Azalea District, 2003
The National Azalea District Nomination was approved in June of 2003. Beginning in the Fall of 2002, Architectural Historian, Diane Williams began research on the Azalea District area and categorized all properties as contributing or non-contributing for historical designation. Please reference the press release article in the Tyler Morning Telegraph below as well as the Azalea National Historic District Nomination.
Historic Tyler Board volunteers conducted hours of research to review Sanborn maps and city directories from the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's to determine the earliest date the properties were listed in the Tyler City Directories. This research involved listing the first resident at a particular address along with their occupation and family information and whether they owned the property, then finding the earliest date the property first was shown in outline form on the Sanborn Maps. Color-coding on these maps determined whether the house, garage apartments, and out-buildings were brick, brick-veneer, wood frame, or masonry. This volunteer group included: Janie Chilcote, Bonnie Edmonds, Carolyn Lozier, and True Magruder. All research forms were then submitted to the Architectural Historian.
During the time this research was being conducted, three public meetings were held at the Women’s Building for the Azalea District residents to hear about the project status of the Azalea Residential Historic District research and to answer any questions from local residents. Texas Historic Commission staff members, Peter Ketter, and Judy George-Garza, were present at the final meeting to meet with residents and field any questions regarding whether the properties were contributing or non-contributing. Copies of the nomination were available for residents to review.
In January of 2003 the final nomination document was presented at the Texas Historical Commission’s State Board of Review and approved and forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register at the National Park Services in Washington, D.C. In June of 2003, the nomination was approved and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C.
Presentation to the Texas Historical Commission - Review this presentation to view district boundary and photos of representative houses.
Azalea National Historic District Nomination - Review this document to determine if your property is contributing or non-contributing to apply for a National Register of Historic Places Plaque.
Application Form for a National Register of Historic Places Plaque.
Tyler Morning Telegraph newspaper article - follow link to read article
Letter to Azalea Historic District Property Owners - follow link to read letter
