In 1973, Zilker’s Holiday Tree Went Dark

A view from under the Zilker tree printed in the Statesman the first year it was lit in 1967. Image: Austin History Center

The lighting of the 155-foot tree at Zilker Park fashioned from one of the city’s iconic moonlight towers is the most visible sign of the holiday season’s arrival in Austin. The tree itself dates back to 1967, with the Zilker celebration now known as the Trail of Lights dating back even further to a “Yule Fest” event first held in 1965. 

A photo of the Zilker tree taken in the 1970s. Image: Austin History Center

But in 1973, the nationwide energy shortage caused by that year’s oil crisis kept the tree dark, with city officials scaling down Yule Fest 1973 to daytime events not requiring extra lighting. “Scrooge would have been proud,” opined Austin American-Statesman columnist Larry BeSaw, bemoaning the “Ghost of Energy Crisis Present.” 

An article in the Austin-American Statesman announcing the return of the Zilker tree in 1974. Image: Austin History Center

But that ghost was quickly banished the next year, with the Zilker tree returning along with limited other decorative lighting around the city in 1974 — no longer “depriving our citizens of Christmas spirit,” according to chairman Richard Whorall of the city’s Energy Conservation Commission. The tree’s stuck around ever since, even staying lit when budget concerns caused the cancellation of the Trail of Lights event in 2010 and 2011. This time of year just doesn’t feel quite right without it.

Zilker Park homes for sale

• $500,000 1600 Barton Springs RD #5204
  Austin, TX
• $895,000 1501 Barton Springs RD #230
  Austin, TX
• $1,650,000 1611 Bauerle Ave
  Austin, TX
• $699,900 1600 Barton Springs RD #2103
  Austin, TX
• $1,950,000 1905 Kerr ST
  Austin, TX
• $2,500,000 1907 Collier ST
  Austin, TX
• $1,175,000 1000 Kinney Ave #A
  Austin, TX
• $850,000 1205 Kinney Ave #1205J
  Austin, TX
• $1,200,000 2013 Ashby Ave #B
  Austin, TX
• $598,000 1135 Barton Hills DR #136
  Austin, TX
• $3,950,000 1121 Bluebonnet LN
  Austin, TX
• $3,990,000 2509 Ridgeview DR
  Austin, TX
• $435,800 1205 Hollow Creek DR #201
  Austin, TX
• $2,550,000 1700 Dywer Ave
  Austin, TX
• $449,000 1205 hollow creek DR #202
  Austin, TX
• $5,250,000 1302 Garner Ave
  Austin, TX
• $1,950,000 1815 Brookhaven DR
  Austin, TX
• $825,000 1708 Collier ST
  Austin, TX
• $1,350,000 1822 Treadwell ST
  Austin, TX
• $6,000,000 1703 Michael ST
  Austin, TX
• $440,000 1135 Barton Hills DR #355
  Austin, TX
• $675,000 1702 S Lamar BLVD #28
  Austin, TX
• $1,649,000 2511 Ridgeview ST
  Austin, TX
• $3,195,000 1812 Dexter ST
  Austin, TX
• $490,000 1900 Barton Springs RD #2046
  Austin, TX

