I set up camp down the road in Coos Bay—about fifty miles south—and decided to make a trip back to Gardiner to do a little bit of exploring and see if I could meet any locals. After arriving in town I came across the local school, which was closed, but appeared to be in relatively good condition. It seemed to have had escaped any vandalism or decay—a fate which is a common and unfortunate reality for many vacant buildings.

I photographed the exterior and peered through the windows, trying to imagine what was still left inside. It was so intriguing to me that this school, which at one point was such an important part of the community, now sat empty. I decided to try and track down the current owner to see if I could get access to photograph inside the building. After a few discussions and a trip to a nearby town, I received a phone call later that day and was given permission to explore inside W.F. Jewett Middle School.

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