Members Only Fall Tour
“A NIGHT ON THE TOWN”
A tour of downtown private residences and commercial properties occurred on Tuesday, November 17, from 7:00-8:30 pm for Historic Tyler members. The Tour concluded with light refreshments served at the loft of Cassie Edmonds, 124 South College, #102.
“It’s been about ten years since we offered a fall walking tour to our members, and from what I’ve heard, members wanted some special events just for them,” said Janie Menegay, Executive Director. “We wanted to give our members a chance to see some wonderful lofts and adaptive re-use projects, as well as have an opportunity to meet downtown and visit with fellow HTI members.”
Five historic buildings were on the Tour and Historic Tyler is grateful to all the property owners for sharing their renovated properties with us:
119 East Erwin, Apt. A
Loft of Jacky Ouin and Steve Perry – Kirby Building (circa 1889). Built by Julius Bergfeld, Sr., this building as seen many uses through the years, including a bar and pool hall, harness and shoe shop, grocery and drugstore, barbershop, gun shop, and veterinary clinic. It also served as a boarding house during the 1930’s Oil Boom. Contractor John O’Sullivan, a pioneer in rehabbing downtown buildings, bought the building in 1994 for his first loft renovation project. Jacky and Steve operate ETV Software, Inc. downtown.
101-1/2 East Erwin
Loft of Jason Amos and Misty Tuttle – the oldest brick building on the square (circa 1869). Reportedly, this upper story loft was once a prominent tax collector’s office during Reconstruction years, while the main floor housed a saloon and a casket company operated in the basement. The building was also used as a pharmacy and an optical shop for many years. John O’Sullivan renovated the building for Tim Shieldes in the early 1990’s and bought it for himself in 2006. Jason revived the concept of living above your storefront; he works in the Edward Jones office below. Misty is a teacher.
110 West Erwin
Heart of Tyler/Main Street Gallery and Office (circa 1920). This building on the south side of the square was used for a variety of retail establishments through the years, most recently a millinery shop. Heart of Tyler, with the help of architect Ron Mabry, renovated the space for offices and an art gallery in 2009.
116 West Erwin
Balance Studio – S.H. Kress and Co. Building (1946). Owners Michelle and Martin Heines purchased the building in 2004, one of the last stores constructed downtown, and began extensive rehabilitation of the former “5 & 10 Cent” store. They renovated the building for a Pilates and dance studio (with Martin’s offices above) and won the Downtown Association Award in 2007 for adaptive reuse. The building was listed as a Tyler Landmark in 2006.
124 South College, #102
Loft of Cassie Edmonds – Jenkins-Harvey Service Station and Garage (1929). During the 1940’s, the building was the only known Art Deco auto service station and garage in the city. It later housed Griffin Auto Storage until downtown developer John O’Sullivan purchased the garage and converted it into loft apartments. Cassie, a local artist and teacher, moved into her loft in 2009. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
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.
