I have always been interested in all the stages a structure can go though over its life span----often vastly different or unimagined from its original use. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
Like a lighthouse turned into a bed and breakfast or a school turned into condominiums.
Wars are acted out on giant world-wide stages with much drama and acting much like might be symbolically acted out in a play on a smaller stage of a local theater.
The symbolism and irony of seeing an old World War II gun emplacement at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, Washington turned into a stage was another example of such a transformation. The surrounding fortifications were fittingly turned into theater seating.
This stage could just as easily be used to celebrate victories in the Pacific Theater or to voice the protests of those that oppose war----or everything between, before, or after. Perhaps a wedding or a rock concert or a poetry reading might get staged. Since this bunker is named after someone named "Thomas Parker" it was only natural that I would do a Google search to learn who the hell Thomas Parker was. I never did find out because I got distracted reading about a group that called themselves the "Thomas Parker Society." Apparently in 1991 people started gathering at this place with flashlights and candles to do poetry readings and story telling which has since morphed into an even wider influence around the country.
There really is no way to know which, if any, of its uses created the most "value" to the culture that built it----perhaps all----perhaps none----depending on the theater goer.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Click on the Rose 
to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
DeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.
can you imagine what a society we'd have, if we hadn't needed to spend gazillions of dollars on stuff like "gun emplacements"?
Fort Casey has always been a place to go. I went there as a Cub Scout 50 years ago!
Where do all the weeks go Charles?
Paul
We held a family reunion at Fort Casey about 5 years ago and rented all of the officers quarters. It was a grand time. The kids loved the pool and the walks along the coast are fantastic. Thanks for jogging the memory a bit, Charlie.
There are a lot of interesting transformations. I see old schools and stores being turned into churches. On a bulletin board I am on one of the interesting discussions has been what to do with an old Walmart that closed in a small town.
Hi Charles, the 3 R's Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. It is great to see creative ways to reuse the structures of our past.
Charles,
Love Fort Casey. I've been there several times in my life. Stayed there with my Son's class in the 6th grade. Very fond memories. I once brought my son there when he was young and he grabbed a stick and yelled "Guys get your guns!" Still a phrase used in the family today.
Thanks for the photo and the memory!
Alan, it would be astronomical the amount of money
Paul, I seem to wonder that a lot more than I ever used to
Glenn, we go every summer and the last two years we stayed in the "Doctor's House"
Gene, the coolest thing is that the walmart failed I guess :)
Dale, true----and some are easier to figure out what to do with than others
Don, it is funny the sayings like that that get going in families that people on the outside would never be able to fully appreciate
Charles,
Thanks for these pictures of the old Theater in Washington. I have only been to Washington once and it was to Seattle. My daughter goes to Whidbey Island every two years and loves it there. Washington is a beautiful place. I hope I get a chance to go back and visit more of the State sometime.
Charlie,
Near there is an even more secret old fort. When I was there in my 20's few people knew about it. I think they have made it more public since then. It was all carved into the hill side and prickly pear cactus grew all around it. Very weird.
Mr Charles,
I believe that this Thomas Parker played Davy Crockett back in the 1950's. Quite certain of that. I will bet you a lick off my cone.
Nutsy
Linda, the NW is a magical place
Steve, all of these fortifications were carved into the hills and there is way more underground than above ground----can't see a thing from off shore
Nutsy, I think you are thinking of Parker Posey
Charlie,
What you can see from offshore depends on how much you been drinkin'
Steve, that is just as true "on shore"