Canvas Collections

On my way to Imaging USA 2011 this year, I took the time to stop off at the former site of the Waco siege, in Waco, TX. From the moment I turned off the highway I started to get an weird feeling, part unsettling, part apprehensive, part fearful, and part worried of getting myself arrested for trespassing. Hey, one has to be careful these days, just saying you are a photographer is worth less than a cup of joe.

The former compound is located approximately 9 miles from Waco and is located on a desolate, lonely stretch of road. When I arrived two workers were finishing up a stone wall entrance to the compound and seemed like friendly folks. When I asked for permission to take pictures, they waved me in; I wonder if they really knew what I was there for since it seemed they did not speak English.

At the very back of the property there is a double wide mobile home with a prominent NO TRESPASSING sign, so I did not enter that area.

I recall vividly the images as they were streamed across the television in 1993, as the siege went on for 51 ending in the fire that took the lives of so many innocent people, including 23 children.

I have no intention of debating the issue of who is to blame, who fired first, only to show respect for all those that lost their lives.

This is the foundation of the church’s vault, this is the place that the 23 children died when the building above them collapsed.

This is another image of the vault, off to the far right you can see what remains of the swimming pool.

This is the new Davidian Church that was recently built on the site of the Davidian Siege.

Another view of the vault area in which women and children died when the building collapsed.

This is the lake or pond that sits directly across from where the compound was located.

This monument stands outside the new church.

Another view of the Davidian Church

This is a stone monument remembering the victims of the Oklahoma Cit Bombing and the four ATF agents who were killed on February 28, 1993.

Another monument erected from the stones of the original compound.

80+ trees have been planted along the roadway in remembrance of all the Davidians who lost their lives during the 51 day assault.

This is the Museum that sat along the roadway for several years ago the siege.

Another image of the museum.

This is the Branch Davidian Memorial that is nearing completion. Each stone used to reside at the base of one of the trees.

A monument listing each individual who died at Mount Carmel.

Another view of the Memorial.

Entrance to the Mount Carmel site in Waco, Texas.