The Dark and Mysterious History of Austin's Moonlight Towers

In the late 1800s, Austin, Texas was plagued by a series of unsolved murders, known as the servant girl annihilator case. However, this episode is not about the case itself, but rather the unique street lighting solution implemented in Austin to combat the darkness and fear of the night. The city introduced moonlight towers in 1894, towering structures designed to provide bright arc light throughout the city. While other cities abandoned these towers by the 1920s, Austin kept them due to financial constraints. Today, 17 of the original 31 moonlight towers still exist, serving as a reminder of Austin's unique history and beloved landmarks.