The Fall of the Vikings and the rise of the Greenstone

When we moved here 3 years ago the Vikings Cottages were in their last days. While I did like the “eyebrow” roof over the front porch of the office, the rest of the buildings were in less than ideal condition and architecturally not very interesting. Our landlord was the first to tell us about the building of a new hotel where the cottåages sit. I paid little attention to this news, my focus was on doing my art and getting established here at the coast. But the old architectural designer and carpenter in me had something else in mind. As crews were busy removing the last of the interior wall board, appliances and windows, I suddenly realized I needed to document this event across the street from my front porch. What resulted was 43 weeks of taking upwards of 100 photos per week, which would be edited to 8 - 10 final shots When people asked us if we were upset about loosing our view we reply that, we didn’t have one to begin with. And, of all the things we could have had there, the Greenstone ain’t bad. I have had a ball covering the raising of the Greenstone; hopefully you have had a good time watching it go up. Thanks to Quade Const. and the Vikings owners for allowing me access to the site. Thanks to the subs who educated me on “green” construction. The first “green” hotel on the Oregon Coast is reality.
The old Viking office shortly after operations were moved to the new building at right (above left). The old buildings came down quickly in June 09 (above right). Our ocean view was short lived but glorious (bottom left). The Greenstone basking in the late Spring sunshine (bottom right) is set to open May 21st, 2010.

WWII and the Greenstone

The Greenstone was not here during World War Two, but the Vikings was. As you know, during WWII the west coast mobilized to protect us from enemy attack. The attack feared was from Japanese submarines. To that end Navy blimps patrolled the coast, being based in the town of Tillamook (hanger above). The tower located on the Vikings property (known as the Hub Tower) was used as an observation center looking for these subs (as well as planes). Gone are the days of sub attacks and observation towers, so I guess Greenstone guests will just have to be happy watching the whales pass by.