Support Us Button Widget
City

Buford Tower repairs complete two years after fire damage

The historic fire drill tower in Downtown Austin has been restored with new windows and updates to its brick and concrete plinth.

October 30, 2023 • 
London Gibson
Buford Tower in Downtown Austin, with the sun setting to the left.

Downtown Austin’s nearly 100-year-old Buford Tower is now cared for by the Austin Parks and Recreation department.

Photo by richlv, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More than two years after a fire engulfed it in flames, the historic Buford Tower is now fully restored.

The six-story building — a 1930s-era firefighting training tower on Cesar Chavez Street downtown — was damaged in April 2021 by a fire that spread to it from a nearby encampment.

As a result, the tower’s brick, concrete plinth, indoor electrical components, and carillon chimes needed repairs. The building also required window and landscaping replacement.

This isn’t the first time the tower has been restored. The building was last revamped in 1978, the same year it was renamed in honor of former Austin Fire Department captain James Buford.

The tower is on the National Register of Historic Places — learn more about its history.

More from ATXtoday
A black-and-white photo of four team members standing outdoors, wearing matching branded shirts and caps, posing confidently in front of a stone wall with trees in the background.
How to give back with OutdoorJack
The home services company helps single mothers, veterans, and older Austinites with yard work that would otherwise be difficult to undertake alone.
December 19, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
ATXtoday-Austin-Motel-Google-Maps-December-2024.jpg
History
“Somewhere on Google Maps” in Austin
The “somewhere on Google Maps” trend is running rampant on social platforms — let’s try it out in the Capital City.
December 18, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Kids standing in front of a table at the Thinkery.
Play
Kid-friendly activities in Austin
We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Austin has to offer, complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.
December 18, 2024
 · 
STAFF
A collage featuring a diverse group of people, including Fran Harris, Adam Walker, The Tiarras, Richard Rhodes, Destin George Bell, Ben Duong arranged with vibrant overlays in red, blue, and purple tones on a textured background.
Culture
9 of our favorite interviews from 2024
We spent 2024 doing what we do best — chatting with Austinites who are making our fair city a better place.
December 17, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Two hands holding glasses of orange-colored craft beer, raised for a toast in an outdoor setting. The scene features a cozy beer garden with trees, string lights, picnic tables, and a mix of casual seating in the background. The ambiance is relaxed, with the evening sky transitioning from day to dusk, and people are sitting around, enjoying the space.
Food
Your ultimate guide to Austin breweries
Sip your way through the Capital City at these 15 local breweries.
December 16, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Fireworks exploding over the Google building and other skyscrapers in Downtown Austin.
Culture
25 conversations you want to have in 2025
Tell us what local knowledge you want to gain in 2025, and we’ll investigate until we find your answer.
December 16, 2024
 · 
STAFF
A single-story building with curved, layered walls made using 3D-printing technology, featuring a metal gabled roof, large glass windows, and a surrounding landscaped area with pathways and parking spaces.
Business
ICON unveils 3D-printed Innovation Center at Camp Mabry
The 3D-printing construction company partnered with Camp Mabry to bring fresh buildings to the home of the Texas National Guard and the Texas State Guard.
December 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A colorful assortment of macarons arranged in a decorative gift box, featuring flavors in vibrant hues like blue, yellow, red, and brown against a red and patterned backdrop.
Food
Where to get holiday cookies in ATX
Treat Santa (or your loved ones) to some gourmet goodies from local bakeries this year — they’re a present all their own.
December 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The iconic Hi, How Are You mural off of Guadalupe Stree.
Culture
Which locations around Austin deserve a historical marker?
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Austin?
December 12, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A vibrant mural with the text "Greetings from 78666 San Marcos" featuring illustrations of a yellow rose, a historic city hall, and other local landmarks integrated into the zip code. The mural is painted on a red wall with a small sign on the bottom right indicating sponsorship.
Play
Get in — we’re going to San Marcos, Texas
The Mermaid Capital of Texas, home to Texas State University, and riverside town is a great place to take a day trip — we’ve got all the spots to hit when you visit.
December 11, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi