Thursday, March 19, 2015

ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE AND MORE


Just prior to my move to the coastal Oregon area my daughter came for a visit. She loves to go antiquing so we decided to take in the small town of Aurora, Oregon with all its many small shops. First stop was an old railroad depot that has been an antique shop for a number of years. My daughter has her hand on the item she bought there -- an old railroad lantern. 



Next stop in Aurora was an old mill that has become a salvage shop. We totally expected the shop to have the salvage just piled around in its interior. To our surprise it was organized and beautifully laid out. 





Most anything vintage seemed for sale in the mill.




Old numbers and letters lined the wall  -- marching up a staircase.



So many rooms of nice salvage to use in commercial establishments or a home

We had a great time perusing and suggest if one ever gets to Aurora, Oregon that they stop and have a look. You can't miss this mill as you drive into the little town of Aurora.

After a late lunch we drove home hoping someday to return to this quaint little town.

18 comments:

  1. Love architectural salvage. Have not place to use it, but just love browsing and dreaming. We have a similar place near here and I wonder if it is still up and running?

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    1. Tabor -- I like you do not have a place for any architectural salvage right now. Simply because I am trying to stay the course of my simple living plan -- "for every piece I bring into the house I have to give away or sell something I already have. But that doesn't mean that I can't look! -- thanks -- barbara

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  2. One of the teachers at the school where I work arranged for his class to visit a building-salvage dealer. "What a stupid place to go" says I beforehand. "When can we go again?" asked the children on the way back!

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    1. John -- What a great imaginative place to take your class. They were probably intrigued with such things as old doors for sale as well as old different kinds of windows etc. So when will they go again? thanks -- barbara

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  3. What a fun place to spend a rainy day! I'd love it! (My eye immediately latched onto some of the lamps behind your daughter!)

    My mom has an old railroad lantern from the Great Northern Railroad (now BNSF), where several of her Italian relatives worked. Many years ago my dad electrified it, and when we lived in Norfolk, VA she had it hanging in a window in our sunroom. It had green lenses on some sides and red on others (can't recall how many of each), and of course you could see them for miles. My dad went for a bike ride one night and when he got home he asked my mom if she'd gotten any business yet. She had no clue what he was talking about till he told her she'd faced the lantern with the red lens facing down the street (toward the shipyards, no less), and he could see it for blocks! They had a good laugh over that, as she immediately turned the lantern to its green side. :-)

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    1. Laloofah -- The salvage place had spectacular contents. You would probably spend quite a few hours in the place -- at least that many if you like vintage. That was quite a story about your mother and the railroad lantern. :) The shop my where by daughter bought the lantern was full of all different railroad lanterns. My daughter bought it to use outdoors on her patio table when the weather is favorable -- she lives in CA.

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  4. I love architectural salvage. There is a store in Louisville KY by exactly that name. I have an old cast iron street light in my yard that came home in the back of my daughter's pick up, along with our luggage. It rained. Old adventures.

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    1. Joanne -- A cast iron street light -- must say that that would make for an interesting adventure for sure. Hope your luggage was waterproof! New, as well as old adventures are great for our memory bank. thanks -- barbara

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  5. Aurora, Oregon, fascinating history as an early intentional community, still thriving. Discovered when first moved here [Kopp, Eden within Eden]. Been there for spinning group. Hard not to find something when we go, have to resist impulses. Our space majors in random finds--railroad tie from Baltimore life, door knob from NYC school.

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    1. naomi -- Like how you have material finds from your various life experiences. Those finds are sometimes laden with deep memories. Those are the types I like to surround me in my space. Did not realize you were a spinner. So nice to hear from you -- thanks -- barbara

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  6. How neat! I have an old red kerosene railroad lantern my Dad gave me...:)

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    1. Troutbirder -- Sounds like your lantern is just like the one my daughter bought. Your lantern is extra special as your dad gave it to you. thanks -- barbara

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  7. Looks like an interesting place! And lucky coincidence, I'm heading to Woodburn tomorrow, so I think I'll stop by here.

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    1. Milissa -- If you do visit Aurora today I believe you will certainly enjoy the town as well as the mill. I suggest the little cafe called (I think) the Rabbit. They have great from scratch soups, sandwiches and coffee. thanks -- barbara

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  8. Wow! From the outside you wouldn't guess that mill would be chock full and so organized. Sounds like a lovely want to spend your day. Best wishes, Tammy

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    1. Tammy -- I too never imagined this salvage place would look so fantastic inside -- from the outside it sure did look like an old mill -- of course because it was. thanks -- barbara

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  9. Great photos, as usual and I would love to find one of these stores that sell salvage of this quality. Must take a trip to Oregon.

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    1. Diane -- I enjoyed looking but I only look -- no buying. I am tired of feeling brainwashed to buy by the corporate structures. Not that this place pushed -- they certainly did not. And if one really needed a unique piece this was a place one could find it. -- thanks barbara

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