History of Austin's Moonlight Towers

***2024: See an updated version of this video at • The Moonlight Towers o...
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By 1895, the City of Austin had completed its proposed water and electric distribution systems. On May 6, 1895, switches were thrown to illuminate the now-iconic moonlight towers - 31 in all - a truly historic way to mark the start of the city’s electric utility. A celebration was later held on July 4, 1895 to officially dedicate the utility.
Learn more about Austin Energy's 125-year history: austinenergy.com/go/history

[@aprilduff4572]

Currently reading an inspirational/romance/historical fiction novel by Colleen Coble. It is based in Austin, TX and she mentions moonlight towers on several occasions, so off to Google-land I went to learn about these structures! I love it when I learn something new everyday!

[@sigmasquadleader]

I remember something similar in concept from the pre-internet age. Streetlight towers inside freeway interchanges in LA County.

[@bustedkeaton]

TxDOT supposedly got the idea for lighting highways with those big ballast lights you see now from the moonlight towers

[@borntoclimb7116]

In some placess in germany, we have this

[@loganstroganoff1284]

I always wondered what the moon tower was about in dazed and confused lol now I know

[@edman813]

I always thought they were cell towers, that was my thought on the one in front of Kealing during my Middle School run.

[@PinoSilvestreOriginal]

"Alright, alright, alright .... "

[@masterofreality926]

What a pain it was to maintain them during carbon arc tech in use.

[@borntoclimb7116]

Interesting