Discover

Story by JACQUE HILBURN
Feature Writer

Robert E. Reed Jr. can't seem to quench his appetite for all things Tyler. The Tyler native collects vintage city memorabilia, combs through musty municipal records and collects shared memories from longtime residents to learn more about the bygone days of the "Rose Capital of America."

If that weren't enough, he just finished writing a book about his favorite subject, scheduled for release Tuesday as part of the "Images of America" series.

Books included in Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series reveal the history of a town or city through photographs. The books reveal the evolution of its transportation, industry, architecture, ethnic groups and more.

"A print is worth a 1,000 words, it really is," Reed said. "I've always loved Tyler. It was really hard narrowing it down to just 230 photographs."

Reed's 128-page book, "Tyler" provides an overview of the city's past that includes historic images borrowed from archives and personal collections.

The book retails for $19.99, plus tax.

To commemorate its release, a series of book signings is in the works. The first is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Friday at the Noonday Community Library, 16792 County Road 196, Tyler.

Reviews of the straight-forward "Images of America" series have been positive.

"In today's world of flashy e-mail, celebrity book deals and millennium madness, these humble photo-essays on the late 19th and early- to mid-20th century have struck a chord with Americans looking for their past," according to the Associated Press.

For Reed, the book is the first of several projects he plans to pursue to share the story of Tyler and its people.

"I've always enjoyed history, especially family genealogy," he said.

The author said this interest in history was probably spurred by childhood vacations with family, noting most included stops at historical places and points of interest.

"Seeing those things probably inspired my interest," he said.

He began collecting things about Tyler that many people tend to toss - old match covers, postcards and Texas Rose Festival memorabilia - and eventually created a Web site "Past Glimpses of Tyler, Texas" to share his interest with others.

As his interest in the city grew, so did his involvement in organizations with a love of the past.

Reed joined the Smith County Historical Society and Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society.

His connections with those organizations opened doors for a book.

Reed's book features never before published vintage photographs, most of which came from the SCHS archives, that capture the city's early days.

Some highlights include the Texas Rose Festival, East Texas State Fair and beloved icons such as the Texas Fruit Palace and Brown Derby Restaurant.

Other aspects represented include a horse-drawn fire truck, electric street cars, and prisoners from both the Civil War and World War II.

Entities sharing in amassing of the images include the Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House, Brookshire's Grocery Company, Caldwell Zoo, Camp Fannin Association, Tyler Police Department, Tyler Public Library and Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Rail Society.

Assistance was also given by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Reed credits these entities and support of family and friends with helping bring the project to fruition.

These other events highlighting Reed's new book have been scheduled:

Copies of Reed's book are available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Hastings, SCHS and through Reed's Web site, http://home.sprynet.com/~tylertexas/index.htm. Orders are also accepted through the publisher by calling 1-888-313-2665 or by visiting its Web site, www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Updated Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. CST

Robert Reed Jr., president of the Smith County Historical Society, sits in the old Carnegie Library in Tyler among archives he used for his new book.
((Staff Photo by Mark Roberts))