Lost history

[kengr]

The former Red Lion hotel at Jantzen Beach, site of most Orycons until it closes 7 years back caught fire last night.

Five alarms. 5 of the 6 buildings are *gone* and the 6th is badly damaged.

Lots of memories there. All gone.

Comments

[dornbeast.livejournal.com]

Did they do anything with the place after it closed?

[kengr]

Some church was using part of it for a while, and apparently the police and fire departments have used it for training (who better to train for events at a hotel than in an actual hotel?).

But not much else.

Also part of the property was slated to be used for the new bridge across the Columbia anyway.

Looks like they won't have to worry about demolishing the buildings on that part.

There are also rumors that it may have been arson for the insurance. Apparently the current owners have a bad rep.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

I has a sad now. That beautiful ballroom! :(

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

I was out there about twelve hours after the fire started; the Riverview Ballroom isn't just damaged it's gone, as is all of the upper floor of the main building. It was a lovely place, big enough for everything, and with overflow space on the patios.

My commentary is here. The fire even sank part of the dock, which is not the most obviously vulnerable part of the site!