Do you recognize these books from Tyler, TX? “If it causes just one of you to go through life more thoughtfully, and with more consideration for others, then all the work and cost involved in its publication will have been fully justified. If it saves just one of you from a broken arm, or a smashed leg, or a mutilated hand; then it will have been worthwhile.” This introduction in the ...[Read More]
Tyler Star Safety Books
Website and Blog Updates – 2018-06-29
If you follow our blog and website, you will have noticed a new office manager, Carla Lacy, who started about several months ago. She replaced the departing Savannah Brantley Cortes, who has moved to the Dallas area. Savannah worked hard on preparing our newest exhibit about World War I and the removal of the old exhibits from the main exhibit space on the first floor. We know that she will do wel ...[Read More]
Down Town Tyler – Three Historic Buildings on College Avenue
There are three historic buildings in Down Town Tyler on College Avenue, and all within walking distance of each. SMITH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is located in one of these buildings. We invite you to come for a walk through our neighborhood! First, park your vehicle in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage at Broadway and Elm. Parking is Free. This beautiful parking garage opened in 2014. While it is not ...[Read More]
FUN AT THE MUSEUM
History Mystery Fun at the Museum – in Tyler, TX! Smith County Historical Society has a way of continuing the learning process children need through their Summer, Fall, and Winter breaks. Fun At The Museum Studies show that student’s achievement scores decline over summer break. This decline is referred to as Summer Learning Loss. In response to this issue, the Smith County Histor ...[Read More]
Brothers Meet on WW1 French Battlefield
Brothers Meet on French Battlefield Extracts from a World War 1 letter from Lieut. Charles N. McClendon to his father in which he tells of meeting his brother, Lieut. S. S. McClendon, Jr., on the Western Battle front in France: Oct. 23rd, 1918 “Dear Father: “I received your “beaucoup letters from home. You can imagine how greatly I appreciated them. The letters from you I carried to Sidney as he ...[Read More]
Charles Newcomb McClendon – WW1 Servicemen Sponsorship 2018
Charles Newcomb McClendon – WW1 Servicemen Sponsorship 2018 Sponsored by Daye Collins Life Before WW1 When Charles Newcomb McClendon was born on September 2, 1892, in Tyler, Texas, his father, Sidney Smith McClendon, was 27 and his mother, Annie Rebecca (Bonner) McClendon, was 24. He was the second child born of nine children. He married Norma McClendon on December 12, 1916, in Morris Coun ...[Read More]
Joseph Favre Baldwin – WW1 Servicemen Sponsorships 2018
Joseph Favre Baldwin (1892–1918) Sponsored by Wanda Barber and Tiffany Wright Life Before WW1 Joseph Favre Baldwin was born on August 3, 1892, in Tyler, Texas. His father, Aaron, a doctor and his mother, Clara, a concert pianist. He had one brother, Fredrick. He attended Tyler High School. He was a senior Medical School student in 1915, attending Tulane Univer ...[Read More]
How far would a dollar stretch in 1860 Tyler?
How far would a dollar stretch in 1860 Tyler? First of all, did they have a dollar as we know it? Before the Civil War the only money used was gold and silver coins referred to as specie. In 1862 president Lincoln authorized congress to print currency. Foreign coins were widely circulated in the colonies. One of those was the Spanish dollar also known as pieces of eight. Silver and gold coins ...[Read More]
Joseph J “Holland” McKay – WW1 Servicemen Sponsorship 2018
Joseph J McKay (1886-1918) Sponsored by Wanda Barber Life Before WW1 When Joseph J “Holland” McKay was born in April 1886, his father, Samuel F. McKay, was 31 and his mother, Cordelia (Holland) McKay, was 24. He had two brothers and one sister. At the time of Joe’s enlistment in the Army in 1917, he was living in Goose Creek, Texas, which is in present day Baytown. Prior to enli ...[Read More]
Andrew Smith – WW1 Soldier
Andrew Smith – World War 1 Soldier Andrew Smith was born on October 4, 1894, in Linden, Texas. He registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 at Dangerfield, Texas. At that time, he was a Hotel porter in Omaha, Texas. He served overseas from August 22, 1918 through July 17, 1919 with Company C, 322nd Service Battalion. He was discharged on August 2, 1919. Andrew remained behind the lines most of t ...[Read More]