Artificial Moonlight in "The Hip Zip" 78704

In the wake of a series of horrific murders, the city of Austin purchased 31 enormous towers to light the city streets from on high. The 165 foot towers cast a glow "bright enough to read a watch by" in a 1,500 feet (460 meter) radius around each tower. Despite early concerns about plants growing out of control and animals never sleeping, the towers quickly became beloved symbols of the city and have defied the odds of the years with 17 of them lit nightly still to this day.
In 1884 the population of Austin was just about 23,000 people. Although other cities had begun the process of electrification, Austin remained lantern lit after dark. However this would change when over the next year, the city was shaken by a series of late night murders.
After the deaths of two women the killer was named the "Servant Girl Annihilator" by the local press, who covered the crime scenes in grisly detail. By Christmas 1885 there were five women dead, three others injured, and no viable suspects. All of those attacked had been black women, and blame in the press was pointed squarely within the Austin black community. On that night two more women were killed, nearly at the same time. Both were white women, at home with their husbands.
On Christmas Day a panicked citizen's meeting was held about the safety of their community. Police patrols were increased, and the installation of electric "Moonlight Towers," like some already in use in Detroit, was planned. Curiously, the murders stopped after that Christmas night.
The towers were purchased second-hand from Detroit and were not actually installed until 1894 long after the murders had stopped. They were first lit on May 3, 1895 in a gala celebration.
A major restoration of the towers was conducted in 1993 in time for their 100 year anniversary. The 17 remaining towers are now a Texas state landmark, and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They are now also the last moonlight towers in the world.
Of the 17 remaining towers 2 of the originals and 1 replica are located in “The Hip Zip 78704." One is located in Stacey Park at Eastside Drive and Leland and the other is at South First and W. Monroe. The is replica located in Zilker Park and used each year as the center pole for the “World’s Biggest Artificial Christmas Tree.”