On our inaugural trip with the Gypsy Wagon from Victoria-Houston-Minden, LA-Mansfield, LA-Hennessey, OK and back home, we found several gems along the way. Minden was new to us, and so was driving the camper. After some debate, we decided to stay at Lake Bistineaux State Park, just south of Minden. The park was gorgeous, and all that we might expect in a state park. Tons of trees, quiet as it was mid-week. We actually extended our visit an extra day, and chose to commute the hour to Mansfield for one extra day rather than leave.
When we knew we needed to stay close to Minden, as that’s where our potential client introductory meeting was, we looked for things to do, and found that Bonnie & Clyde’s shootout and death took place nearby. So, after our visit to the potential client, we took off for the museum in Gibsland, LA. When we pulled into town, we were a little surprised at how small the town was. In retrospect, I don’t know why. Bonnie & Clyde wreaked havoc in towns both big and small.
The Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum is located in the building that Ma Canfield’s Cafe was in. The morning of May 23, 1934, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow stopped at the diner. Clyde went in, ordered a fried bologna sandwich for himself, and a BLT for Bonnie (who waited in the car) “to go”. They got back on the road, and made it 7-1/2 miles before they were finally ambushed.
The museum has a replicated car “the death car”, mannequins inside and all. It has a scene that is the two of them lying side by side in a medical facility, with all of their injuries from the hail of bullets documented. There are letters upon letters, including letters to each other, letters from Clyde to home, even a letter from his mother to a law enforcement officer requesting the return of the guns he had carried in those last days. The space is small, and it feels as if every surface is covered with memorabilia. I found this odd juxtaposition between criminals who had kidnapped and murdered people, stolen cars and money… and this twisted love story of two people wanting to sail off into the sunset – in a hail of bullets. In life, they got the ending they wanted. In death, not so much. Bonnie’s mother refused her daughter’s dying wish to be buried next to Clyde Barrow (Clyde’s family was also against it). Bonnie is buried in Crown Hill Memorial in Northwest Dallas, although she was moved there later. Originally she was buried in Fish Trap Cemetery in West Dallas. Clyde is buried in Western Heights Cemetery in West Dallas, with his brother, “Buck”.
Their families have spoken many times about moving Bonnie again, to be buried with Clyde. As of this writing, it hadn’t happened yet, but we’ll see what the future holds.
After our visit to the museum, we followed the directions to the death site.
The story of Bonnie and Clyde has been told many times, in many ways. A google search will lead you to plenty of sites where you can read the different interpretations of their lives. I may come back and add to this post some, but for now, that was our visit to the Ambush Museum and their Death Site.
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