A 100-foot concrete tower is pictured in ruins recently at the polygamous Yearning For Zion Ranch in West Texas. Courtesy JD Doyle

FLDS mystery: Tower at Texas polygamous ranch demolished

The Associated Press

First Published Jul 26 2012 11:13 am • Last Updated Jul 26 2012 11:26 am

San Angelo, Texas • A new 100-foot concrete tower at a West Texas polygamist ranch has been torn down.

The San Angelo Standard-Times reports Schleicher County officials do not know why secretive polygamist members dismantled the seemingly finished structure.

Justice of the Peace James Doyle said Wednesday that an airborne friend noticed rubble at the Yearning For Zion Ranch. Doyle, who’s a pilot, then did a flyover July 19 and confirmed the tower was demolished.

Sheriff David Doran says Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints members worked on the tower for the past year.

Officers in 2008 raided the private ranch. Leader Warren Jeffs was convicted of sexual assault of two underage brides and sentenced to life in prison. Ten followers were convicted on child sex and bigamy charges.

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