Man, I’m scared as hell. About five other cars drove past us and nobody would stop, so we’re stuck here in the dark! Where are the cops when you actually need them?”

Just as on cue, as if it was some kind of lame fiction novel or crappy sitcom, a cop car pulls up, and turns the flashers on. The kids start cheering the second the cop gets out of the car.  The cop opens his mouth, and starts booming.