Austin's Moonlight Towers
historical marker
Austin's Moonlight Towers, located in Travis County, Texas, are designated by this historical marker erected in 1993 by the City of Austin and the Texas Historical Commission. These distinctive structures, installed in 1894 and 1895, formed Austin's first electrical public street lighting system. The City of Austin purchased 31 surplus towers from Detroit in 1894. Manufactured by Fort Wayne Electric Company, they were assembled on site. Each tower stands 165 feet tall, originally holding six carbon arc lamps. These lamps illuminated a 1,500-foot radius, providing light similar to a full moon. Power came from electric generators at the Austin Dam, completed in 1893. Austin's Moonlight Towers are the world's only known surviving examples of this lighting system. They were recognized as Texas State Landmarks in 1970 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. A $1.3 million city restoration project for the towers was completed in 1995. These towers remain a unique historical feature of Austin.