Built in 1939 and designed by Paul Phillippe Cret, the clock tower at the University of Texas is the center of pride of the citizens of Texas, specifically the people in the University of Texas community. It will look more magnificent if the tower is seen from afar. One of the features that make the tower look in its best is the clock at the very top. The clock is 12 feet wide and it is trimmed in gold leaf. The sound that comes from tower specifically comes from the bells of the clock. The chimes play 3 times a week and it can be heard all throughout the University and maybe to nearby hotels in Austin Texas.

Here are some facts about the Clock Tower of the University of Texas:

1. Notorious Side Of The Tower

On August 1, 1966, an engineering student in the University of Texas climbed at the top of the Tower and shot people below. He killed sixteen individuals before the police officers were able to stop him. Since then, the authority of the University restricted the public to go to the top of the Tower, unless for special purposes.

http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/486.php

2. The Tower As Communication Tool And Observation Deck

The clock tower serves as an observation deck for observing weather. The Tower signals the changes in weather when the American Midwest begins to light a beacon on the Tower. It also serves as a communication tool because it informs the people below that there is a change in weather when the lights began to be visible.

http://www.answers.com/topic/clock-tower

The University of Texas (UT) tower, built in 1936, is the main masterpiece of the campus. It stands 27 stories high and its faces which measure 12 feet in diameter are gold-plated and glow whenever the campus is holding victorious celebrations.

The UT Tower Tours

Every year during summer hotels in Austin TX record higher business as the tower attracts a huge number of visitors who make twilight tours. The visitors get to see sweeping vistas of the campus as well as enjoying the beautiful view of Austin city.

http://austin.about.com/od/austinattractions/a/UT_Tower.htm

What time can one visit the towers?

Tours are offered every weekend starting from 11am-8pm. Depending on the academic schedule they can be offered on Thursday and Friday evenings. The tour charges are US$5 per tour.

http://www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/tower/schedule.php?section=ae

Other information

- Deck tours are only available on reservation which can be done online through their website or through the phone numbers 877/475-6633 for those outside Austin and 512/475-6633 for those in Austin.

- One can bring in a camera or binoculars. Bags, purses, tripods and other equipment are left behind at a price of US$1 per locker.

- Public access is only through escorted tours for safety and security reasons.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/austin/A28429.html