The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the Square in the heart of Downtown Tyler. Stone plaques are placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events. (Courtesy of the city of Tyler)

The city of Tyler will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Gallery Main Street, 110 W. Erwin St., to unveil a new Half Mile of History marker that will honor H.L. and Lyda Bunker Hunt.

The goal of the Half Mile of History program is to pay tribute to people, places, organizations and events that have contributed to the history of Tyler and Smith County. 

The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler.  Stone plaques are placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events.

H.L. and Lyda Bunker Hunt

H.L. Hunt was one of the earliest investors in the East Texas Oil field, moving his family to Tyler in 1931. The family first lived on Woldert Street as they restored a 1855 mansion and stable at 223 E. Charnwood St. The home had been used as a girls’ school and also as a hospital during the Civil War.

In the oil field business, Hunt originated and practiced the idea of changing from two 12-hour shifts to four six-hour shifts, doubling employment at his additional expense. After World War II, he encouraged conservation of oil by regulating the number of wells allowed to be drilled per acre.

A leader in the oil industry. Hunt was an active member of the American Petroleum Institute. In 1966, he was honored with the Chief Roughneck Award, presented by U.S. Steel, recognizing “the one individual whose accomplishments and character best represent the highest ideals of the oil and gas industry.”

He was elected posthumously to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1986 and awarded the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers Legends Medal posthumously in 2002, which is given to those who “have distinguished themselves in their profession and been a tribute to their communities and country.”

Mrs. Hunt was noted for her generosity during the depression, when she kept a table on the back porch to facilitate feeding as many as 12-15 desperate men per day who appeared at their door seeking work. She was also a participating member of the Tyler Woman’s Club.

The family was active in the Presbyterian Church on Broadway Avenue. Their daughters, Margaret and Caroline, attended Tyler public schools.