Main Building and UT Tower - The Campus Landmark

Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

A stop on UT Austin Campus Walk, a free self-guided tour.

Stand on the Main Mall and look up. The Main Building and its 307-foot Tower were designed by the Philadelphia architect Paul Cret and finished in 1937 on the highest point of the original campus. They replaced Old Main, a Victorian Gothic building that had served the university since 1882 and was torn down over the protests of many students and faculty.

Read the words carved across the front: Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free, a verse from the Gospel of John. Near the top, a carillon of 56 bells plays across campus.

At night the Tower speaks in light. Since 1937 it has glowed orange to celebrate the achievements of students, faculty and teams. An orange Tower with a white number 1 in its windows means a national championship. A darkened Tower with only its white top lit marks solemn occasions. If you are here after dark, look up and see which message it is sending.

Getting here: Begin on the Main Mall in front of the south face of the Main Building, at the top of the steps leading down to the South Mall.

Did you know?: The Tower's 56-bell carillon is the largest in Texas.

Photo op: Step back toward the edge of the Main Mall and shoot upward to fit the whole Tower, clock and all, against the sky.

More on Wikipedia: Main Building · Paul Philippe Cret · University of Texas at Austin

Main Building and UT Tower - The Campus Landmark

Stops on this tour