RIP Stillwell Hall

[John Kasaian]

Just got back from the annual family trip to the Beach (to remind us of what the ocean sounds like and what cosmically challenged people with suntans look like)and passed through Ft. Ord/Cal State University Monkey Brains/whatever the heck its called now and noticed Stillwell Hall---I think thats what they called it---finally either was torn down or slid into the sea as it has been threatening to do for some time. Those of you who have driven up or down Hwy 1 through Seaside, N. of Montery probably remember it as being a beautiful building on the dunes over looking the Bay(mBay, not eBay) Its always been in on the back burner to weasel my way into closed down Ft. Ord and photograph the place. Now that that can't happen I was wondering if anyone else had had the opportunity to record it for posterity on sheet film? There are a number of old historic buildings left (in a delightful state of decay) you can see from Hwy 1 that would make interesting photographs at Ft. Ord. My attempts to get permission from the powers that be has so far been to naught. Has anyone else here had better luck getting aboard?

Cheers!

[Brian Ellis]

Is all of Fort Ord inaccessabile now for security reasons? I was there a couple months before 911 but with someone who didn't like that type of photography so I felt uncomfortable spending much time. However, there were no problems just driving onto the base and going anywhere you wanted to go in the abandoned area (i.e most of the base), at least no one said anything to us. I always thought I'd go back on my own when next in that area. It looked like the kind of place you could spend months exploring and photographing.

[John Kasaian]

Brian,

The old Base is restricted, to my understanding, for health and safety reasons---vandalism, lead paint, asbestos, structural unsoundness etc... The cool buildings are still owned by the DoD but the whole enchilada except for tenants like CSU Monkey Brains ...errr Montery Bay is under the control of the Ft. Ord Land Use Authority. Its been a few months since I last sought permission, maybe I'll try again as soon as I can get comfortable with my new class schedule. I so I'll post the details for anyone else whose interested in shooting there.

[N22Tango]

I was a soldier at Fort Ord in 1970. Fell in love with the area. I revisited in June 2008 and some areas are closed off, but most of the area is open. In fact, I was able to enter the old barracks I lived in during my basic training. It was creepy as could be, reeked off urine and I suspect (and have heard) that homeless people and or winos live in these old ruins.

It was very sad for me to return to this area and see that Stillwell Hall was gone. I called the main campus and they advised it was partially destroyed due to beach errosion and they tore down the remainder. I had a couple of beers there 39 years ago and knowing it was all gone, felt almost like losing a good friend.

Sterling
N22Tango on Flickr

[Merg Ross]

I was a soldier at Fort Ord in 1970. Fell in love with the area. I revisited in June 2008 and some areas are closed off, but most of the area is open. In fact, I was able to enter the old barracks I lived in during my basic training. It was creepy as could be, reeked off urine and I suspect (and have heard) that homeless people and or winos live in these old ruins.

It was very sad for me to return to this area and see that Stillwell Hall was gone. I called the main campus and they advised it was partially destroyed due to beach errosion and they tore down the remainder. I had a couple of beers there 39 years ago and knowing it was all gone, felt almost like losing a good friend.

Sterling
www.HighAboveTexas.com
N22Tango on Flickr

I took my infantry training at Ft. Ord in 1963-64. Like yourself, I revisited in 2006 and entered the old barracks on the hill. What a contrast to the spit and polish etched in my memory. I was in the wooden barracks at reception center the day that Kennedy was assassinated.

However, I was much more fortunate than many of my buddies who graduated from training in early 1964; the Army utilized my civilian skills, and I ended up as an 841.10 photographer (some of it large format).

There are a couple of images on my website from my 2006 visit, abstractions of decay and neglect.

I found your story interesting. Thanks for sharing.

mergross.com

[Merg Ross]

Hi John,

I did a different kind of shooting there in 1964 but would love to return with a view camera. Please keep us posted if you have any luck in gaining access.

Regards,

[jnantz]

hi john

you might want to talk to someone involved with "planning and historic preservation" at the land use authority. you might offer to give them some photographs and suggest that you are doing a psuedo-habs documentation or existing conditions photographs. often times the planning / preservation arm of land use authorities need to do that type of photography every few years ... they might usually do / need 35mm type work, but at the same time they might jump at the idea that someone is taking record photographs and giving them a few prints for the 5-finger discount

john

[SP4 Ray]

Ran past the old place many times on the Friday 7th ID runs. Also, our company had a party there. I think some of the interior was saved.

[Matt_4807]

You can go anywhere you want on the base it is open to the public. The buildings themselves say you can't go in them because they are owned by the government ect.. however being a CSU Monterey Bay student I have gone in and around nearly all of the buildings and never been in any kind of trouble. There are plenty of pictures of Stillwell Hall as well.

[Dennis_4840]

I have been taking digital photographs of Fort Ord since 2000. Currently have close to 2500 images.

The best treasures are the murals and soldier artwork in some of the buildings. I did have to get permission, additional insurance documents, and permissions from many agency's for access. The police from the local jurisdictions could arrest, or give you tresspassing tickets if you don't have valid permission.

Was not able to get Stilwell Hall prior to its' destruction, feel bad about that.