4. TYLER MUNICIPAL ROSE GARDEN Established in 1952 420 Rose Park Drive Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Tyler’s most famous landmark is the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.  Twenty-one acres, hosting over 450 varieties of roses, are the focal point of the city known as “The Rose Capital of America”.  Among the pathways are numerous ornamental fountains and fixtures.  Officially established in 1952, the Rose Garden was the result of 30 years of effort to place the “Tyler Rose” into national prominence.  In 1953, Rose Festival activities began taking place in the floral setting of the gardens.  The Tyler Rose Garden has been designated as one of the 24 National Test Gardens in the United States to which over 100 new patented roses are introduced and tested annually.

6. BERGFELD PARK & AMPHITHEATRE Established in 1913 1510 S. College Avenue South Broadway from 2nd to 4th Street Mr. Rudolph Bergfeld, a prominent Tyler businessman, owned the land in 1882.  In 1909, he donated the land to the City of Tyler, but the site was not developed until 1913.  In giving the land, Mr. Bergfeld stipulated that it was to be used exclusively as a public park.  In 1935, funds were donated by Gen. R.E.Woods, president of Sears, Roebuck & Company, for construction of an amphitheatre.  The first two Rose Festival Coronations (1933 & ’34) were held in the park, while the festivals of 1936-39 took place in the General Woods Amphitheatre.  Today the park is the center of enjoyment with play equipment, tennis courts, and picnic areas within the 8.32 acres of land.

7. CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING Built in 1904 125 S. College Avenue National Register of Historic Places Industrialist and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, granted funds to the City of Tyler for the construction of a library.  Completed in 1904, this building served as Tyler’s public library until 1980 and remains one of the few original Carnegie Libraries in Texas.  Unique features include the domed ceiling in the meeting room and arched stage in the auditorium.  In 1982, the building was renovated to accommodate the archives of the Smith County Historical Society, as well as a historical museum.  Public exhibits are continually being collected for permanent and rotating displays.  The auditorium is available for public use.

8. SWANN-MOORE-DENNARD BUILDING Built in 1913 408 N. Broadway Avenue Tyler’s only example of Chicago architecture, the Dennard Supply Company building, is a noteworthy example of an early 1900’s commercial brick building with detailed masonry work.  It was built in 1913 by T.E. Swann for his furniture and undertaking business.  Upon completion, the five story structure was the largest in Tyler with floor space of approximately 6,000 square feet per floor.  In 1918, A.P. Moore purchased the property for his Moore Grocery Company, and in 1956 it became Dennard Supply.

10. TYLER’S WOMAN’S BUILDING Built in 1932 911 S. Broadway Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places In 1931, several of Tyler’s women’s organizations were in need of a permanent headquarters for entertaining and study purposes.  The property at 911 S. Broadway was donated by Judge S.A. Lindsey with the stipulation that a building be constructed within one year.  With great community support, money and materials were raised to complete the building in 1932.  The three story Federal style building contains party and sitting rooms, a large kitchen, an auditorium, and on the top floor, apartment space.  The auditorium was the site of high school graduation parties, piano recitals and Town Hall meetings.  Throughout the years, the Tyler’s Woman’s Forum has continued to offer a gracious setting for civic and social events.

12. JUDGE THE FLORIST Built in 1931 1215 S. Broadway Avenue Nestled in a floral setting, the Judge The Florist building is an attraction for Tylerites and visitors alike.  Its history dates back to 1915 when the land was purchased by Mr. Eugene Watts Judge.  There was a greenhouse on the property which had served as a small scale business of selling plants.  The present structure was built in 1931 and has been remodeled to accommodate a “growing” business.  In 1958, Jane and Jack Greer, daughter and son-in-law of Eugene W. Judge, assumed responsibility and continued operations until 1977.  Through two subsequent owners the building remained a floral business.  In 2003, the building was purchased and restored for a private residence.

13. OAKWOOD CEMETERY Established in 1846 400 N. Palace Avenue West Oakwood at North Palace Texas Historic Cemetery Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Oakwood is the original cemetery utilized by the public of Tyler and Smith County and is the final resting place for many notable individuals including Governor Richard B. Hubbard, his mother, and second wife.  Other Tyler pioneers interred are Major James P. Douglas, John G. Woldert, Rudolph Bergfeld, Samuel A. and William J. Goodman, Senator Horace Chilton, Judge Stephen Reaves and Judge Micajah H. Bonner, Mayor John H. Bonner and Texas House Speaker Thomas R. Bonner.  A Confederate marker was erected in 1907 to the memory of the 231 Confederate soldiers buried in Oakwood.  The oldest marker is that of Peter S. Ramsour and the most unusual inscription is for Katie Bannon, “Erected by Henry Reynolds – her affianced”.

22. TYLER LITTLE THEATRE Opened in 1939 1014 W. Houston When it opened in 1939, this art deco complex designed by Shirley Simons became the new home of the Tyler Little Theatre.  It was built with funds from private donations, the City of Tyler, and the Works Progress Administration.  Ray Woodney Parks designed the interior and landscape while architect Sam Brown, Jr. designed the gardens.  Unable to continue its productions in wartime, the theatre closed.  The Congregation Ahavath Achim purchased the complex in 1943, converting it into a synagogue after some modification that included a new staircase and kitchen.  They remained in the building until 1984, when it was sold to Bethel Church.  After a short time, this community church outgrew its space and sold the property.  In 1989, the fiftieth anniversary of its opening, the old Tyler Little Theatre building once again became the hub for artistic expression and interaction as the Midtown Arts Centre.  It is presently being used as a church.

25. BONNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Built in 1917 235 S. Saunders Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark The present Bonner Elementary was the second elementary school of that name built in Tyler. The original one, built in 1904, was demolished and replaced by this Chicago style building in 1917 and has been occupied continuously since that time.  The concrete construction of its front entrance was a standard feature of the period, more frequently used in industrial architecture.  A new wing and cafeteria were added in 1931.  The school is named for T.R. Bonner, a community leader and distinguished citizen who served as railroad promoter, church member, and speaker of the Texas Legislature.  He and his family are remembered in his historic landmark home, a street of the same name, and a large stained glass memorial window in Marvin United Methodist Church.

26. 1881 SMITH COUNTY JAIL (a.k.a. LEWIS HOTEL) Built in 1880-1881 309 E. Erwin Street Recorded Texas Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places Constructed in 1880-81 as the third Smith County jail, this structure was the first public building erected in the county after the Civil War.  It is an example of Second Empire and Italianate style architecture.  It served as a jail until 1916, when it was sold to Jefferson Y. Lewis, a former jailer who renovated the building and converted it into a hotel.  Major modifications were made in 1933 as a result of the housing shortage that accompanied the discovery of the East Texas oil field. Although Lewis died in the 1950’s, members of his family continued operating the hotel.  The restoration of the building began when Historic Tyler, Inc. purchased the property in 1986 and removed the 1933 front and stabilized the building.  In 1992, Randal Gilbert restored the property to its present appearance and converted it to law offices.

27. GARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Built in 1908 730 S. Chilton Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Gary Elementary School was Tyler’s fourth elementary school when it was built in 1908, following the construction of Marsh (1889), Douglas (1902), and Bonner (1904), the last of these also being a historic landmark.  Because the original building was constructed of white stone, considered very modern at the time, the St. Louis architect claimed that the white walls made lighting fixtures unnecessary.  In 1924, the original building was replaced by what is now the west wing of Gary Elementary School.  The new building contained eleven classrooms and an auditorium. A decade later, a cafeteria and two classrooms were added.  Subsequent additions over the next forty years added classrooms, an auditorium and gymnasium.  The school is the namesake of Franklin Newman Gary, a South Carolinian who came to the Tyler area in 1850.  He practiced law here before joining the Confederate army and attaining the rank of Captain.  Gary supported the public education movement and was a generous and public-spirited citizen.  He died in 1886.

30. THE B.W. ROWLAND-LIEBREICH BUILDING Built in 1888 100 and 104 W. Erwin Street The B.W. Rowland-Liebreich Building’s original structure was built in 1888.  Commonly referred to now as “Rick’s on the Square”, the building is located on the original site of the El Ranch Saloon.  The site is noted for a regionally famous shooting during the reconstruction era involving local citizens and law officials.  The portion of the building now located at 100 W. Erwin was the home of the East Texas Conservatory of Music, established by Ms. Estelle Burns.  Ms. Burns, nationally recognized for teaching “voice culture” was recognized in New York City as the head of the Vocal Department of the National Academy of Music Art.  Through adaptive reuse, the current owner, Rick Eltife, has restored the structure to its original condition and operates a restaurant and club in the structure.

35. ARRATT-ODD FELLOWS BUILDING Built 1907 220½ W. Erwin The Arratt-Odd Fellows Building is a wood frame and brick structure which is categorized as Romanesque with arched windows.  The structure was built by Judge T. Brown Ramey in 1907.  Most of the materials used in the construction are from buildings torn down in Tyler, some of these buildings dating back to the 1880’s.  The windows are from the Methodist Church that was located on this site and are over 100 years old.  The prominence of this is seen on the top floor where only minor changes have been made during 90 years of existence.  The Odd Fellows purchased this building in January, 1912, from Judge Ramey for $16,000.  Many businesses and organizations have occupied the ground floor.

43. THE U.S. POST OFFICE AND COURTHOUSE Built in 1933 211 W. Ferguson National Register of Historic Places This masonry, brick, granite, and limestone structure was constructed in 1933 in the Classical Revival style.  The Federal Building was dedicated on August 4, 1934,as both the U. S. Post Office and Courthouse.  The Federal Building/United States Post Office/Courthouse in Tyler, Texas, is significant as a symbol of the Federal presence in Tyler.  The passage of the Public Buildings Act of 1926 precipitated a period of building construction that was unprecedented in the United States.  Shirley Simons, Sr., local architect, designed the Federal Building in Tyler.  Many of the Federal buildings of this period exhibit streamlined, almost austere finishes and features, as evidenced in the streamlined Classical Revival design of the Federal Building.

48. JAMES S. HOGG MIDDLE SCHOOL Built in 1929 920 S. Broadway Avenue National Register of Historic Places James S. Hogg Middle School was designed by Bryan and Sharp Architects of Dallas, Texas, and opened as James S. Hogg Junior High School in September, 1930.  Hogg Middle School is located in Tyler’s Azalea District on approximately 8 acres of land and is an example of the classical architecture used for schools during this time period.  Hogg Middle School was named for James Stephen Hogg, the nineteenth governor and first native governor of Texas.  He was a firm supporter of public education.  Mr. Hogg was born in Rusk, Texas, on March 24, 1851.  He moved to Tyler in 1882, serving as District Attorney, and in 1886 became the Attorney General of Texas.  In 1890, he ran for governor and won, and was re-elected in 1892.  After his terms in office ended in 1895, he moved to Austin, where he died in 1906.  Hogg Middle School is currently a prominent middle school in the Tyler Independent School District and hosts over 600 students, along with an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Pilot Program.

57. CITY PARK SPRING POND Constructed in 1941 200 West Queen Avenue The City Park was purchased from Mrs. Fannie Heffler on September 26, 1930, for $4,000.00. It is located on a 1.85 acre site and is one of the oldest parks in the city. A natural spring is located within the park. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a wading pond of natural iron ore rock to contain the fresh spring water. They constructed a small ledge for citizens to sit on as they cooled their feet in the natural spring water. The original gate valve for controlling the flow of water out of the pond is still working and is in use. This wading pond was constructed long before there were any community or city pools within the city. The date etched into the cement of the pool is 1941, so it is assumed that was the construction date. In addition to the WPA iron or rockwork in the wading pond, picnic tables, benches, bridges, a sandbox, and a lined creek through the park were constructed. The City Park underwent a facelift in the late 1990’s with the installation of a new irrigation system, a covered pavilion, and new picnic tables. However, the spring pond remained hidden and forgotten behind dense brush on the edge of the park until recently, when City employees began clearing in this area. The Spring Pond is historically significant to Tyler and the United States because it represents a period of our history when our nation was making every effort to put people back to work following the Great Depression. The WPA work within the City Park is a fine example of the many WPA projects within Tyler that needs to be recognized and preserved.

l. MARVIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Built in 1890
300 W. Erwin St
National Register of Historic Places
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

The Marvin United Methodist congregation can trace its origins to the first generation of Tyler.  As early as 1848, the Methodists had formed their own church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Tyler.  In 1891, the name Marvin Methodist was adopted in honor of Bishop Enoch Mather Marvin, a Confederate Army chaplain who had visited Tyler after the Civil War.  The cornerstone for this Gothic Revival structure was laid in 1890 and was a monumental project for its time.  Constructed with elaborate brickwork, limestone trim, steeple and exquisite stained glass windows in the sanctuary, Marvin Methodist Church was known locally as the “Cathedral of the West”.

2. SAINT JAMES CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Built in 1891
408 N. Border Avenue
National Register of Historic Places

St. James C.M.E. is a significant monument to those pioneer members who established this church in 1891.  As the oldest of church buildings for blacks in Tyler and Smith County, St. James C.M.E. has served as a major religious center as well as tending to the needs of the community.  In answering the need for a community facility to accommodate large audiences, St. James was the site for many social and educational events.  For many years, school commencement exercises, school plays, cultural presentations and social gatherings were held in the church.  A new sanctuary was added in 1982 and the original building, an excellent example of American Georgian architecture, is currently used as a Sunday School facility and fellowship hall.

19. CATHERDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Built in 1934
423 S. Broadway Avenue

The Spanish Colonial Revival style is most evident in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that dominates the intersection of West Front Street and South Broadway.  It was built in 1934 as the second home of the Tyler Catholic community that had outgrown its old frame building some blocks to the north.  As part of the parish’s centennial celebration in 1978, interior modifications were made in keeping with liturgical changes.  At the same time, the typical rounded arches, as seen at the front entrance and in the stained glass windows, were repeated in the newly constructed, compatible arcade.  In 1987, Tyler became the seat of a new twenty-six county diocese. Immaculate Conception was consecrated as a cathedral whose first bishop was Charles E. Herzig.

24. BETHLEHAM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Established in 1866
1121 W. Lollar Street

The church at the corner of Lollar Street and Ross Avenue is the home of a faith community that was formed in 1866 as the First Baptist Church (colored) after its members had been transferred by the pastor and officials of the First Baptist Church (white).  The community first worshipped in the basement of the Smith County Courthouse.  As it grew over the years, it moved several times. In 1891, a new church was built on West Front Street, the first brick church in Texas to be built by African-Americans.  Under the leadership of the Rev. M.T. Waters, the present site was purchased in 1928 and the community sold its West Front Street property, where the last service was held in February, 1931.  After the community moved to its new permanent church at the present location in 1933, this edifice continued to serve them until 1985, when a new annex was added.

36. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Built 1911
301 W. Ferguson
Recorded Texas Register of Historic Places

The congregation began as the first church meeting in Tyler on April 8th, 1848, with eight original members.  As Tyler was a village of a few hundred souls all living within the vicinity of the town square, the Baptist Church, which met in the log cabin courthouse, called its members to the service by blowing a ram’s horn.  In 1908, the congregation decided to construct a larger church. It was under construction from 1911 until 1913, at which time the church held the dedication.  This structure is Beaux Arts style featuring four large brick and plaster columns with Palladian pediment above. The church auditorium was under construction from October, 1909, until its completion in March, 1913.  It is one of the few examples of Beaux Art architecture in East Texas. It was updated in 1937, 1973, and 1990.  The exterior and interior of the building are basically unchanged in form and function from their original purpose.

3. RAMSOUR HOUSE Built circa 1862 504 E. Charnwood Street National Register of Historic Places Early pioneer Andrew Hosea Ramsour operated the first flour and grist mill in Tyler.  He acquired land in 1861 on which he built a home for his wife and six children.  The original house was of the “dog trot” style, with kitchen and bedrooms separated by an open hall.  The foundation was constructed from tree trunks cut from the immediate vicinity and the entire structure was built with very few nails. Two fireplaces remain as well as five original doors that show hand hewn marks. With additions and remodeling over the years, the house now has a Classic Revival appearance.  The distinctive iron fence surrounding this house is one of Tyler’s more recognizable landmarks.

5. BONNER-WHITAKER-McCCLENDON HOUSE Built in 1878 806 W. Houston Street National Register of Historic Places Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Built for Harrison and Martha Bonner (Mattie), this home was remarkably self-sufficient with its own gasification power plant.  The original grounds encompassed more than two hundred acres, which included a grass tennis court on the south lawn.  In 1907, the home was bought by Mattie’s sister, Annie Bonner, and her husband, S.S. McClendon.  The home remained in the McClendon family until 1981, when the property was deeded to the Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House Society.  Since then, extensive renovation has been undertaken on the Eastlake Bracketed Victorian structure and surrounding lawn.  The house is open to the public for tours and social and civic functions.  It is the birthplace of Washington news correspondent Sarah McClendon.

9. RAMEY-GRAINGER HOUSE Built in 1903 605 S. Broadway Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places Mr. Thomas Brown Ramey established his jewelry business on the downtown square around 1875.  He and his wife were well known for their civic activities and public commitment.  In the 1890’s they purchased the property at 605 S. Broadway and completed construction of this home in 1903.  The floor plan and architecture are prime examples of the Georgian style.  The Rameys had two children and their son, Judge Thomas B. Ramey, became a prominent leader in the field of education.  The home was occupied by the Ramey family until 1980, when the law firm of Grainger-Price bought and restored it to its original architectural splendor with adaptive re-use as a law office.

11. GOODMAN-LeGRAND HOUSE Built in 1859 624 N. Broadway Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places One of Tyler’s most recognized landmarks is the Goodman-LeGrand home.  In 1859, Captain Samuel Smith began construction of a one story, four room house.  He sold his “Bonnie Castle” just before leaving for service in the Confederate Army.  Later, in 1866, the home was sold to Dr. Samuel A. Goodman for his son, Dr. William J. Goodman.  Through numerous enlargements and renovations, the present Classical Revival style was completed in 1926.  The home remained in the Goodman family until the death of Mrs. Sally Goodman LeGrand in 1939.  She bequeathed the home to the City of Tyler.  In 1998-99, the City did extensive renovations and today it is open for public tours and as a meeting place, with original furnishings of the Goodman family remaining throughout the house.

12. JUDGE THE FLORIST Built in 1931 1215 S. Broadway Avenue Nestled in a floral setting, the Judge The Florist building is an attraction for Tylerites and visitors alike.  Its history dates back to 1915 when the land was purchased by Mr. Eugene Watts Judge.  There was a greenhouse on the property which had served as a small scale business of selling plants.  The present structure was built in 1931 and has been remodeled to accommodate a “growing” business.  In 1958, Jane and Jack Greer, daughter and son-in-law of Eugene W. Judge, assumed responsibility and continued operations until 1977.  Through two subsequent owners the building remained a floral business.  In 2003, the building was purchased and restored for a private residence.

14. PATTERSON HOUSE Built before 1854 1311 W. Oakwood Street Recorded Texas Historic Landmark The original owner of this property was John Lollar, one of the men commissioned to select the town site for Tyler in 1845.  Lollar acquired the land from Governor Henderson in 1846 under a land grant provision decreed during the Texas Republic years.  In 1854 he sold his home to Dr. James C. Moore and in 1871, it was bought by John M. Patterson and remained in the Patterson family until 1964.  In 1882, the home was remodeled to its present Queen Anne style with additional modifications made by subsequent owners.

15. WOLDERT HOUSE Built in 1906 604 Woldert Street John G. Woldert, a German immigrant, came to Texas in 1839.  He prospered in business and eventually moved to Tyler where he built a home on this site between 1854 and 1865.  He had two daughters and five sons, one of whom was Alexander, the founder of Woldert Canning Company and Woldert Peanut Products.  Alexander built this three story Classic Prairie style home during the years of 1898-1906.  Interesting features include stained glass windows, steam heating through a boiler in the basement and a copper voice tube that connected the kitchen to Mr. Woldert’s room.  In 1983, the home was sold to Charles Clark, who renovated the building for adaptive re-use as legal offices.

16. BARTON-VANDERPOOL HOUSE Built circa 1930 440 S. Vine Avenue National Register of Historic Places The Barton-Vanderpool House is architecturally a Classic English Tudor.  The exterior is a rustic masonry with herringbone bond brick and large volcanic or pumice stones set in the masonry.  The second story is designated with a half timbered effect.  The property was owned by the J.W. Bartons, who sold it to J.C. Hawkins in 1934.  In 1945, it became the property of Milton R. Vanderpool, owner of the Ideal Baking Company of Tyler, who resided there until 1961.  In recent years, the Vine Street area has seen activity in the adaptive reuse of older homes to commercial and office space.

17. McCORD-BLACKWELL HOUSE Built circa 1884 1320 N. Bois D’Arc Avenue This three story Queen Anne house is one of the oldest in Tyler and was the home of Felix J. and Gabinella McCord in 1895.  Felix McCord served as State District Judge of the Seventh Judicial District Court from 1884 until 1896.  In 1922, the home was sold to Mr. and Mrs. James T. Blackwell.  Blackwell was an engineer with the Cotton Belt Railroad since 1904.  In 1965, he sold the property and it was used as a multi-family rental dwelling until it was severely damaged by a fire in 1984.  The home was restored in 1985 and today it serves as H.I.S. House, a non-profit hospice organization.

18. LITTLEJOHN HOUSE Built circa 1911 313 E. Charnwood Street National Register of Historic Places Samual W. and Anna Ray Beall Littlejohn built this house about 1911 so their four daughters could attend Tyler schools.  Their father, manager of Chronister Lumber Company in Cherokee County, continued to commute to the mill by train.  Originally, it was a frame house with a porch roof on two sides at the first story level.  After a 1913 fire, the house was rebuilt and later, in 1930, remodeled to its present Southern Colonial style.  In place of the old porch roof, two story columns were added and the exterior bricked.  Many features still retained date back to the original house, among them pocket French style doors and curly pine woodwork collected and milled especially for this house from locally grown timber.  The house remained in the Littlejohn family until the death of youngest daughter Mildred in 1983.  It changed hands several times and currently is a law office.

20. BONNER HOUSE Built circa 1888 625 S. Vine Avenue Originally a two story dwelling, this house was built in the Queen Anne Victorian era in the Classical Free Style about 1888 by attorney John T. Bonner on the former homestead of his father T.R. Bonner, Speaker of the Texas Legislature and community leader.  In 1926, the upper story caught fire as the result of an electrical malfunction and the house was reconstructed as a single story structure.  Among its many significant features are a traditional Queen Anne turret, curved glass windows, and stained glass windows.  The house was restored in 1989.

21. CONNALLY-MUSSELMAN HOUSE Built circa 1904 700 S. Broadway Avenue Recorded Texas Historic Landmark National Register of Historic Places Walter Connally, a successful Tyler businessman, built this gracious house for his family between 1904 and 1908.  He employed Dallas architects Hubbell and Green and is remembered for his meticulous recording of costs associated with this construction project.  Solid horizontal lines of the house are reminiscent of the square, Italianate Style, but some of “Texas Prairie” is also evident.  Contemporary status symbols – thick leaded windows, beveled glass, stained glass windows – are used throughout the house.  The interior is greatly influenced by the Craftsman style with wide use of exposed oak and birch and a variety of styles in fireplace mantels.  The house remained a Connally home for three generations until 1978, when it was purchased by the current family.

23. FLORENCE HOUSE Built in 1911 700 N. Moore Avenue Architect J.H. Bothwell built this Georgian style residence in 1911 for Edward Everett Florence and Blanche Bailiff Florence.  It was a seven room cottage with front and rear galleries, gable roof and brick chimneys.  Later the property was sold to the Rev. E.E. Cleveland, Jr. and Martha Josephine Cleveland and served as a prayer sanctuary until the owners decided to leave Tyler.  In 1977, the Tyler Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority purchased the house to serve as sorority headquarters.

28. WOLDERT-SPENCE-HEATON MANOR Built circa 1884 611 W. Woldert Street John George Woldert married Alma Edilina Richter, both originally from Saxony, in 1850. They moved to East Texas in 1859 and raised a large family.  Woldert purchased the residence that later became this stately home.  It is likely that two small houses were located on this site, in the dog-trot style, and in early 1884 consolidated into one single story structure.  Between 1910 and 1918, the house underwent a major remodeling that added a second story when granddaughter Alma Mary came here to live with her new husband, Robert Spence.  He became Mayor of Tyler and she a poet, and they remained part of the city’s life for many years.  After his death in 1965, a decade later than hers, the house became rental property and was eventually sold in the early 1980’s.  The Queen Anne Victorian house had declined considerably by the time Patricia and Richard Heaton purchased it in 1992 for restoration as a bed and breakfast.

29. BIRDSONG HOUSE Built in 1931 518 W. Mockingbird Lane National Register of Historic Places Fred and Mae Birdsong came to their new house on Mockingbird Lane in 1931 with three daughters.  Mrs. Birdsong knew much about beauty.  She was a charter member of the Rose City Garden Club, wrote a book about wildflowers, and created a beautiful garden of camellias and azaleas where tea parties were popular.  In 1957, the family remodeled the house, enclosing a side porch, eliminating grillwork on the front porch and adding a bathroom.  After Mr. Birdsong’s death the house was sold to Dr. J. Paxton Hart and Jean E. Hart, who resided there from the 1970’s until 1991.   The home remains a private residence.

31. THE MORRELL-PINKERTON HOME Built in 1863 415 E. Charnwood National Register of Historic Places The Morrell-Pinkerton Home was built by D.B. and Laura Morrell in 1863.  The structure is representative of the American Victorian building boom of the late 1800s.  It embodies characteristics of a simple Queen Anne style, including asymmetrical porches, high pitched gables, and fish scale shingles, which were typical of East Texas homes during the mid to late 1800s.  Among the more than 10 owners over its 133 year lifetime were such prominent leaders as Judge S.A. Lindsey and the Gus Pinkerton family.  The E. Littlejohn family rented this home while awaiting the building of their larger residence further up Charnwood.  The house has remained in remarkably unchanged and original condition with restoration efforts completed.

32. WILLETT-BRYANT HOME Built in 1932 621 S. Fannin National Register of Historic Homes The Willett-Bryant House is a wood frame (clapboard) structure that is categorized as Early Classical Revival.  It utilizes elements from the Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival periods with the columns supporting the full facade porch and the dentil molding being dominant features.  The home was built by Bob Collins for Mrs. Willett in 1932 when building in most parts of the country was limited by the Great Depression.  Mr. & Mrs. L.E. Bryant owned the home from 1938 to 1993, when they moved to Tyler to establish Barqs Bottling Company.  Mr. Bryant served as a Director of Peoples National Bank for 50 years.  The current owners are descendants of the Bryants.

33. SALEH-WITT HOME Built in 1931 1208 S. College Avenue National Register of Historic Places The Saleh-Witt House is a stucco structure which is categorized as Spanish Colonial Revival. The home was built by Hobart Plunkett for newlyweds George and Rose Saleh in 1931.  The Saleh family was longtime candy merchants and tobacco merchants in Tyler who are still actively contributing to the community.  It is said that this house was one of the first built in Tyler in the Spanish Colonial style, which was so popular in California.  The home was owned by John and Willie Witt from 1950-1969.  Mr. Witt is remembered by many as “Doc”, director of the municipal and school bands.  Music lessons were often taught in the sunroom (study) of this home.

34. FAIR HOME Built  1927 1505 S. Robertson The R.W. Fair house was originally built at 905 S. Chilton in 1927.  The eclectic brick structure was the first home built by R.W. Fair at this location.  The Fair’s early family life was spent in this home when their sons Wilton and James were young children.  R.W. Fair was one of the leading citizens of Tyler and a primary force in the development of the city in this century.   In 1937, in order to build a larger residence, the house was sold and moved six blocks away to 1505 S. Robertson, where it is presently located.

37. MATHIS-ALBERTSON HOME Built 1888 823 S. Palace Avenue The Mathis-Albertson Home is a wood frame home which was built by J.M. Mathis in 1888. A carpenter/builder by trade, Mr. Mathis worked on such well-known homes and buildings as Marvin Methodist Church and the Goodman Home.  In 1931, the home became the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, Hattie Earle and Otto James Albertson.  Otto Albertson was Chairman of the Smith County Road Commission, a member of Tyler City Commission (now known as the City Council), and a member of the Administrative Board of Marvin Methodist Church for over 60 years. He owned a business, E. Albertson Sons, on the downtown square.  His father, Elif Albertson, owned the first Opera House in Tyler.  The Albertson’s daughter, Dorothy Earle Albertson, lived in the house until 1996.  The home is an excellent example of Queen Anne architectural style with its asymmetrical designs, fish scale shingle siding, and porches decorated with fancy “gingerbread” posts and balusters.

38. LINDSEY-OWENS HOME Built 1926 902 S. College Avenue National Register of Historic Places The Lindsey-Owens Home was built in 1926 as a classic American “cottage” style house with the entrance being typical of the Greek Revival Architecture used during the 1920s to enhance the home’s appearance.   Judge Sam A. Lindsey purchased the entire block of land in 1914, building this house for his two sisters-in-law in the 1920s and donating the northeast portion of the block for the Tyler Woman’s Building in 1931.  Mr. and Mrs. (C. B.) Jack Owens, for whom Owentown was named, were owners of the home from 1944-60.  This home sits in the heart of the Azalea District, a site from which many of the gardens can be viewed.  The house and surrounding area also feature historically significant WPA drainage projects.

39. POLLARD HOME Built in 1935 801 Troup Highway Texas State Senator Thomas G. and Edna Pollard built the two-story brick home in 1935.  Architect Shirley Simons, Sr. designed the house in the Georgian style and gave it his signature round window above the front door.  He also added stars above the front door and over the drawing room mantel, which indicated that it was the home of a State Senator.  He initiated laws during the oil boom which still regulate and control the oil industry in East Texas today.  Edna Pollard wrote and published a book about his life entitled “The Man From Edom”.  Landscape architect Maurice Shamburger, early pioneer in the use of azaleas in Tyler, designed the formal gardens which have been recognized by the Smithsonian.

40. WITHERUP HOME Built in 1932 212 West Dobbs Street National Register of Historic Places Marian L. Witherup built the masonry structure in 1932. Architecturally, it is a combination English Country with English Tudor influence.  Well-known Tyler architect Shirley Simons, Sr., used rough timbers among the brick to give the two story structure its unique Elizabethan Revival style.  The house sits on the property, which was originally owned by Judge Lindsey, a portion of which was donated for the Woman’s Building.   Running through the property is the historically significant WPA drainage project, masonry walls, a stone-lined well, and beautiful azalea gardens.  It sits in the heart of the Azalea District.

41. BOREN HOME Built in 1908 806 S. Broadway Avenue National Register of Historic Places This Craftman style Bungalow was built in 1908.  John Parker and Walter Connally remodeled an older home in celebration of the marriage of Mr. Parker’s daughter, Bettie, to Mr. Connally’s nephew, Oswald Mac Boren.  Mrs. Gretta Brokaw Connally and Oswald Boren’s mother, Bertha Brokaw Boren, were sisters.  Mr. Boren was in the abstract business and during the East Texas oil boom he became very successful, at which time he built a much larger brick home at 720 S. Broadway.  In 1934, Louise, their only daughter, became the second Tyler Rose Queen and the first Tyler native to reign over the Tyler Rose Festival.  It was here that the first Queen’s Tea was held.

42. LINDSEY HOME Built in 1895 416 East Charnwood National Register of Historic Places This modest Queen Anne wood frame home was built in 1895.  The house was the first home of Judge Samuel A. Lindsey, a very prominent Tyler citizen. He was a teacher, lawyer, and catalyst for the birth of Gulf States Telephone Company.  Judge Lindsey served one term in the Texas legislature, was a Smith County Judge, and served as chairman of People’s Bank.  He owned the land where the Woman’s Building was constructed and donated that land for its construction.  Therese Lindsey, his wife, was a poet and instrumental in establishing the Poetry Society of Texas.

44. JAMES HOME Built in 1940 322 West Fifth Street National Register of Historic Places Built by Louis and Clara James in 1940, Mrs. James was proud of the fact that she designed the home. Mr. James was an oil and gas attorney who was active in the Smith County Bar Association. The house is a masonry, two story, Classical Revival style structure with Greek Revival influences. The front entry, which faces Fifth Street, is dominated by the portico that is supported by four classic columns. The paneled door with the elliptical fan and sidelights are representative of the details in the grand homes being built in the Azalea District during this period.

45. SMITH-BUTLER HOUSE Built in 1890 419 W. Houston Street National Register of Historic Places Rev. Thomas P. Smith built this Queen Anne style home in 1890.  He was the son of Dr. L.W. Smith, a noted physician serving as a surgeon in the Confederate Army in Tyler. Rev. Smith married Mary Bell Long, the daughter of Captain Richard B. Long of the Confederate Army-the Texas Infantry.  Rev. Smith was a prominent minister of the Methodist Church. He and his wife had no children of their own but raised several orphan children, giving them the advantages of a Christian upbringing and education in their home. Rev. Smith died in Marshall, Texas, on February 14, 1900.  Mrs. Smith lived in the house until 1904, when she sold it to Judge Roy Butler.  Judge Butler and his wife raised their two daughters in the house.

46. CHILDERS HOUSE Built in 1929 625 W. Dobbs Street National Register of Historic Places Only three owners have lived in this house built in 1929.  Albert Childers built the house for $6,000 as a wedding present for his wife, Lucille.  She resided in the home for 66 years until she sold it in 1995.  It sold again in 1999.  The house has been described as one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture found outside the state of California.

47. FITZGERALD HOUSE Built in 1898 815 S. Broadway Avenue National Register of Historic Places The Fitzgerald House was occupied by three generations of the same family for nearly a century. It was originally constructed in 1898 for the family of Henry B. Marsh.  After living in the house for a few years, the Marsh family sold the house to Mr. Marsh’s law partner, Judge J.W. Fitzgerald and his wife, Mary.  In 1999, the Fitzgerald’s granddaughter sold it to Robert Wangner, a developer in Tyler.  The home was in great disrepair, but Mr. & Mrs. Wangner restored the property over a two year period, incorporating much of the Fitzgerald memorabilia.  The house contains three offices, including the headquarters for Historic Tyler, Inc.

49. CAMPBELL-RICHARDSON HOUSE Built in 1928 922 South College National Register of Historic Places This Tudor Revival-style home was built in 1928 by Allen Campbell, a prominent Tyler contractor.  The Campbell family resided in the home for 22 years.  Will Mann Richardson, a prominent Tyler attorney, purchased the home in 1950.  It remained in the Richardson family for 53 years until in 2003.  Running through the property is the historically significant WPA drainage project, masonry walls, a stone-lined well, and beautiful azalea gardens.  It sits in the heart of the Azalea District.

