Half Mile of History

The City of Tyler’s historic preservation program, the Half Mile of History resulted from a recommendation that came out of the Tyler 21 planning process. The fifth goal of the Historic Preservation Chapter is:

“Promote and display diverse aspects of Tyler’s history to enhance resident and
visitor awareness of its importance.”

The program’s goal is to pay tribute to people, places and events that have contributed to the rich history of Tyler and Smith County.

Celebrating Tyler’s Rich History
The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler. Stone plaques will be placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events.

Nominations
The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler. Stone plaques will be placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events.

The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler. Stone plaques will be placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events.

The nomination form requires a narrative of up to two pages that describes the historical contribution of the nominee. The nominee’s contribution to the history of the community must have been made no fewer than 25 years ago.

Possible areas that nominees may have contributed to could include, but are not limited to, agriculture, architecture, arts/culture, aviation, business, community service, education, entertainment/media, industry, invention/innovation, law, medicine, oil/gas, philanthropy, religion, science, sports and transportation.

The Historical Preservation Board will consider recommendations for the Half Mile of History based upon the nominee’s enduring impact on the community, county, region, nation or the world. Nominations will be presented to the Historical Preservation Board for final consideration.

Half Mile of History Stones listed in alphabetical order.

1. HENRY MARSH BELL

1893 -1951

Dubbed as “Mr. Tyler”, he championed the Tyler Industrial Foundation, East Texas Medical Foundation and was president of Citizens First National Bank, and the Tyler and East Texas Chambers of Commerce.

2. RUDOLPH BERGFELD

1855 -1930

The young entrepreneur arrived in Tyler in 1878, with interests ranging from saloons, banking, to real estate. He developed the city’s first residential subdivision and was Chamber of Commerce Director for 30 years.

3. WOOD T. BROOKSHIRE
1904 -1977
Wood T. Brookshire started Brookshire Grocery Company in 1928, was director of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce in 1945, and served on Tyler School Board from 1941 to 1950.

4. THOMAS BOOKER BUTLER
1867-1919
Thomas Booker Butler served as Smith County Judge, and in the 7th Judicial District Court. In 1910, he founded the Tyler-Courier Times Newspaper and the Guaranty State Bank.

5. GALLOWAY CALHOUN
1894 -1962
He served as First Assistant Attorney General of Texas and Chairman of the Board for the Shriners’ Hospitals from 1949-1962. He was instrumental in bringing Tyler its own Shrine Temple, known as the Sharon Temple.

6. CAMP FANNIN
1943-1946
“A Grateful Nation Remembers”
U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Center was located 8 miles NE of Tyler on US 271. An estimated 150,000 men received basic combat training during WWII.

7. HORACE CHILTON
1853 – 1932
Mr. Chilton was the first native born Texan to serve in the United States Congress. Born near Tyler, he served as a U.S. Senator and Assistant Attorney General of Texas.

8. CHARLES EVAN COLEMAN
1914 - 2003
Mr. Coleman, Tyler’s first licensed African-American lawyer, served the community through mentoring, leadership and providing free legal aid to fellow citizens.

9. RICHARD BENNETT HUBBARD, JR.
1832 – 1901
Richard Bennett Hubbard, Jr. settled in Tyler, Texas in 1853. He was Governor of Texas from 1876 to 1879 and United States Envoy to Japan from 1885 to 1889.

10. JUDGE SAM LINDSEY
1863 -1961
He was known as a man of vision and earned the honorary title, “Father of the Federal Land Banks”. He was instrumental in the promotion and construction of the Peoples Bank building.

11. HENRY M. MORGAN
1895 -1961
Mr. Morgan founded the first Barber College for African Americans on a national scale and is remembered as a civic and political activist, as well as a leader in his profession.

12. SIDNEY EARL (S.E.) PALMER
1903 -1986
Mr. Palmer, community activist in the St. Louis Community, worked tirelessly for housing improvements. Supported integration for TISD and helped create Single Member Voting Districts.

13. SENATOR TOMAS GLOVER POLLARD
1895 -1962
Senator Pollard served Texas as a Representative for three years and then as Senator for ten years, supporting legislation for oil and gas and the creation of Texas Tech University.

14. SHIRLEY SIMONS, SR.

1896 -1963

Shirley Simons, a famed architect, designed many outstanding buildings that have received national historic recognition such as City Hall and the U.S. Post Office/Courthouse. His numerous architectural designs have enhanced the Tyler vertical landscape.

15. TEXAS COLLEGE
Founded in 1894 to educate the children of former slaves, the College continues to benefit society through its vision to “Enhance the Culture of Learning”.

16. TYLER CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Built in 1904
It served as the City’s library for 75 years, until a new one was opened in 1979. It was financed by a $15,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie and by citizens who raised $2,000 to buy the land.

17. TYLER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Since 1899, the library has served to expand the horizons and dreams of Tyler’s citizens while connecting them to the cultural and historic heritage of mankind.

18. TYLER WOMAN’S BUILDING
Located at 911 S. Broadway, this building provided the launching pad for the Tyler Civic Theatre and East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Built in 1932, it became a civic and social gathering place for the Tyler community.

19. JOHN FRANKLIN “DOC” WITT

1884 -1952

Tyler’s Music Man, Doc Witt, organized the Tyler Municipal Band, Tyler High School and Tyler Junior College Band. Doc enriched Tyler citizens with his love of music for 44 years.

Half Mile of History Ceremony

Join us Downtown at Gallery Main Street, 110 W. Erwin,
Thursday, April 29, 2010
from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
for a ceremony to celebrate the following
Half Mile of History recipients:

CAMP FORD
LADY WILLIE LEE CAMPBELL GLASS
COLONEL “O.C.” OSBORNE COSBY PALMER

Please click here.

Click the following link to access the nomination form:

Half Mile of History Nomination Form