photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Karthik Raja | all galleries >> Galleries >> Discover America >> Austin, Round Rock, Texas > University of Texas, Austin Tower
previous | next
03-AUG-2004 Jyothi Karthik Raja

University of Texas, Austin Tower


The UT Tower is 59 feet wide on each side.
- Before the observation deck was closed in the 1970's, it was visited by up to 70,000
people a year.
- The four clock faces of the tower are clad in gold leaf and measure 12 feet across.
- The UT Tower is also a 56-bell carillon, the largest and tallest carillon in Texas. The
largest bell weighs in at 7,350 pounds.
- The tower has become a symbol of Austin since its construction, almost as much as the
State Capitol.
- In August 1965 a fire started in the 20th floor bookstacks, believed to be started by
sparks from a torch, causing some books to catch on fire. There was considerable damage to the
Hoblitzelle Theater Arts Library which houses the P.T. Barnum and Harry Houdini collections.
- Tallest building built during the 1930s in Austin.
- Built as Austin's second-tallest building, the tower sparked controversy because it was
the first building to rival the State Capitol's height. Its site is 6 feet higher (606 ft above
sea level) than the capitol.
- The tower is the centerpiece of the University of Texas at Austin. In 1966 a student on
the observation deck shot and killed 13 people, hitting 30 others. The deck was closed in the
early 70's because of 2 attempted sucides from the deck and its dark history. In 1999 the deck was
reopened with guard rails in place and guided tours.

More Info

FujiFilm FinePix 3800
1/500s f/4.8 at 15.6mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
share
Guest 24-Apr-2006 06:58
architect of the UT tower is Paul Philippe Cret, he attended l'Ecole des Beaux Arts, which played a great influence in the design of the UT tower
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment