Historic Tyler on Tour, 2007
Burke-Heines Home
Michelle & Martin Heines
1616 S. Chilton
As the importance of cotton waned in East Texas and the country began to suffer from the grip of the Depression in the 1930s, East Texas was spared the worst of the economic crisis because of the oil boom. Local businesses prospered and, as a result, this neighborhood gave rise to more residences. It was during this time in 1935 when John Burke, who was the President of the American Laundry Co., and his wife Nettie built this home. At what was considered to be the outskirts of town, this Tudor Revival style two-story home with a garage apartment was constructed. At this time, South Broadway literally ended at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Members of the Burke family lived in this house for seventy years. Elena Burke, who celebrated her 99th birthday this year, was the last member of the family to live in the home. There she resided until 2005 when the home was purchased by Martin and Michelle Heines.
Many features of the home, including a basement and a garage apartment, are as they were when it was built in the 1930s. The exterior light fixture at the front door is original to the home. As you enter the two-story foyer, the light fixture and the stairway are as they were when the house was built. The antique pieces in the entryway belonged to Martin’s grandmother Edna Pollard.
Thick plaster walls are found throughout the house and display original works of art collected by the Heines family. The main features in the living room are the grand handcrafted ceiling, the elegant mantel and fireplace, and the plaster crown molding, which are all original to the home. Off the living room is a former sunroom, which may have been a sleeping porch at one time. It has been enclosed by the Heines to be used as a home theater for the children. Recessed lighting in the ceiling has been added in most of the rooms to create a more contemporary ambience; in addition, a powder room has been added beneath the stairwell.
Found throughout the home are the original and beautiful hardwood floors. From a space that was once used as a den and breakfast room, the Heines have created a new kitchen; the former kitchen has become a laundry room. The original tile still exists in two of the bathrooms. However, the master bath upstairs has been completely updated. The third floor has been enclosed as a playroom to be enjoyed by the children.
The brick wall along Fifth Street and the iron fence, designed by Michelle, complement the original ironwork at the rear of the structure. The large trees and the azalea beds, planted by the Burke family, are so fitting to the house that the Heines have kept these perfect accents to the home.
