The University of Texas Tower is a 307 foot tall multistory building, built in 1937. It is Austin's first skyscraper and is a part of the city's history now. Built by architect Paul Cret from Philadelphia, the UT Tower often serves as the most recognized landmark for the University of Texas. Take a tour of this historic building to discover hidden architectural and sculptural treasures.

Architectural Details: One of the most notable features in the UT Tower is the grand stairway leading to the south entrance to the main building with 7 arches. Other features to admire are the ceiling decorations, Academic Room in the second floor, reading rooms in the Life Science Library, spectacular views from the south porches of the Capitol, and the beautiful lamps and light fixtures all throughout the building.

The Tower Garden: The UT Tower Garden is host to many special events all though the year. These events are mostly dedicated to occasions like the infamous shooting on August 1, 1966 when an ex student by the name of Charles Whitman went on a shooting rampage in the Tower and other parts of the University killing 14 people and wounding 32 more.

Music at the University of Texas Tower: One of the most interesting attractions in the Tower is the music "performances" by Tom Anderson 3 days a week at the practice room of the main building. Tom is actually the carillonneur who plays the tower carillon with 56 bells every 15 minutes from 6am to 9pm. This part of the tower is open for public for weekend tours all throughout the day.

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.

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2. The Tower As Communication Tool And Observation Deck

The clock tower serves as an observation deck for observing Austin TX 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.

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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 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?

The Austin 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.

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