Branch Davidian Memorial - Waco Texas
Branch Davidian Memorial
This was a different stop than all the others on my trip. The feel or vibe completely different. Heavy. Eerie. Maybe even dark.
I recalled from TV the coverage, but we were over our head with young children at the time. The details never sunk in.
I had no idea what to expect. The signage immediately gave me a very strange feeling. “Beware of dog!!” At a memorial? Or “ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK”. “Not responsible for any injuries or damages to your person, your family or guests, your pets or vehicles while visiting Mt Carmel Memorial Park its grounds or buildings.” Ominous?
There was one other vehicle there and they left when they saw me. I didn’t stay long. I did not fly the drone here.
The original Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, no longer exists, as it was destroyed in the 1993 siege. Today, Mount Carmel operates as an open-air memorial.
There is a small church built by the current Branch Davidian community, which serves as a visitor center. Near by is a grove of trees initially planted to honor the 82 members who died.
The property (according to the website) includes visible slabs, outlines of the former buildings, and markers identifying where specific events took place.
A few dozen Branch Davidians, who now disavow David Koresh, still live in a small cluster of mobile homes and a newly constructed church nearby.
The site felt bad and ugly. Twisted. Cultish. Sinful. Eerie. Silent. Dark.
