Abandoned building at 316 West Hobsonway

This is an abandoned building in the center of Blythe with a rich history. It neighbors Teddy's Donuts and a clinic, the latter being an attachment. The walls extend south to the alleyway behind the building. In fact, there is a section with no structure or part of the building between the walls, so the building might have been shortened. 

While I have no knowledge on the date of construction, according to the PVVT March 30 1990 edition the building had the first Safeway location in Blythe. The federal government probably used the building for more than one purpose. According to this document titled "Palo Verde Diversion Project" by Lara Bickell of the Bureau of Reclamation, the building at this address served as the office for the Palo Verde Diversion Dam project from August 1955 to an unspecified date. But as of one Christmas season in a photo dated 1959 posted by Markus Freitag (a great way to view Blythe's Hobsonway/US 60 & 70 in the past), the building is seen as a reserve center for the United States Army or Navy. The hanging sign on top features the words "MARK IV" and what may be "automotive" above and "air conditioning below". This possibly automobile place may be a neighboring business.

A business directory in the newspaper in 1979 has a business called Les Jeck's Carpets in this building.

The building was home to Carr's Western World, a store welling western apparel (If that is true, according to a friend) and livestock goods. According to other PVVT newspapers they had entry forms on local livestock competitions, and sponsored other events in the Blythe area such as one for fiddle. Another issue lists somebody in the business as a buyer of livestock (in an auction?) in 1989. This business that occupied the building appears to be the best in terms of remnants; there is a faded sign on the eastern side visible from Teddy's Donuts where you can see the faded name.

Today the building is one of the countless of abandoned examples in Blythe. The boarding of the front windows and maybe the door is kind of recent, as I remember broken glass in its place. However, as of August 2016, there is a hole in the front door, presumably so homeless people can access the place. There is exposure in its roof in the western side too. This building has kept its architecture style similar to some other buildings, and I believe it should have a new use if it gets rehabilitated.