Historic Tyler on Tour, 2008
The Handley Home
536 Park Heights Circle
After the initial oil boom, the prosperity of Tyler continued and more residences were built farther south of the neighborhood near Bergfeld Park. In 1950, a Southern Colonial style home with solid wood columns and with accents of ironwork typical of the French look of New Orleans was built on Park Heights Circle for Ross and Freda Walker. Mr. Walker was a self-made man, successful in the oil business. Here, in this two-story, three bedroom home, he and his wife reared their two children.
Mr. Walker’s first wife died, and he later remarried. Little was done to the home over the ensuing years except to add an elevator to connect the downstairs with the master bedroom upstairs, when Mr. Walker’s health began to fail.
After his death, June, his second wife, hired Carl Weber, an architect, to do some remodeling. At this time, she had the beautiful leaded glass door panels installed on either side of the original front door.
When the second Mrs. Walker died six and one-half years ago, the home was left unoccupied until Dr. Richard and Suzanne Handley purchased the home in 2003 from the Ross Walker Trust.
Local architects were hired by the Handleys to make some changes before moving into the home. Fourteen months later the changes were complete and they moved in. A new garage was added with a to-be-finished area upstairs. The old garage became a work office. Downstairs, two bedrooms and two bathrooms were added, and the elevator was removed. The kitchen and den were enlarged, and the master bedroom upstairs became a ballroom.
Most of the original light fixtures remain, but have been relocated to other areas of the home. The dining room fixture is in its original spot. Throughout the house the beautiful pine floors have remained a focal point of the home.
The ironwork and gas lamp from the front of the home have been relocated to the back yard. Two gas lanterns have been added on either side of the front entry.
Suzanne has furnished the home with many antiques and family pieces which add to the grace and charm of the home. This elegant home still exudes the love and warmth enjoyed by the Walker family when they lived there.
Historic Tyler on Tour would like to thank the Handleys for the warm and gracious hospitality they have shown in allowing their home to be on the tour this year.
