Historic Tyler on Tour, 2004
The Miller Home, 114 East Second
Finley Scruggs and his wife Lois were the first owners of the home at 114 East Second. Mr. Scruggs, a land man for Humble Oil, purchased the lot from J. A. Bergfeld in 1936. The Scruggs began building their home in the same year. The couple built a Colonial Revival Style house made of the same red brick used to pave the streets in this district. The home included a safe house in the back where Lois Scruggs stored her china and silver.
In 1948 Mr. & Mrs. Scruggs sold the west part of their lot to The First Church of Christ Scientist. During the same year a large brick wall was built around the back yard. A large gate was installed between the Scruggs' yard and their good friends and neighbors to the east, the Byars. Betty Byars Summers lives next door in the house she grew up in and has many fond memories of Lois Scruggs. Mrs. Scruggs taught Mrs. Summers to read. Lois and Finley Scruggs enjoyed many years in their home.
Martha and Gaylord Hughey bought the house in 1981. The home was sold to Machelle and George Mea 10 years later. Nancy and Richard McKellar purchased the home in 1994. The present owners, Judith and Charles Miller, made this their home in 1998.
Over the years small changes have enhanced this charming home. The kitchen was updated, a porte cochere was added to the side of the home as well as an awning over the front porch.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller's home is flawlessly decorated. Mrs. Miller's collections adorn every room. English antiques and family pictures can be found through out the home. The living room shelves are full of Staffordshire and Majolica pieces. The focal point of the dining room is a beautiful Baptism gown that the Miller's brought back from Ireland as a souvenir of their honeymoon. The breakfast room contains the oldest piece in the home a small English dresser dated 1790.
The breakfast room and the garden room have a lovely view of the arbor, built by Mr. Miller, in the gorgeous lawn.
There are 3 bedrooms upstairs. Mrs. Miller's shoe collection and her cross-stitch pieces accent two of the upstairs bedrooms. The other room is a wonderful office/guestroom. This room is decorated with map wallpaper-and a large window with a magnificent view of the backyard.
Judith and Charles Miller invite you to share in the warmth and beauty of their home.
