Nomadic Texan

After touring the Pyron House’s garden, I used the rest of Saturday afternoon to see a couple of homes on the “Historic Tyler on Tour”, along the Azalea Trail. The first house on the tour was the Tyer Home and of course I left my entry ticket in the car four blocks away, where I parked. So I wasn’the able to get any interior photos. My apologies to the owners. It was a very stately looking home from the exterior. I loved the fountain!

The Tyer Home, Circa 1931, Mediterranean Revival

I walked back to my to car and retrieved my pass for the Hardin Home. The docent at the front door was very nice and outgoing. He made the experience pleasant. I did not listen to the entire tour, but I was able to grab a couple of quick photos. Time was rapidly flying by.

The Hardin Home, Circa 1936, Colonial Revival

I captured a couple of photos of the interior, the dining room and the living room. I thought the owners had done an excellent job of preparing for the tour. The home was very bright and filled with sunshine. I felt warm and at home!

The Hardin Home Living Room

The Hardin Home Dining Room

This next home was a little different. I had my slip checked to validate I was at the Bankston home and actually visited it. As I entered, I was asked if I wanted the tour. I said no thank you as time was literally running out. I told the lady docent that I just wanted to take a few photos of the interior, for my blog and try and make the next house before they closed at 5:00 PM. The docent looked at me and said “You cannot take any photos in the house”.

I explained I was a guest of the city of Tyler, performing media functions and the other houses hadn’t had a problem. Her retort was caustic and she stood by her no photo rule. I said thank you kindly and exited. She followed me all the way out with her eyes. I am not sure if she was upset I didn’t want the tour or just didn’t like my Hawaiian shirt and beard. I knew when I wasn’t welcome and left.

The Bankston Home, Circa 1950, Mid-Century Modern

The Bankston Home Front Door

The last home on the tour for me was the Frank Home and it could not have been more different than the Bankston House. The docent greeted me with a huge smile and asked if I wanted the tour. I said yes, as I had plenty of time after the incident at the Bankston House. I was very happy I decided to go with the tour. I had four different docents and each were well versed on the history of the house and the couple that resided in the home presently. The lady of the house was quite a decorator and collected Franciscan Desert Rose China, just like my Mother. I had an instant bond!

The Frank Home, Circa 1950, Ranch Style

The husband was an officer in the Navy and a Submarine officer at that. I would not be able to even ride a submarine much less live on one. In addition he was fantastic with his hands and did all kinds of work around the house. They tried to maintain as much of the 1950’s accents throughout the home as possible. This included the kitchen, the bathrooms, and several items they rebuilt or refinished. The counter below is a sample of the quality of work he does.

The Frank Home Kitchen

It was obvious that the wife was fond of the Franciscan Deseryt Rose China. The photo below shows many pieces that either weren’t available when my Mother was collecting or she didn’t have the funds. I was attracted to all the various items and cannisters with the design.

Franciscan Desert Rose China in the Frank Home

My favorite piece of all was this Piggy Bank located beside the stove top. I have never heard or seen this item before and the docent told me he thought it was rare, but he wasn’t sure. I do know it is out of stock on EBay and has been removed. The price quote was $97.00 before it was deleted. I can only guess it is fairly limited in supply.

Franciscan Desert Rose China Piggy Bank in the Frank Home

I love Rattan furniture also and they had a set of the real straw furniture that was very old and authentic. I could sit on this porch every night watching as the sun set, and just might enjoy a toddy or two!

The Frank Home Sun Porch

If you are wondering, there are 20 pillows on the bed. I personally have a hard time removing and returning this many pillows on my bed, but it wasn’t really my concern. Notice how great the curtains, pillow covers and comforter all match. The lady of the house has a great eye for design.

The Frank Home Master Bedroom

None of the homes on the tour were located adjacent to each other and many times it was comfortable walking between homes. I was flabbergasted by the quantity of outstanding homes located in the various districts of Tyler. There was home after home of fantastic architecture. I took many, many photos and thought the homes displayed below were some of the more attractive homes. I hope you enjoy!

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

Random House on the Azalea Trail

This tour is an annual event tied into the Azalea Fest. I highly recommend you experience it in the coming years, if you are fond of old architecture and love seeing the result of makeovers. When I was younger and had just got married, my wife and I served as docents, on the Galveston Old Homes Tour and really loved meeting the people on the tours and delivering our spiels. I know when you come to Tyler you will be treated like royalty and thoroughly enjoy their tour immensely.

