“Meet me out at the moontower!” Does that sound familiar? In 1993’s “Dazed and Confused,” the Moonlight Tower – Zilker Park was already an Austin icon.
Before modern streetlights, there was the Moonlight Tower. It was a 19th-century solution for lighting the city. Once, these towers were common. Today, Austin’s are the only ones still standing.
Austin’s Moonlight Towers represent a unique time in history. In 1894, Austin sought to modernize. It ordered 31 lighting towers. Electricity was new. Many feared the constant light. They thought it would harm crops and animals. Despite concerns, the towers were switched on in 1895.
Each Moonlight Tower is 165 feet tall and weighs two tons. A triangular metal lattice sits on a 15-foot pole. Guy wires secure it. The Zilker Park tower is special. Since 1965, it has become Austin’s Christmas Tree. Over 3,300 lights create a conical tree. People spin beneath it, dizzy with delight.
These towers provided light over a wide area. They could illuminate a 3,000-foot circle. It was said you could read a pocket watch by their light. Today, only 17 towers remain. Austin is the sole city still using such a system. They are on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.
Initially, towers used carbon arc lamps. Workers lit these lamps twice a day. They used a hand-operated elevator. Later, incandescent and mercury vapor lamps were installed. Now, the lights are automated.
The Zilker Park Moonlight Tower is easy to visit. It’s near the volleyball courts. The park offers many activities. You can kayak, paddleboard, or attend events. At night, the tower casts a gentle glow. It creates a unique ambiance. Families picnic. Photographers capture images. Stargazers admire the sky.
These towers were fueled by gasoline vapor. This proved dangerous. In 1925, the city switched to electric lights. Other cities like Detroit and San Jose had similar towers. Austin is now the only city still operating them.
Preserving the Moonlight Tower is a priority. In the 1990s, the city spent $1.3 million to restore them. The Zilker Park tower becomes the Zilker Holiday Tree each year. A 155-foot tree is lit with 3,159 bulbs atop the tower.
The Zilker Park Moonlight Tower embodies Austin’s innovative spirit. It offers a glimpse into the city’s past. This towering structure lights up Zilker Park and the imaginations of all who visit.