Hildale From Outer Space

Have I said this before? That I would be a rich man if only I’d started a wall-building company in Short Creek five years ago? As camera crews from all over the world invaded the twin towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona chasing the story of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs and his FLDS followers, the people of the community found ways to preserve their privacy. Like building walls around their homes. I think this desire for privacy from prying eyes is a natural thing, whether or not you’re living an illegal lifestyle. The walls have always fascinated me and I’ve spent a lot of time photographing them. There are amazing photographs that could be made in the FLDS community. But for all the time I’ve spent photographing, those amazing photos always seem to be just out of reach. There are a number of reasons for that. One is the distance. It’s been difficult for me to travel that far south for any length of time this year. I was in Short Creek last month for just a single day. It felt good to get the rental car coated in red, rusty dust as I drove around town. But the trip was too short. This morning I’m at home in my slippers cruising the streets of Short Creek, thanks to technology. I just noticed that Google Maps has recently upgraded their satellite coverage of Hildale. You can now zoom in with extreme clarity and count the number of trampolines in backyards behind the privacy walls. They haven’t upgraded the coverage of Colorado City yet so on the Arizona side things get really fuzzy, as this screenshot shows: I’m still not seeing any people outside, but once I’ve got the kids’ lunches made and sent them off to school this morning I’ll pour myself a bowl of Lucky Charms and take another quick trip through Hildale.