Historic Tyler on Tour, 2002
McKinney - Berry - Carmichael House
1503 S. College Ave.
The golden-bricked, red-tiled Mediterranean beauty at 1503 South College remains one of the most fascinating homes in the Azalea District. Originally built by oilman W. E. (Jack) McKinney and his wife, Bertha, it was also home for a while for their son, Dr. Jack McKinney and his wife, Naomi.
In 1937 the McKinneys sold the property to Solomon and Paulene Edelmen, owners of a Tyler dry goods business. It was during their tenure that College Avenue was bricked from First to Fourth Streets. But when A. B. Curtis, Jr. and his wife, Lillian, bought the home in 1944, they allowed it to stand empty for two years. The lingering story that it was haunted can be traced to that time. Clarence W. and Erlene Berry purchased the home from the Curtises in 1946. Mr. Berry was then president of Berry Candy Company. The Berry family lived here for fifty-five years, with daughter, Janet Berry Wilson overseeing the sale in 2001 to Michael and Patrice Carmichael.
Sometimes referred to as Spanish eclectic, this house has exterior ironwork, cast masonry and numerous arched windows and doors. The interior details include ornamental ironwork balconies, chandeliers, sconces, railings and interior gating. The elaborate iron gate that delineates the living room entry has a design that encompasses the thistle of Scotland, the shamrock of Ireland and the oak leaf of England. The house also includes twenty-six original wall sconces that provide ambience throughout the home.
The bank of arched living room windows is framed with curved solid pecan molding. The fireplace mantel and surround is intricately carved Italian granite with a bird and leaf motif, a theme that Patrice Carmichael has continued in her restoration and interior design work. The downstairs stucco walls have been restored to their original color and finish.
A curved wall wraps the side of the elaborate curved staircase, with a contrasting linear shape repeated in the lines in the upstairs landing. An arched door leads to the master bedroom, which is served by the original tiled bath complete with modern fixtures.
A second bedroom off the landing repeats the arched entry. Flooring is quarter-sawn oak. Just beyond and through a privacy door, is the guest suite. This includes the original tiled bathroom. Ceiling fixtures, found downstairs, matched the sconces in this bedroom and have been reinstalled by the Carmichaels.
As part of the kitchen renovation, the original butler’s pantry has been brought back to life and the original cabinets have been incorporated into the new design. A covered porch in the back of the house was enclosed by the Berrys. Doing most of the restoration themselves, Michael and Patrice Carmichael say that this is a work in progress with plans that will reach into the next several years, including restoring the upstairs back terrace, the guest quarters over the garage and major landscaping and replacement of the timber retaining wall around the side and front yards.
