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slgwv

slgwv club

Posted: 11 Jul 2013

Taken: 06 Apr 2013

1 favorite     8 comments    329 visits

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Silver Surfers Silver Surfers

Tolerance Tolerance

Oregon Oregon

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Keywords

USA •
Oregon •
Ford •
dealership •
Egyptian •
Hopi •
Klamath Falls •

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Cross-cultural?

Cross-cultural?
Apparently defunct Ford dealership in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The decor, bizarrely, features what look to be Ancient Egyptian and Hopi (a Native American Pueblo tribe) motifs! I have no idea what the backstory is--
UPDATE: Thanks to Diane (see comments below) for the backstory!

William Sutherland has particularly liked this photo

8 comments - The latest ones
 Cold War Warrior
Cold War Warrior
Ah, were the ancient Egyptians the first to discover America!? A handsome buildng.
8 years ago.
slgwv club has replied to Cold War Warrior
Well, after all the Maya built pyramids, too. Never mind theirs were a couple of thousand years later--
8 years ago.
Diane Putnam club has replied to Cold War Warrior
Oh, you didn't know that? Ha! Yes, this building is one of our only claims to fame. : )
8 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Terrific architectural capture!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
8 years ago.
slgwv club has replied to William Sutherland club
Thanks!
8 years ago.
 Diane Putnam
Diane Putnam club
Ah yes, the old Balsiger Ford Dealership showroom, the first dealership in Klamath Falls. Built 1929 in that era's Egyptian revival style (many "revival" styles were popular in the 20s and 30s). Balsiger's moved in 1995 to a modern outdoor dealership and a succession of businesses came and went in the old building. After sitting empty for a few years it was restored and used as an events center. That failed, too. During unusually heavy snow storms in the winter of 07-08 the roof of the back half collapsed. It remained that way until funds were finally allotted (I guess by the city) to demolish that part of the building in about 2011.

Balsiger Ford no longer exists. I don't know when they finally closed, as I hadn't moved back here until 2008.

So, there sits "the Egyptian building," no takers for purchase or lease of the building. That's because KF has been a dying town for a very long time and many - if not most - of the old, historic buildings are vacant. Main St., which is actually charming and old-timey, is largely abandoned, for several reasons I won't go into here. Personally, I don't see that ever changing. Sad, but not unique to the Main St. of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

From the local newspaper, the Herald & News, in 2012: " It was recognized by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art 'as one of the finest examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United States,' according to the Klamath County Museum."

P.S I didn't see any reference to Hopi motifs anywhere and I don't see exactly what you mean.
8 years ago. Edited 8 years ago.
slgwv club has replied to Diane Putnam club
Thanks for the extensive reply! The two mostly blue figures at the top sure look like kachinas to me--hence my reference to Hopi motifs.
8 years ago.
Diane Putnam club has replied to slgwv club
Ah, I see what you mean. By the way, I'm not at all fond of the jazzed-up colors on the trim and figures. Don't know what the originals were, but I'm sure not this. It makes me think of a disco, because the colors are quite girly and has glittery stuff in it. Oh well, no one consulted with me, as usual!
8 years ago. Edited 8 years ago.

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