SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 407

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the citizens of Austin and Texans across the state in celebrating May 3, 2017, as Moonlight Tower Day; and

WHEREAS, In the late 19th century, various designs of electrical moonlight towers were erected in cities around the world, including Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London; Austin civic leaders, looking to light the city's streets with power from the newly completed Great Granite Dam, contracted with the Fort Wayne Electric Company to construct moonlight towers around the city; and

WHEREAS, The company built 31 towers, each 165 feet tall with six carbon arc lamps mounted at the top; each tower was guaranteed to provide enough light to read a watch face at 1,500 feet; the first tower was erected in the newly established Hyde Park subdivision, with the others installed strategically around Austin to light as much of the city as possible; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, several of the towers have been lost to storms, accidents, and development, but 17 continue to stand and to provide the city with light; designated as historical landmarks during the 1970s, they were prominently featured in the popular film Dazed and Confused, and a moonlight tower is the pivotal center of the annual Zilker Holiday Tree; and

WHEREAS, Austin Energy, the City of Austin's electric utility company, has maintained the towers for a century, and the company renovated the Texas State Archeological Landmarks thoroughly in 1993 at a cost of $1.3 million; with extraordinary care and expertise, Austin Energy keeps the remaining towers fully illuminated and operating today, adding to the unique spirit of Austin; and

WHEREAS, Today, Austin is the last city to feature this once-popular lighting system, and the moonlight towers have become an important link to the city's past; it is truly fitting that a day be set aside to pay tribute to these iconic Austin landmarks; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby declare May 3, 2017, as Moonlight Tower Day and call on Texans to celebrate this unique feature of the capital city; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion.

Watson

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2017.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate