The 300-foot tall UT Austin Tower was designed by Paul Cret, and completed in 1937. It serves as a representation of intellectual excellence and individual opportunity. The tower was financed through a Works Progress Administration grant, a New Deal program created during the Great Depression.
The main building was created to house the University’s central library. The reading rooms, “Hall of Texas and “Hall of Noble Words” were connected to a central reference room. 6 seals of Texas decorated the room adorned with oak and marble.
The Tower rising 27 floors above the reading rooms contained the library’s book stacks. Clientele came in searched a massive card catalog and requested books at the front desk. The Tower librarian received the requests and often roller skated between the rows of bookshelves to retrieve the requested books. The books were then sent downstairs via a “dumb waiter” elevator to be checked out.
Needless to say as the enrollment and library holdings grew often patrons were waiting for more than a half hour to obtain their selections. The need for an open-stack library became crucial and thus the Undergraduate Library and Academic Center was constructed in 1963 and the Perry-Castaneda Library in 1977 to help service the growing need. The Main building now is used for administrative offices but students can still study in the majestic reading rooms, which hold the Life Sciences Library.
The traditions at UT associated with the UT Tower are just one of the many reasons we say UT graduates bleed orange! Carl J. Eckhardt, Jr. devised a lighting system to take advantage of its powerful architecture to publicize university triumphs and events when he supervised the construction of the Main Tower Building. One of his chief contributions to society was applying technology for human purposes.
In 1937 Eckardt’s orange lights first flooded the tower in 1937. Traditions we still follow today:
- If a number 1 shows up on all sides highlighted by orange lights then UT has won a National championship or any events at the president’s discretion!
- The full Tower glowing orange with special effects (fireworks, numbering) means celebrating commencement and other events the president deems suitable
- The Tower bathed completely in orange represents: Faculty and student academic achievements, staff achievements, Team academic team achievements, UT’s Birthday (Sept. 15), Texas Independence Day (March 2), Student organization sports club national championships and other occasions at the presidents discretion.
- The Tower white with an orange top: Football regular season victories, Football bowl game victories other than national championship and other events at the president’s discretion.
- If the tower is darkened with a white cap and observation deck (all other levels are dark, including windows) this means there is a somber occasion. UT Remembers (annual memorial service), Tower Garden dedication, significant solemn occasions and any other events at the president’s discretion.
- If the Tower is entirely white it’s the standard lighting design.
My daughter and husband are UT Graduates and when their 3 children were little I still remember them loading them in the car in their pajama’s to drive down to see the tower glow orange with a white top after a Longhorn football game win. Learning the Longhorn sign at an early age is a given. When my grandson was 2 I’d ask him how old he was and he’d flash the longhorn sign and say I’m a Longhorn! No sense fighting city hall…the heck with how old he is…. he is a Longhorn!
Approximately 15 years ago when there were only 5 grandchildren here is a photo I still love…yup…they are definitely Longhorns!
If you visit Austin a stop to see the UT Tower is a must see…..it’s a landmark that is treasured by one and all!
As always, all things Austin is brought to you as a courtesy by Dorie Dillard of Coldwell Banker United; your NW Austin Real Estate Consultant.
P.S. If you are considering the sale or purchase in NW Austin I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business and exceed your expectations. I am a recognized professional in NW Austin real estate. I’m a good listener and act, not react to your needs. I have systems in place and references at hand. Reach out to me at 512-346-1799 or email at dillard@reloaustin.com for an insightful conversation about the Austin real estate market and or the marketability of your home. I offer hands on Professional guidance for all your real estate needs.
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