Tyler Historic Resources Survey, Tyler, Smith County, Texas

Preservation Central, Inc.

From introduction: "The purpose of the Tyler Historic Resources Survey is to assist the city of Tyler in planning for the preservation of its cultural resources and heritage. Results of the survey may be used to establish local landmarks and historic districts governed by city ordinance and design review, and to nominate resources for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. On August 11, 2013, the City of Tyler contracted with Preservation Central, Inc., an Austin-based historic preservation consulting firm, to conduct a survey of approximately 130 historic resources within the city limits. The resources (buildings, structures, objects, and sites) selected were thought to have been built between 1947 and 1972. The dates were chosen to pick up where previous surveys left off and to project beyond the typical cut-off date of 1963 (the end of the 50-year "historic" period) for future planning efforts. All surveyed resources lie within the central core of the city in an area bounded by Front Street on the south, Gentry Parkway on the north, Palace Avenue on the west, and Beckham Avenue on the east. The survey consisted of documenting the physical attributes of each resource by recording them on a form prepared by the Texas Historical Commission, and to photograph their primary elevations. In most cases, especially for complex buildings, multiple photographs were taken. As part of the documentation, the surveyors were charged with assessing the relative merits and integrity of these resources to determine whether they are High, Medium, or Low preservation priorities, and if they would be contributing or noncontributing elements of a potential historic district. The assessments were recorded on the survey form and are included in the inventory.... Of the total 130 addresses, 88 (68 %) date to the historic period ending in 1965 as defined by the Secretary of the Interior. Of the surveyed resources, 8 (.06%) were determined to have outstanding preservation values and were listed as "high" priorities. Such High priority properties are good candidates for National Register or local landmark designations. Another 44 (38%) were determined to be good or typical examples of their type and therefore Medium priorities, and 78 (60 %) were low priorities either because they are nonhistoric (post 1963) or because they have suffered severe alteration since their original construction or historic-period alteration. Medium and High priorities are considered Contributing resources in a potential historic district. Low preservation priorities are considered Noncontributing elements of a potential district... This report details the present survey area, field and research methodology, survey results, and recommendations for preservation planning It also contains a brief historic context and development history of this part of Tyler. This document is not intended to be a comprehensive history of Tyler, but rather to provide a context for understanding its growth and development and the role of its historic resources in that process." Funding was provided in part by a 2013 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Tyler (project number TX-13-021) administered by the Texas State Historic Preservation Office (grant number P13AF00105) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Tyler, Texas is a Certified Local Government.

Tyler Historic Resources Survey, Tyler, Smith County, Texas

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