Curbside Classic Outakes: Oakridge – The Little Town That Time and Rust Forgot
We spent Labor Day doing what we like best: driving into the mountains and hiking to a remote lake. The wild huckleberries and blueberries at Vivian Lake were ripe, and there was a hint of fall in the crisp dry air and brilliant blue sky. And on the way back, we made the obligatory refreshment stop in Oakridge. For years, that was at the DQ, right on Hwy. 58. Now that the kids are gone and our tastes have changed, we meander into the mostly boarded-up downtown to the recently-opened Brewer’s Union Local 180, for authentic English-style beer from their own casks and excellent food. And of course, the Curbside Classics that line the side streets.
Since the lumber mills closed decades ago, Oakridge has fallen into a slumber. And it’s not the only one: there are dozens of former mill towns all over Oregon that have never revived since the 1981 recession, which permanently altered the whole timber industry. They can be a bit depressing, like a miniature Detroit where the Big Three totally shut down. But a few hardy souls like some artists and the owners of this Pub are starting to move into the empty storefronts. And they’re a bonanza of old car spotting, if you’re not a timid sort. I stick to the “nice ” side of the tracks; the other side has a vast run-down trailer park with quite the collection of vehicles, but I didn’t have the nerve to get out and start shooting. Maybe another time.
Anyway, one of these has been a prior CC, and others may be worthy of that in the future, but in the meanwhile, enjoy some of the vintage roadside attractions of Oakridge, including my favorite, below:
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You might want to call that Oakridge, OR (state abbreviation). The first thing I think about is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Ridge,_Tennessee aka the secret city and it is a small town but it's right next to me here in East TN.
I want that Cyclone.