Waco, Texas

To most non-Texans, Waco is associated with the 1993 FBI standoff with David Koresch and the Branch Dividians that led to the latter group's fiery death. It's known to me as the city where my mother-in-law lives (also, Ted Nugent). When asked about the downtown area, she explained that after the tornado in 1953, the deadliest in Texas' history with 114 deaths, downtown Waco never recovered. Today there are some businesses still operating, and a popular warehouse district nearby, but downtown Waco and its surrounding area has a lot of vacancies. Let's look at those first.

The former Thomas Container Inc. Also check out some great photos of the interior (unfortunately not taken by me on this very brief photo-taking mission) here.

Below, a multilevel store. It was hard to make out the faded lettering in the blinding sun, but the sign may have said LONE STAR.

Inside the space:

Comparing the two logos below, I daresay this awning was painted freehand.

Schmidt's is one of at least four abandoned stationer/printers in the area.

Another printing casualty:

Buzze's Music is still in business! Not so for J S Barnett, although from the liquor license notice on the window, it appears a bar or restaurant will be opening there soon.

The Hub was a menswear retailer which opened in 1918 and closed less than a year ago. In the 1950s, Elvis Presley was a frequent shopper.

Interior of The Hub.

Below, looking out from The Hub to the courthouse.

Below, the oddly-named Hippodrome, which will turn 100 in 2014 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It seems to me neither "hippo" nor "drome," nor an ancient Greek racetrack (the original Hippodrome).

Looking down Austin Avenue toward Waco's distinctive Alico Building, once among the tallest buildings in the Southwest.

Below, the midcentury modern base of the otherwise-Beaux Arts Alico Building.

Now for a few of Waco's open businesses, not a chain store among them.

In the shadow of the Alico is Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe. It must be named after someone, but isn't this equivalent to naming an eatery Schmuck's or Kvetch's?

Behold, an actual customer enters the Downtown Barber Shop. It seems that barber shops have weathered the march of the chain stores better than many other independent businesses.

The outskirts of downtown Waco also have a lot of auto-related businesses.

Comments

[Mike D]

I bought a trumpet for high school band from Buzze's, and still buy all my flowers from Mr. Reed. Schmaltz's has the best fresh baked bread ever. They are trying like mad to revitalize downtown, they have built some new apartments and some lofts, but take up all the parking to do so. I have hopes that it will reclaim at least a portion of its former glory, but many of the projects are already having financial difficulties.

Nice pictures. Thanks for visiting.

[Vintage Roadside]

Great post. Always sad to see all the wonderful buildings sitting empty while everyone shops on the outskirts of town. Great photos too!

[wendyvee]

Excellent photos - both sad and beautiful.

[Chris Horner]

Cool set! Thanks for sharing.

[Brent]

Waco was always a nice town... I haven't been since '91.

I hope the Feds. vs. the people haven't set them back too far...

Whatever happened to private property rights?

[Carmen Young]

As of last week, the Waco Hippodrome is closing now as well. Unfortunately, Waco cannot seem to get the right people to decide what is needed to be done. This downtown area has so much potential and yet, there has not been anyone who has been able to get anything done. I live here and the one thing that Waco supports are restaurants. If we could get the right restaurants (like Ninfa's which we already have downtown and appears to do well) come in and take a chance, maybe some good will come of it. There is too much "Old Wacoans" that do not like change and will not let things happen here, and until, these persons have been upgraded to modern times and let change happen, Waco will never bring the "money potential" that is just sitting there "waiting to happen". I know I am one of MANY MANY people who feel the same way here. We have a great opportunity to open up this area and bring some local money into our town. It needs to happen.

[Carmen Young]

I am so tired of "Waco" getting slammed for the Mt. Carmel incident. It WAS NOT IN WACO, and it gave this town such a bad name. It was Mount Carmel, not Waco. We just happen to be the closest city so it became a "Waco" incident. When you live here and have tourists come in and associate us with that incident only and automatically pass judgement on this town, it becomes discerning to those that love this town so much. Unless you live here, and understand, that this is a great place to live, no one will think any different. I lived in Dallas and Houston, and I came back here because it is wonderful and quiet and NO TRAFFIC and mess to deal with. It's the best kept secret in the US in my opinion.

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To most non-Texans, Waco is associated with the 1993 FBI standoff with David Koresch and the Branch Dividians that led to the latter group's fiery death. It's known to me as the city where my mother-in-law lives (also, Ted Nugent). When asked about the downtown area, she explained that after the tornado in 1953, the deadliest in Texas' history with 114 deaths, downtown Waco never recovered. Today there are some businesses still operating, and a popular warehouse district nearby, but downtown Waco and its surrounding area has a lot of vacancies. Let's look at those first.

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I do not have time to read it all at the right now but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds.

[renlewei]

Thanks for this. I really like what you've posted here and wish you the best of luck with this blog!

[hometown]

I like the picture of the man headed to get his hair cut.. did you notice it must just be a trim.. he is missing most of his hair.. he looks good from the back though.. keep smiling.. things will get better for your town! Look forward to comming there someday!

[LongTimeWacoan]

As an update, downtown Waco is really growing. There are several new bars, coffee shops, galleries, restaurants, lofts, etc. It's taken a while, but things are looking bright in downtown Waco.

[Susie]

If that Thomas Container store was off of Franklin Ave. it was demolished about a month ago. Very Sad ...

[Anthony]

I'm in Austin. Looking for abandoned places to photograph in waco

[Steve menez]

We just visited from California. My wife and I saw 2 country music concerts at the hippodrome, featuring Tracy Byrd and Wynona Judd. We also went to Magnolia and the restaurants and bakeries associated with it. We went to Baylor University to watch a basketball game against West Virginia. We saw some of Baylor baseball also. We love the town. It’s a simple old American town that has character and really nice people. Things that are missing in the big cities and suberbs. Well worth visiting. Show your children a more peaceful time our country used to have.