***Portions of my stay were in association with the City of Tyler. All opinions, as always, are those of my own.

I was told the first thing I needed to see was the Pyron Home Garden, located on Dobbs in Tyler, before I saw any of the other houses on the Historic Azalea Trail. After my visit to this illustrious home and garden I completely understand the thought. I have seen many beautiful homes and gardens, but I am not sure I have seen the level of artistry displayed at this particular home, at any time in my past. As I walked to the side, to enter the back yard I talked with the owner briefly. He was redoing the entry walkway and adding stones that would extremely enhance the entrance. He was a nice chap, but wanted to work rather than gab. I can appreciate that and walked around the house. I took a few steps around the house to the rear and enjoyed this view.

Back of the Pyron Home

Across the canal that ran through their house’s backyard and their neighbors, was this nice patch of grass. Please notice the detail of the canal. I am not sure if the city did this or the homeowners, but the result was work very well done! It blended in with surrounding yards and had beautiful walkways back and forth made from the same rock and stone. I was impressed with the craftmanship.

Back Area Along the Canal in the Pyron Home

I then walked as far as I could to the rear fence and took another photo. I tried to capture the depth and size of the backyard. It was amazing. Not to mention the different sitting areas completely equipped with tables, chairs, couches, benches and of course a nice BBQ grill. I would spend many an afternoon in his area, if I lived in this house.

View of the Pyron Home From The Farthest Point

As I walked the yard the Azaleas popped out from one side to the other. I was approximately a week early though. I am guessing the week afterwards was excellent and more blooms would have been coming out.

Red Azaleas

I wasn’t aware that so many various colors existed with azaleas, Even the different colors had assorted variations. For an example I must have seen at least 10 different shades of pink and approximately 12 shades of red. Everywhere I turned I saw a different azalea.

Pink Azaleas

This area of town, is known as the historic Alzalea Trail District. As I walked the neighborhood I ran into various assorted plants as illustrated below. I must have taken over 750 photos. It was hard to narrow down exactly which photos to put in my posts. This city is a royal garden of flowers and other blooming plants and trees.

Red and Pink Azaleas

This set of flowers were located at 1411 South Chilton and was The Hardin Home, one of the Old homes on the Historic Tyler Tour. I am not entirely sure what type of flower this is. I found it beautiful and had to take a photo.

Beautiful Flower (Code For I Am Not Sure of The Name)

This group of flowers were located in the same neighborhood along side of one of the sidewalks. Again, I fould this extremely attractive and wanted to share my photo.

Beautiful Flower (Code For I Am Not Sure of The Name Again)

This close up is from a Dogwood tree, outside the house behind the Pyron house. I love these trees and was lucky to find it blooming.

Close Up of a Dogwood Bloom At The Home Behind The Pyron Home

This is an example of one of the plaques in the neighborhood, as designated by the Department of the Interior. It is also designted as one of Tyler’s Historic Landmark’s. Quite an honor in my humble opinion.

An Historical Plaque at One of The Homes on The Azalea Trail

Another lovely section of azaleas and other blooming flowers captured, as I walked through the neighborhood. I could have spent several days just taking photos and touring this neighborhood on foot.

Several Colors of Azaleas and Other Flowers

As a future reference, Tyler is known for their rose’s and the Tyler Rose Festival is held each year in October. You have plenty of time to make plans to attend. If I wasn’t going to be in Italy and Thailand in October 2015,  I would certainly spend a weekend touring the rose gardens.

***Portions of my stay were in association with the City of Tyler. All opinions, as always, are those of my own.

After over 6 hours of driving through the back roads of Texas, I finally arrived in Tyler. I was famished and very eager to take a deep look into this historical and gorgeous town located in East Texas just off of Interstate 20. I had a full itinerary and was already behind because of evil road construction. My contact Holli Conley, the Marketing and Communications Manager had gone overboard to be helpful and ensure a fantastic trip was had by yours truly. She suggested a taco at the local food truck, located at the Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum for the Azalea activies weekends. I jumped at the chance.

Curbside Taco Truck

I wasn’t disappointed and had a truly delicious quick bite. They make their tacos from corn tortillas, in the manner I like! Now to run through the Goodman Museum. The house was originally built in 1859 and was a one story four room building located on the highest knoll in Tyler. After several owners and expansions, it became the property of Dr. Samuel Adams Goodman from South Carolina originally. The Doctor’s son, a Confederate Major and general surgeon purchased the home from his father, upon his marriage to Mary Priscilla Gaston. They had three children Sallie, Will and Etta Goodman. The second story was added in 1880. Sallie married James LeGrand in 1893. After her father’s death in 1921 Sallie inherited the house. Mr. LeGrand and Sallie remodeled the home in 1926. Two story columns and rounded porticos were added to the facade in the Greek Revival style, which is how the house looks today. Upon her death in 1939 Sallie bequeathed the nine acres and the house with all the furnishings to the city of Tyler.

