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Road Trip to Mt. Carmel and the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas - October 4, 2006


Waco, Texas has a population of approximately 120,000. It is the county seat of McLennan County. Waco is named after the Huaco Indians, the first inhabitants of the area. In 1837, the Texas Rangers arrived in the area in what had now become known as Waco Village. The Rangers were supposed to build a fort to defend settlers from attacks from the local Comanchee Indians, but they decided that the outpost was too far in the wilderness to defend and a fort was never built. In 1848, two years after Texas was granted statehood, Waco Village was sold to a group of businessmen from Galveston. In 1849, surveyor George B. Erath laid out the first streets of Waco. The town became a popular hub of commerce and a stop along the Chisolm Trail. All major cattle drives went through Waco. In 1870, the largest suspension bridge in the south was built in Waco. The bridge still stands today and is a major tourist attraction in Waco. The bridge spans the Brazos River and was built on the old camping sites of the Huaco Indians. The railroad arrived in the 1870's and Waco became a center for shipping agricultural goods and wares. In 1886, Baylor University opened its doors and is a major learning institute in Texas. Today, with much of it's wild west days behind it , Waco is now mostly known for being the city where the soft drink Dr. Pepper was invented and for being the location of Mount Carmel, the infamous home of the Branch Davidians and their prophet, David Koresh.

The Branch Davidians are a sect from the 1930's that descended from a schism in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The problems started when Victor Houtleff, a prominent Adventist in Los Angeles, published a book saying that the church had become lax. Houtleff split from the church as did other followers and he started the Branch Davidians. He died in 1955 and his wife took control of the group. When the end of the world did not happen on Easter in 1959, as she predicted, the group split once more and George Rodan took control in the early 1960's. And then, in 1990, David Koresh became the leader of the Branch Davidians.

David Koresh was born Vernon Wayne Howell in Houston, Texas. At the young age of 12, Koresh showed a keen interest in the bible, being able to memorize large parts of it. He dropped out of high school and eventually went to Hollywood to become a rock star. When that failed, he joined the Branch Davidians in 1981. Koresh rose quickly in the ranks of the Davidians and eventually would be the main instigator in a power struggle for control of the Davidians. The power struggle turned violent with Koresh leading a number of his followers on a planned, armed attack on Roden's headquarters. Both sides were armed and Rodan was wounded in the fight and Koresh and his followers were arrested. All were acquitted of the charges brought against them. It was at this point in 1990 that Koresh took absolute control of the Branch Davidians.

The Branch Davidian compound in Waco had been owned by the Davidians for many, many years. It was originally used as a bible study and spirtual retreat. Koresh moved the entire group to the site in 1990. When Koresh took control of the Davidians he annulled all the marriages of his followers proclaiming himself an angel and a prophet of God. Therefore, only he could be married. Several members of the group left and contacted the local authorities, telling them that Koresh beat the children and was having sex with underage females. Several local government agencies investigated but could never confirm the charge. It was at this point that Koresh convinced his followers that the end of the world was near. The Davidians began planning for that day. Underground bunkers and shelters complete with tunnels were built. The Davidians also bought an old yellow school bus and loaded it up with arms and ammunition. They buried the bus underground next to the bunkers. Koresh told his people that the Apocalypse would begin when the American army attacked the Mount Carmel compound.

The showdown began on Sunday, February 28, 1993 when ATF agents attempted to arrest Koresh on charges of possesion of illegal firearms and explosives. Gunfire erupted and four agents were killed and sixteen wounded. Some of the Davidians were killed and several wounded. David Koresh was wounded in the leg. A stalemate quickly ensued and negotiations went on for 51 days during which time several children were released to the authorities. Finally, on Monday, April 19, the U.S. government attacked the compound with tear gas. They used armoured vehicles to smash holes in the buildings and then suddenly the entire compound was on fire and a nation watched in horror as the Branch Davidian compound burned to the ground. 82 died in the fire, including 20 children. Some of the Davidians that did survive are now or were in prison on various charges relating to the incident. After numerous lengthy investigations by the U.S. government, no government official or agency has been charged with any wrong doing in connection with the Branch Davidian disaster.

Two years later, on April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh would plant a truck bomb in front of the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City. The explosion would kill 163. McVeigh went to his death proclaiming that his act of terrorism was an act of revenge for the Branch Davidians.

As you will see, some of the structures of the original compound are still standing and there are members of the Branch Davidians still living at Mount Carmel. They started rebuilding after that fateful day. They are still rebuilding.



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