50. VIRGINIA AND R.K. BONNER HOUSE Built in 1902 826 South Robertson National Register of Historic Places This modified L-Plan home, built in 1902, has a square or rectangular central mass with projecting front and side wings that distinguish it from the simpler L-Plan. A hipped roof covers the primary structure and heightens the low, one story profile.  The Bonner House displays classical Revival Style elements in the form of porch posts and wood trim, and is among 86 examples of this plan type in Tyler.

51. ROY G. ROBERTSON FARMHOUSE Built in 1894 204 Lindsey Lane National Register of Historic Places This Prairie Style, wood frame house was built in 1894.  In the early 1890s, John and Sarah Robertson conveyed 14 acres of their cotton farm to their son, Roy G. Robertson.  Shortly thereafter, Roy secured a mortgage of $1,000.00 from East Texas Loan & Savings Association of Tyler to build the farmhouse.  The original farmhouse was architecturally a “box house”, meaning the frame of the house was constructed out of solid sheets of pine.  The recessed front door frame and window frames throughout the front of the house are indicative of the old “solid box” houses.

52. ULMER HOUSE Built in 1934 1608 S. Chilton Avenue National Register of Historic Places The interior of the modified Georgian home has a contemporary look, featuring strong solid colors, tile and wood floors.  Other features include a carved oak fireplace mantle, crown moldings in all of the rooms, and two pairs of 18th century French doors.  The house was built in 1934 and was sold a year later to Dr. James G. Ulmer, minister of the First Christian Church at Broadway Avenue and Front Street.  He was also executive manager of East Texas Broadcasting Co. and taught at Tyler Commercial College.  The Ulmers sold the house to Rudolph and Elaine Tastch in 1967.  Mr.Tastch was minister of the Ridgeway Christian Church near the TJC campus.  Mrs. Tastch was the first dyslexia teacher in Tyler and taught reading to children in the breakfast room.  Only four families have lived in this home.

53. HANSON-COOPER HOUSE Built in 1885 412 E. Charnwood The Tudor Revival style home is one of twelve revival style two-story duplexes within the Charnwood Historic District that has the character of a single family residence.  The home shares family ties, as well as proximity, with its eastern neighbor at 416 E. Charnwood.  In 1885, Samuel A. Lindsey, an attorney who later became a local judge and prominent Tyler businessman, developed the property at 416 E. Charnwood with a one story Classical Revival style home.  He sold the property to Ida Spain in 1904.  The property passed from Ida Spain to Josephine E. Hanson in 1908.  Mrs. Hanson lived in the house for many years.  In 1930, Mrs. Hanson subdivided a portion of her property to the west to create a lot for her daughters.   A house was designed by Shirley Simons and constructed in 1931.  The upper unit served as an income generator, serving as a temporary home to 25 different renters.  One resident was Curtis Sanford, an oilman and founder and first underwriter of the Cotton Bowl Game.  In 1964, the home was sold to Amanda Pearson Graham for $8,071.00.  Upon her death in 1982, the property passed to her daughter, Elsie Pearson Hamilton, who lived in the home until 1984, when it was sold to Melba R. and Luke Medford III for $75,000.  Mrs. Medford planned to use the property for her interior decorating business and an antique store and made many improvements to the home.  She was unable to secure commercial zoning for the endeavor and sold the property in 1984 to Allen and Kimberly Tennison, who lived in the house until July, 1994. In August, 1994, Fran and Curtis Cooper purchased the residence and added a new roof, new plumbing, three antique English stained glass windows, and new beams with subfloors in the bathrooms.  They also refinished the original oak floors and removed plywood from six exterior windows and four exterior porch arches.

54. MCKINNEY HOUSE Built in 1931  1503 South College Avenue The two-story, red-tile roofed, brick veneer Mediterranean Revival style structure features an asymmetrical façade with offset projecting entry bay, 4/4 double hung wood sash windows, exterior chimney with decorative stack, and a loggia-like bank of five arched windows separated by narrow serpentine columns.  The entry is recessed in the projecting bay detailed with an arched opening, serpentine columns, and glass and metal lanterns.  The two-story brick veneer garage apartment at the rear of the property complements the house. The house was designed by Edward A. Nolan and built by H.W. McCord.  The McKinney House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

55. WHITE HOUSE Built in 1929 116 Lindsey Lane The Tudor Revival-style home, commonly known as The Castle, was built by Hugh White, a leading builder of his day. The brick and stucco house features a turret with balcony, weathervane and chimney pots.   The home was the site of many social events and was the beginning of the Azalea Trail.  The current owner is in the process of being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

56. THOMAS JEFFERSON, SR. AND ANNIE MAE GIVENS HOUSE Built in 1931 2209 N. Grand Street Thomas Jefferson Givens, Sr. built this American Cottage style home during the oil boom for his wife and son, who wanted to be near Texas College.  Mrs. Givens provided housing for many young ladies attending the college, including her own granddaughter.  Four generations of the Givens family have lived in the home.