Historic Tyler on Tour, 2008
The Justice Home
521 West Fourth
Located at the edge of the Azalea Brick Streets District in the South Park Heights Subdivision, this cottage style home was built in 1937 for Horace and Grace Coker. He owned and operated the Coker Electric Company, and his wife, Grace, was Director of the choir at the First Presbyterian Church.
In 1957, after Mr. Coker died, Grace continued to live in the home until she died in 1983. After her death, the home changed occupants and owners several times, until 2001 when Fether and Jim Justice purchased the home.
Much of the structure is as it was when the Cokers built the home in 1937. Arched doorways, crown molding, and the beautiful hardwood floors are original to the home. Initially, the fireplace was used only with gas until the present owners discovered that it was also intended to be a wood burning fireplace.
The painted exterior of the home, which was buff colored brick, is typical of the changes to the homes in the neighborhood. Though not original to the home, the front door was altered to fit the doorway. Interesting enough, the present owner purchased the door from a home in Hannibal, Missouri, which was located next door to the historic home of Mark Twain, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Filled with authentic collections of antiques and eclectic pieces of furniture, Fether has arranged these in the “Shabby Chic” style.
A chandelier ordered from Belgium by the Cokers still hangs in its original spot in the dining room. It is one of several still in the home. Also, in the dining room is a chifforobe that belonged to Jim’s family. Now, with glass shelving, it holds many family treasures. Beside the chifforobe is a violin with a unique family history.
After surviving 70 years, the black and white tile and marble flooring in the bathroom are in excellent condition and still remain in use today.
Fether and Jim have kept the 1930s integrity of the home and have made few changes in the home other than updating the kitchen and creating a small guest room from a porch enclosed by previous owners.
Thank you, Fether and Jim, for allowing Historic Tyler on Tour to include your charming and unique home on the tour.
