The Gingerbread Castle

The Gingerbread Castle was built in the 1920's by Joseph Urban, an architect.  Capturing the feel of childhood fairy stories, the Castle rose in shades of candy colors, attracting children from all over until it's close in the 1970's.  Falling into disrepair despite the efforts of the previous owner, The Gingerbread Castle is a pale shadow of it's former self.  Greeted by climbing vines, crumbling stairs, the smell of damp, and faded pink paint, I stared up from the bottom of the wishing well, hoping this once grand roadside attraction would not fade into obscurity. The current owners of The Gingerbread Castle are trying to get the structure on the registry of historic places, with plans for revitalization.  

Post-hurricane.

the throne room.

through a glass, darkly.

wishing well.

Plastoids

Plastoids holds a special place in my heart.  It served as a castle and jungle gym to an inquisitive adolescent girl with it's dark tower and crumbling stairways;  now it serves as subject of photography.  Located in a town that used to be a center of industry, the factory sits vacant--a testament to times gone by--when a mill, railroad, and cracker plant kept the community thriving.  The front section of the building was damaged by a fire a few years back and parts of the floor are not sturdy at all. The property is privately owned with plans for redevelopment in the future.