The 1955 Standard Ranch-style home of Kari and Mackey Smith at 2803 Pounds Ave. will be featured on the Historic Tyler on Tour. (Contributed Photo)

This weekend, Tyler invites both visitors and residents to experience the Southern charm and innovative design of its mid-century homes on the annual Historic Tyler on Tour. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees can explore the unique blend of classic architecture and modern style that defines the city’s mid-century homes.

In addition to providing residents and visitors with an entertaining weekend activity, the tour raises key funds for Historic Tyler.

“Since 1981, Historic Tyler on Tour (HTOT) has been our nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser,” said Amanda Herterich, Executive Director of HTOT.

To kick things off, Suzanne and Brad Curtis will host the Candlelight Garden Party and Tour on Friday evening at their 1955 International Ranch-style home on Dinah Lane in the Pollard neighborhood. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, a photo booth, and a guided tour of the Curtis’ beautifully preserved residence, available from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $150 for members of the public or $125 for Historic Tyler members, with the event open to those 21 and older. A Candlelight ticket also includes access to the full weekend tour.

This year’s Historic Tyler on Tour will feature four homes showcasing distinctive mid-century designs, set against the backdrop of the Pollard Residential Historic District as it nears its final stages of nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Board of Directors and I reach out to local homeowners to gauge their interest in participating in the tour,” Herterich said. “We seek out historic buildings that have retained a high degree of architectural integrity in an effort to promote historic preservation. The buildings reflect a range of time periods, styles, and sizes. This year, however, homes in the Pollard area were specifically chosen to celebrate the neighborhood’s National Register nomination.”

The homes featured in the 2025 tour include:

• 918 E. Watkins St. (1953 Colonial Revival Ranch)

• 2803 Pounds Ave. (1955 Standard Ranch, Wilcox)

• 3400 Woodbine Blvd. (1955 Colonial Revival Ranch, Gregory)

• 3334 Allen Ave. (1968 Spanish Ranch)

Mid-century homes are known for their clean lines, functional design, and open layouts, often with large windows that connect indoor and outdoor spaces. With an emphasis on simplicity and practicality, these homes reflect a shift toward modern living in the mid-20th century, offering a timeless appeal that continues to resonate today.

“What I especially enjoy about Tyler’s historic buildings is the variety,” Herterich said. “No matter what style I am interested in or researching —Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Mid-Century, Organic, etc. — odds are really good that I can find a building in that particular style in this town. That’s only possible through the efforts of preservation-minded people and organizations.”

The homes featured in the tour each have their own unique stories, but according to Herterich, one property stands out for a particularly unforgettable experience. The 1953 Colonial Revival Ranch suffered significant damage when a backyard tree fell during the storm on June 3, 2024, nearly splitting the house in half.

“Fortunately, the homeowners were not hurt,” Herterick said. “Over the past nine months, the home was painstakingly rebuilt. Care was taken by the contractors to retain original architectural details, such as the gable ends and soffits.”

One of the home’s original wooden windows, damaged in the storm, was carefully restored, with the contractors replicating its mountain profile to ensure it matched the original design.

Tickets will be available for $25 each outside any of the homes on the tour. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

According to Herterich, the area located just north of downtown Tyler, stretching from Oakwood Cemetery to the west and east to the intersection of Gentry Parkway and Highway 271, as well as the northern section of Gentry, particularly along N Bois D’Arc Avenue and Queen Street, is home to some of the city’s oldest standing buildings.

“I don’t think those neighborhoods get enough recognition in that regard,” she said. “There are multiple buildings in this area that were listed in the Green Book that are still standing — many folks don’t realize the significant history tied to those landmarks.”

Another hidden gem are cemeteries, as they often go unnoticed but are rich in history. They were once considered places for the living as much as for the deceased, with many designed as park-like spaces where families and communities would gather, particularly on major holidays, to celebrate, reflect, and honor their loved ones, according to Herterich.

“This repeated, generational gathering ensured the cemeteries were maintained and ancestors were not forgotten,” she said. “Fortunately, the cemeteries in Tyler are well maintained. I hope more living people take the time to visit them.”

Historic Tyler, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977, is dedicated to the preservation and protection of historic structures and sites. Through advocacy, education, and community involvement, Historic Tyler has achieved numerous preservation milestones. For more information, visit www.historictyler.org or call 903-595-1960.

“Historic buildings are a tangible link to our past; experiencing them is about as close as we can currently get to time travel,” Herterich said. “If well cared for, historic buildings have the capacity to serve the people of today, generation after generation.”

The tour is held during the city’s annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which draws thousands of tourists to Tyler each year. Now through April 5, residents and visitors are invited to explore more than 10 miles of blooming azaleas and spring flowers, take part in community events, and enjoy one of Tyler’s most colorful traditions. The trail features the historic home tour, art shows, quilt displays, shopping events, and artisan and flower markets.