Thursday, July 23, 2009

"The Texas Tower" Austin TX

 


Charles Joseph Whitman (June 24, 1941 – August 1, 1966), as a student at the University of Texas at Austin, killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus. Three were killed inside the University's tower and ten killed from the 28th floor observation deck of the University's 307 foot administrative building on August 1, 1966

 
JD and I posing in front of the Tower.

 
After Leanna took this photo, she announced that she was no longer interested in being seen with us on campus.

 
Hallway to the elevators. Visitors are now required to be part of a scheduled tour, pass through a metal detector, and submit to a strict "no bags, purses, or parcels" policy.

 
Over 40 years later, bullet holes are still visible where police and citizens returned fire.

 
Most of the bullet holes on the observation deck have been repaired, but the patch doesn't quite match the limestone, so they are easily seen.

 
The drainage slots and the thickness of the walls make this a virtually impregnable position for a sniper. It would have taken an extremely accurate marksman to hit him. He was killed by policemen who came to the observation deck from below.

 

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