Entry to Goodman Museum

I entered the Museum and was completely blown away. If you don’t know it, I love antique furnishings and handmade acutrements. I immediately was confronted by the sitting room to the left and was impressed with the fashion the house was maintained.

Sitting Room

On the left was a wonderful piano, that I would have given my little toe to play on. Hint I can’t really play the piano, but love the way the keys sound. It was such an ornate musical intrument I wouldn’t have really touched it, regardless.

Antique Piano

I went across the entry way and saw this fireplace. Had to take a photo, in fact I think I took over 100 photos of the museum. The fireplace attracted my attention as it reminded me of some of the gas heaters I had a child growing up in Texas.

Antique Gas Fireplace

I turned left and what a dining room table. It was set for what looks like six patrons. There were so many beautiful dining items, between the flatware, the plates, both salad and dinner, not to mention the serving pieces, I couldn’t soak it all in.

Goodman Dining Table

As most of my followers know I love to eat and I love to cook. I was in my area of the house! This old gas oven really brought home memories og my grandparents and what they used to go through, just to have a holiday meal. My paternal grandmother had a cellar filed with all her canned goods to last the winter. I would guess back in the day this house had a similar setup some where out of the way and in a cool damp area.

Antique Cooking Stove

What better way to relax than rocking back and forth in a handmade rocking chair. I know because I still have an antique rocking chair my grandfather made in the early twenties. Not too much longer and it wil be 100 years old. It’s heaven! This was obviously a piece of nice carpentry work, someone spent hours and hours on assembling.

Antique Rocking Chair

In another room, most likely an “Office” area, I found this wonderful roll top desk, very similar again to the one I have that my grandfather made. This one though has a pull out desktop for writing, etc. I love that additional feature. Next to it is a radio or Victrola.

Goodman Desk

On top of the firplace was a collection of statues resembling many periods in history. Everything from the Greco-Roman period, to a more recent Wild West young man dressed as if he was attending a roundup. I like the clock in the centerpiece and it was actually in operation, if my memory serves me correctly. That is about the time I would have been in the Museum.

Figurines on the Fireplace Mantel

Upstairs in the huge Master Bedroom was a crib with the baby’s nightgown off to the side. All apparent handmade clothing and a nice looking quilt that was more than likely handmade also! Don’t miss the woolen socks.

Baby’s Nightgown

The husbamd’s clothing standing below, ready to take and put on, was very ornate and intricately handsewn. I am sure this was a method or maintaining ironed clothing and keeping the wrinkles away. The headless mannequins were a little eerie to me though.

Men’s Attire

The wife’s clothing was laid out on the bed, with accompanying hat and purse. The other garments a true gentleman does not discuss in public!

Lady of the House’s Clothes Laid Out

Beside the Master bed were two chairs and they caught my eye, because one was a child’s size, made from bentwood and straw, weaved for the seat and back. It took many hours of love and labor to complete the chair. Beside is an adult’s chair, that wasn’t as complicated to construct, but I am sure served its purpose.

Adult and Child’s Chairs

Interestingly enough I found this antique wheelchair sitting in the hallway upstairs. Makes me wonder if someone had to use it for several years. The depression in the seating area indicates it was well worn and used frequently. Compare this piece of equipment with the more modern power wheelchairs of today. Although the entry-level power wheelchairs start around $1,000, remarkable progress has been made!

Antique Wheelchair

This bedroom belonged obviously to one of the daughter’s, but I am not entirely sure which young lady resided in this bedroom.

Female Child’s Bedroom

When I was a child and came across a bannister like this I would scoot down the rail and keep doing it over and over until I got in trouble. It’s the small joys in life you remember and this would have been one heck of a ride!

Magnificent Goodman Staircase

I left the museum and wondered over to a sitting area filled with benches and plants of all kinds. I would guess that the Goodman’s and the Legrand’s spent many an evening sitting in this garden and watching the sun go down. They maybe even had a toddy or two. Who knows for sure. I do know the museum is one of the highlights of my trip and when you visit Tyler you need to stop by and see the museum, even if you have a limited visit. I assure you that you will come away glad you did!

Goodman Garden

As I was leaving, I stopped by the desk to say thank you for the tour and I was fortunate to run into Mary Foster, who is the Museum curator. I told her she was doing a fantastic job and the museum in my humble opinion was outstanding. She was a very bubbly and outgoing young lady and you could tell, that even though hundreds of people were visiting that day, she was able to maintain her composure and smile at everyone. I was impressed with her multi-tasking performance, as she carried on no less than four different conversations with staff and visitors at the same time, all the time smiling. She is the backbone of the museum I believe and does a great job as curator.

***Portions of my stay were in association with the City of Tyler. All opinions, as always, are those of my own.