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Austin's first skyscraper is simultaneously a center of pride for the community, and a symbol of the worst intentions of man. More on that in a moment. Constructed in 1939, the Spanish colonial tower and the building it protrudes from replaced the old Victorian Gothic Main Building. It was supposed to be a library, but ended holding offices and classrooms. This new building retained the name "Main Building" and also the old building's penchant for ornamentation. It is easy enough to admire the UT Tower from afar, but standing in its shadow, or inside one can spend hours pointing out the minute touches that make this an architectural treasure. The most evident of those touches is the clock. Each of its four faces is 12 feet wide and trimmed in gold leaf. The time is controlled by an IBM computer in the Service Building. A clock wouldn't be complete without bells, and in addition to sounding standard chimes, the UT Tower is a carillon. Three times a week the instrument is played and its music can be heard all over campus. It was originally designed for 39 bells, but budget constraints kept the university to just 17 until 1985 when 22 more were donated by Hedwig Thusnelda Kinker. Her donation was greatly appreciated, except that the C# and B bells did not fit into the elevator. To make up for the missing notes the university added 17 more for a total of 56 bells. The building also has a notorious side, thanks to Charles Whitman. On 1 August, 1966 the architectural engineering student climbed to the top of the tower and began shooting people. He killed 16 before police were able to kill him. At the time it was one of the deadliest rampages in American history. Since that incident, access to the tower itself has been occasionally restricted. Sometimes the observation deck will remain closed for months or even years. As of August, 2002 it was open again, but you should call before you go to make sure. More than just a building or a musical instrument, the UT Tower is also a communication tool. The way television stations in the American Midwest light a beacon on a tower different colors to signify approaching weather, the UT Tower is also illuminated as a news source.

• The first song played on the UT Tower's carillon was "The Eyes of Texas."
• 1965 - The tower catches fire when crews are installing air conditioning ducts
• June, 2001 - A plan is announced to build a memorial to the 16 people killed by a sniper at the UT Tower. The Tower Garden will be constructed next to the tower in an area known as Turtle Pond.
• February, 2002 - The lighting pattern at the University of Texas tower changed. The tower is regularly illuminated in different patterns of orange and white to indicate things like sports victories. Now a white top and orange shaft will mean the university has received an academic honor; football victories will have an orange top and white shaft; and the tower will be all orange for victories over Texas A&M, September 15th, and national championships. All other days the tower will be completely white.
• Previously, It was lit in all orange for commencement, football victories over rival college Texas A&M, certain tournament championships, Independence Day, and Texas Independence Day. It was lit orange with a white number "1" at the discretion of the college president or when a varsity sport won a national championship. The top of the tower was lit orange for other sports victories, or orange and white for ties.

Photograph © Wayne Lorentz

Photograph © Wayne Lorentz