Endangered Properties
Historic Tyler tracks significant historic (at least 50 years or older) properties that are threatened with demolition from the wrecking ball or neglect. Endangered Properties are historic properties that were ranked “high priority” on the Historic Properties Survey and face imminent destruction without intervention. Examples of Endangered Properties that were saved from demolition include the 1880 Smith County Jail that Historic Tyler bought with revolving fund monies in 1986 and the circa 1910 Liberty House that avoided the wrecking ball in 2000 through the cooperative efforts of Historic Tyler and the Tyler Historical Preservation Board. Unsuccessful preservation efforts include the Blackstone Hotel which was demolished in 1986 and the 1940 Tyler Theatre which was lost in 1999.
The “Liberty House,” located at 424 N. Liberty, was slated for demolition in 1998. This property is an excellent example of a working-class “shot gun” style home from the early twentieth century. Few of these modest homes, probably built for railroad workers, remain in Tyler. Historic Tyler used revolving fund monies to move the house to the grounds of the McClendon House in 1999.
The Riviere House, 1604 N. Bois D’Arc, is an example of Queen Anne style architecture with its “gingerbread” decorations and numerous porches. The house was built in 1890 by merchant Richard Riviere and was a focal point of this early north Tyler neighborhood. The Riviere House was restored for law offices in the early 1980′s by Tom Frisby but has remained vacant for nearly twenty years. Vandals have broken windows, stripped woodworking and light fixtures, and removed parts of the exterior gazebo.
Historic Tyler is your watchdog for conservation in our community. We will keep you posted when significant historic resources are endangered. We want to hear from you, too. If there is an historic building in your neighborhood that appears threatened, contact the Historic Tyler office at 903/595-1960 or send an e-mail to historic@suddenlinkmail.com.
The mission of Historic Tyler, Inc. is to promote the preservation and protection of historic structures and sites through education, involvement, and public and private investment.