1600 Barton Springs RD #5204
Austin, TX

$500,000

Lot Size

N/A

---

Home Size

681 sqft

---

Beds

1 Bed

---

Baths

1 Bath

---

1501 Barton Springs RD #230
Austin, TX

$895,000

Lot Size

4,034 sqft

---

Home Size

1,537 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

1611 Bauerle Ave
Austin, TX

$1,650,000

Lot Size

5,694 sqft

---

Home Size

2,130 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

1600 Barton Springs RD #2103
Austin, TX

$699,900

Lot Size

719 sqft

---

Home Size

1,117 sqft

---

Beds

2 Beds

---

Baths

2 Baths

---

1905 Kerr ST
Austin, TX

$1,950,000

Lot Size

16,989 sqft

---

Home Size

2,746 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

1907 Collier ST
Austin, TX

$2,500,000

Lot Size

7,502 sqft

---

Home Size

3,182 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

4.5 Baths

---

1000 Kinney Ave #A
Austin, TX

$1,175,000

Lot Size

5,097 sqft

---

Home Size

1,849 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

1205 Kinney Ave #1205J
Austin, TX

$850,000

Lot Size

3,211 sqft

---

Home Size

2,089 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

3.5 Baths

---

2013 Ashby Ave #B
Austin, TX

$1,200,000

Lot Size

N/A

---

Home Size

2,077 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

1135 Barton Hills DR #136
Austin, TX

$598,000

Lot Size

2,963 sqft

---

Home Size

1,204 sqft

---

Beds

2 Beds

---

Baths

2 Baths

---

1121 Bluebonnet LN
Austin, TX

$3,950,000

Lot Size

7,184 sqft

---

Home Size

3,694 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

5 Baths

---

2509 Ridgeview DR
Austin, TX

$3,990,000

Lot Size

10,599 sqft

---

Home Size

3,665 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

4.5 Baths

---

1205 Hollow Creek DR #201
Austin, TX

$435,800

Lot Size

7,597 sqft

---

Home Size

664 sqft

---

Beds

1 Bed

---

Baths

1 Bath

---

1700 Dywer Ave
Austin, TX

$2,550,000

Lot Size

8,103 sqft

---

Home Size

3,085 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

4.5 Baths

---

1205 hollow creek DR #202
Austin, TX

$449,000

Lot Size

7,406 sqft

---

Home Size

672 sqft

---

Beds

1 Bed

---

Baths

1 Bath

---

1302 Garner Ave
Austin, TX

$5,250,000

Lot Size

11,078 sqft

---

Home Size

4,361 sqft

---

Beds

5 Beds

---

Baths

5.5 Baths

---

1815 Brookhaven DR
Austin, TX

$1,950,000

Lot Size

14,506 sqft

---

Home Size

2,642 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

3 Baths

---

1708 Collier ST
Austin, TX

$825,000

Lot Size

6,887 sqft

---

Home Size

812 sqft

---

Beds

2 Beds

---

Baths

1 Bath

---

1822 Treadwell ST
Austin, TX

$1,350,000

Lot Size

12,764 sqft

---

Home Size

2,280 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

2 Baths

---

1703 Michael ST
Austin, TX

$6,000,000

Lot Size

1.55 ac

---

Home Size

4,646 sqft

---

Beds

3 Beds

---

Baths

4.5 Baths

---

1135 Barton Hills DR #355
Austin, TX

$440,000

Lot Size

1,991 sqft

---

Home Size

809 sqft

---

Beds

1 Bed

---

Baths

1.5 Baths

---

1702 S Lamar BLVD #28
Austin, TX

$675,000

Lot Size

1,307 sqft

---

Home Size

1,264 sqft

---

Beds

2 Beds

---

Baths

2.5 Baths

---

2511 Ridgeview ST
Austin, TX

$1,649,000

Lot Size

8,168 sqft

---

Home Size

2,135 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

3 Baths

---

1812 Dexter ST
Austin, TX

$3,195,000

Lot Size

9,845 sqft

---

Home Size

3,468 sqft

---

Beds

4 Beds

---

Baths

4.5 Baths

---

1900 Barton Springs RD #2046
Austin, TX

$490,000

Lot Size

N/A

---

Home Size

837 sqft

---

Beds

1 Bed

---

Baths

1 Bath

---

• 1600 Barton Springs RD #5204
  Austin, TX
  

  $500,000
  Lot Size

  N/A

  ---

  Home Size

  681 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  1 Bed

  ---

  Baths

  1 Bath

  ---

• 1501 Barton Springs RD #230
  Austin, TX
  

  $895,000
  Lot Size

  4,034 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  1,537 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 1611 Bauerle Ave
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,650,000
  Lot Size

  5,694 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,130 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 1600 Barton Springs RD #2103
  Austin, TX
  

  $699,900
  Lot Size

  719 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  1,117 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  2 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2 Baths

  ---

• 1905 Kerr ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,950,000
  Lot Size

  16,989 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,746 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 1907 Collier ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $2,500,000
  Lot Size

  7,502 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  3,182 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  4.5 Baths

  ---

• 1000 Kinney Ave #A
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,175,000
  Lot Size

  5,097 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  1,849 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 1205 Kinney Ave #1205J
  Austin, TX
  

  $850,000
  Lot Size

  3,211 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,089 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  3.5 Baths

  ---

• 2013 Ashby Ave #B
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,200,000
  Lot Size

  N/A

  ---

  Home Size

  2,077 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 1135 Barton Hills DR #136
  Austin, TX
  

  $598,000
  Lot Size

  2,963 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  1,204 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  2 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2 Baths

  ---

• 1121 Bluebonnet LN
  Austin, TX
  

  $3,950,000
  Lot Size

  7,184 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  3,694 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  5 Baths

  ---

• 2509 Ridgeview DR
  Austin, TX
  

  $3,990,000
  Lot Size

  10,599 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  3,665 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  4.5 Baths

  ---

• 1205 Hollow Creek DR #201
  Austin, TX
  

  $435,800
  Lot Size

  7,597 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  664 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  1 Bed

  ---

  Baths

  1 Bath

  ---

• 1700 Dywer Ave
  Austin, TX
  

  $2,550,000
  Lot Size

  8,103 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  3,085 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  4.5 Baths

  ---

• 1205 hollow creek DR #202
  Austin, TX
  

  $449,000
  Lot Size

  7,406 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  672 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  1 Bed

  ---

  Baths

  1 Bath

  ---

• 1302 Garner Ave
  Austin, TX
  

  $5,250,000
  Lot Size

  11,078 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  4,361 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  5 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  5.5 Baths

  ---

• 1815 Brookhaven DR
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,950,000
  Lot Size

  14,506 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,642 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  3 Baths

  ---

• 1708 Collier ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $825,000
  Lot Size

  6,887 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  812 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  2 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  1 Bath

  ---

• 1822 Treadwell ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,350,000
  Lot Size

  12,764 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,280 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2 Baths

  ---

• 1703 Michael ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $6,000,000
  Lot Size

  1.55 ac

  ---

  Home Size

  4,646 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  3 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  4.5 Baths

  ---

• 1135 Barton Hills DR #355
  Austin, TX
  

  $440,000
  Lot Size

  1,991 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  809 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  1 Bed

  ---

  Baths

  1.5 Baths

  ---

• 1702 S Lamar BLVD #28
  Austin, TX
  

  $675,000
  Lot Size

  1,307 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  1,264 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  2 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  2.5 Baths

  ---

• 2511 Ridgeview ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $1,649,000
  Lot Size

  8,168 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  2,135 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  3 Baths

  ---

• 1812 Dexter ST
  Austin, TX
  

  $3,195,000
  Lot Size

  9,845 sqft

  ---

  Home Size

  3,468 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  4 Beds

  ---

  Baths

  4.5 Baths

  ---

• 1900 Barton Springs RD #2046
  Austin, TX
  

  $490,000
  Lot Size

  N/A

  ---

  Home Size

  837 sqft

  ---

  Beds

  1 Bed

  ---

  Baths

  1 Bath

  ---

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