Historic Tyler on Tour, 2004
The Byars-Summers Home, 118 East Second
In 1936 Billy G. Byars and his wife Emily bought a large corner lot on east Second from J.A. Bergfeld. The following year Harvey T. McQueen built the couple a two story, nine room brick and frame house with three baths, a three-car garage and a servants room with a bath. The original price was ,183 and the home was to be completed in 120 days. The architect was from California and there is some speculation that the Monterey Revival style home was designed after Clark Gable's ranch house. The house retains the original plaster walls and wood floors.
During the mid-forties, the Byars enlarged the house to 5,000 square feet with the addition of another master bedroom and bath and a large den.
After the death of Emily Byars, daughter Betty and her husband, Richard Summers, bought the home from the estate. The kitchen was extensively remodeled in 1980. A swimming pool was added the same year. In 2003 Mr. & Mrs. Summers updated most of the baths in the home and added a wonderful terrace along the back of the home.
This home has been the site of many gatherings throughout the years. Several grand Rose festival parties were hosted with large set replicas, ice sculptures and buckets of roses decorating the lawn. Mrs. Summers remembers her parent's door was always open to visitors. This home is possibly one of the first air-conditioned houses in Tyler. This fact along with her parent's hospitality may explain why this house has been a popular place for socializing. Mrs. Summers recollects several famous guests over the years including Ronald Reagan and Pat O'Brien.
Another fond memory of Mrs. Summers' is the Badminton courts her parents and friends made in the back yard and the neighbors yard. The Byars and their friends founded a badminton club that met on a regular schedule. The badminton club still exists today. They do not play the game anymore, but they have dinner together monthly at Willow Brook Country Club.
There are family heirlooms through out this home. The Byars' Steinway piano is in the living room. Emily Byars' Cradle with a horsehair mattress and a King size bed made of cherry wood from the trees on the family's farm are in the bedrooms upstairs.
This lovely home is full of memories and history. We would like to thank Betty and Richard Summers for allowing us to celebrate the Candlelight Party at their home for the second time.
