![](https://towers.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/The_Austin_American_Mon__Dec_11__1967_tree-e1577220593588.jpg)
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.
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.”
![](https://towers.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/Austin_American_Statesman_Fri__Nov_1__1974_.jpg)
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
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$675,000
1702 S Lamar BLVD #28
Austin, TX -
$1,649,000
2511 Ridgeview ST
Austin, TX -
$3,697,000
702 Kinney Ave Ave
Austin, TX -
$3,300,000
1812 Dexter ST
Austin, TX -
$1,999,000
1703 Garner Ave
Austin, TX -
$510,000
1900 Barton Springs RD #2046
Austin, TX -
$900,000
1900 Barton Springs RD #5026
Austin, TX -
$675,000
1900 Barton Springs RD #5027
Austin, TX -
$2,495,000
1313 Spyglass DR
Austin, TX -
$475,000
1135 Barton Hills DR #247
Austin, TX -
$1,325,000
1529 Barton Springs RD #27
Austin, TX -
$699,000
1600 Barton Springs RD #2405
Austin, TX -
$539,000
1600 Barton Springs RD #5508
Austin, TX -
$950,000
1504 Bluebonnet LN
Austin, TX -
$974,900
1600 Barton Springs RD #3504
Austin, TX -
$825,000
1604 Nash Ave #B
Austin, TX -
$499,000
1501 Barton Springs RD #105
Austin, TX -
$549,900
1600 Barton Springs RD #6405
Austin, TX -
$1,500,000
1604 Nash Ave #A
Austin, TX -
$2,850,000
1501 Hillmont ST
Austin, TX -
$825,000
1909 Westridge DR
Austin, TX -
$1,925,000
1809 Ford ST
Austin, TX -
$549,900
1900 Barton Springs RD #3047
Austin, TX -
$549,999
1900 Barton Springs RD #5020
Austin, TX -
$320,000
1240 Barton Hills DR #102
Austin, TX
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Lot Size1,307 sqft
Home Size1,264 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2.5 Baths
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Lot Size8,168 sqft
Home Size2,135 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths3 Baths
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Lot Size10,625 sqft
Home Size3,758 sqft
Beds5 Beds
Baths3.5 Baths
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Lot Size9,845 sqft
Home Size3,468 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths4.5 Baths
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Lot Size8,495 sqft
Home Size3,102 sqft
Beds5 Beds
Baths4 Baths
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Lot SizeN/A
Home Size837 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
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Lot Size1.87 ac
Home Size1,296 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2 Baths
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Lot SizeN/A
Home Size1,019 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2 Baths
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Lot Size19,123 sqft
Home Size2,554 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2.5 Baths
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Lot Size2,527 sqft
Home Size1,019 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths1.5 Baths
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Lot Size4,853 sqft
Home Size2,802 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths3.5 Baths
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Lot Size728 sqft
Home Size1,133 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths1.5 Baths
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Lot Size480 sqft
Home Size743 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
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Lot Size6,230 sqft
Home Size1,310 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths1.5 Baths
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Lot Size976 sqft
Home Size1,520 sqft
Beds3 Beds
Baths2 Baths
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Lot Size2,997 sqft
Home Size1,000 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths2.5 Baths
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Lot Size2,396 sqft
Home Size903 sqft
Beds2 Beds
Baths1 Bath
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Lot Size567 sqft
Home Size863 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1.5 Baths
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Lot Size6,848 sqft
Home Size2,200 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths3.5 Baths
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Lot Size10,237 sqft
Home Size2,987 sqft
Beds4 Beds
Baths3.5 Baths
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Lot Size10,625 sqft
Home Size1,615 sqft
BedsN/A
BathsN/A
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Lot Size14,981 sqft
Home Size2,338 sqft
BedsN/A
BathsN/A
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Lot SizeN/A
Home Size900 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
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Lot Size345 sqft
Home Size780 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
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Lot Size1,503 sqft
Home Size761 sqft
Beds1 Bed
Baths1 Bath
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