Tyler

Touring Tyler's downtown district is scenic, quaint and alive with history. Now there's a way to experience that history with a little fun and a little fright.

The Tyler Research and Investigations of the Paranormal team now is partnered with Heart of Tyler and the Smith County Historical Society to host tours full of anecdotal tales of the early days of downtown. Most stories were uncovered through journals, letters and archives now part of the historical society's reference.

Tyler RIP founder and case manger Michelle Damron and member Sandy Junek will head the tours, which will kick off during the 21st annual Festival on the Square on Sept. 13.

What Tyler RIP offers are a few of the scandals, shenanigans and spooks that make up the spirit of downtown.

"We noticed other cities putting emphasis on their downtown areas, and we noticed there was nothing really for families here," Mrs. Junek said during a preview tour. "We will not only promote tourism, but have something for local people as well.

"We're not just doing it for the attraction, but to carry on stories."

There will be a Spirits of Tyler Tour free of charge on the day of the festival which will stick to Tyler's beginnings, early landmarks and tall tales.

Tour guides will point out where each of the county courthouses were located and how each one met its demise. The opera house, wagon stockyards and the old county jail (now an office building) all have tales worth telling.

Guests will hear of saloons that once lined Erwin Street, a "Red Light" district off of Locust Street and how a Tyler ammunitions plant, also located downtown, contributed to the efforts of the Confederate States Of America during the Civil War.

There also will be plenty of time to ask questions along the route.

"A lot of the buildings we're speaking about are no longer here, so it will be up to people on the tour to use their imaginations to look back in time," Ms. Damron said.

Admission is free, but there will be limitations on the number of people in the groups, which are set for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The daytime tour is appropriate for all ages, but both women agree, probably more fun for those at least 9 years old.

The 8 p.m. tour will be a different adventure through historic downtown, to include the myths, urban legends and "spirits."

Those "spirits" include a man lynched before being tried for his crime, a fire chief and others who once walked the streets of downtown. Tyler RIP will fill people in on what investigations into the paranormal have been conducted in the area and what, if anything, was discovered.

"Back then, people took it upon themselves to make their own justice, and there are lots of those stories," Ms. Damron said. "We did investigate the Liberty Theater and we'll tell you what happened when we were there. The opera house also has several interesting stories."

If need be, there will have a second tour at 10 pm. Cost is $6 and is a PG-13 experience. Those ages 13 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tyler RIP encourages those who take the tour to bring along cameras and other "spirit" hunting items.

Again, space is limited, and payment must be in cash.

"We hope to be able to do this once a month after the festival," Mrs. Junek said. "There are so many interesting things that happened downtown in Tyler. There used to be football games and parades. Now we do nothing down here but fly by on our way to work."

Ms. Darmon added, "And that's surprising. It used to be the center of attention."

The tours will begin at the Tyler RIP booth, located at 100 E. Ferguson St. at Regions Bank during the festival, and folks can sign up on site or online.

To reserve a spot on either tour, log onto http://ghosts.meetup.com/524/calendar/8690305 or call 903-593-6905.

Note: If you plan on taking the walking tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.