“Can you see the light from here?” someone once asked about the Moonlight Tower at Canterbury St. and Lynn St. This isn’t just any tower. It’s a piece of Austin’s past. It is a beacon from a time when darkness held more sway.
Austin’s Moonlight Towers are unique. They stand 165 feet tall. These towers supported outdoor lighting in Austin. This Moonlight Tower, like the others, has a 15-foot foundation. It was built to cast light far and wide.
Back in 1894, Austin bought 31 of these towers. They came from the Fort Wayne Electric Company in Indiana. Workers assembled them here. Some believed the towers arose in response to the Servant Girl Annihilator. But these towers appeared about ten years after those murders.
Initially, the Moonlight Tower used carbon arc lamps. These lamps were incredibly bright. They lit a 1,500-foot radius. Imagine reading a watch by its glow. A worker had to climb the tower to maintain these lamps.
In the 1920s, incandescent bulbs replaced the arc lamps. Then, in the 1930s, mercury vapor lamps took over. Each tower had a switch at its base. During World War II, the city installed a central switch. This allowed citywide blackouts for air raids.
By 1976, people recognized the Moonlight Towers’ importance. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places. A restoration project in 1993 cost $1.3 million. Every bolt was examined. The tower was coated, sealed, and reinforced. This extended its life.
Austin is now the only city with these Moonlight Towers. Thirteen originals still stand. This Moonlight Tower is one of them. It is a testament to Austin’s ingenuity.
The Moonlight Tower at Canterbury St. and Lynn St. has a twin. There are actually 13 others scattered around Austin. Each has its own story. They connect us to a time before modern streetlights.
Consider this. These Moonlight Towers faced skepticism. Some feared they’d affect vegetation. Others worried about their chickens. Despite doubts, they became beloved.
The towers have even appeared in pop culture. The film *Dazed and Confused* featured one. Though it was filmed on a set, the spirit remains. The “party at the moon tower” is an Austin legend.
Today, the Moonlight Tower stands as a reminder. It connects Austin’s past with its present. The city protects these towers. They are more than just lights. They are symbols of Austin’s identity. So, next time you’re near Canterbury St. and Lynn St., look up. See the light of history.