Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Yarbrough Building

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 6, 2015

1. The Yarbrough Building Marker

Inscription. George H. Yarbrough (1826-99) came to Tyler from Alabama in 1854, and entered into partnership with Col. Alfred Ferguson in a general mercantile enterprise. About 1859, Yarbrough built this hand-made brick structure, the first 3-story edifice in Tyler.

In 1862, Yarbrough, W.S.N. Biscoe, and J.C. Short started the Tyler Ordnance Works, which was sold the next year to the Confederate States of America. This building was leased by the Confederacy for use as a cartridge factory.

In the early 1950s, the upper story was removed, and in 1965, the present facade added.

(addendum)
The Yarbrough Building, which once stood at this location, was razed in 1978.

Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7771.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 32° 21.108′ N, 95° 18.001′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is on East Ferguson Street west of North Spring Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located at the southeast corner of the Regions Bank Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 E Ferguson St, Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Camp Ford (a few steps from this marker); Camp Fannin (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith County as a 19th Century Legal Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. Bryan Marsh (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Smith County C.S.A. / Tyler-Smith County C.S.A. Men and Units (about 400 feet away); Thomas R. Bonner (about 400 feet away); Arthur "Dooley" Wilson (about 400 feet away); The First County Agricultural Extension Agent (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

Regarding Yarbrough Building. At the time the building was razed, a number of different caliber lead bullets were found that had dropped between the floors. Production records for the Tyler Ordnance Works exist, and it was possible to match the bullets with the production records. With the exception of a .54 Sharps bullet, at least one of each type of ball was found.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 6, 2015

2. The Yarbrough Building Marker

The Yarbrough Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown photographer, circa Circa 1900

3. The Yarbrough Building

The Yarbrough building is shown at the far right in this circa 1900 photograph. The view is to the northeast and the image was made from the top of the Smith County Courthouse. Image Courtesy of the Smith County Historical Society Archives Collection, 125 S. College, Tyler, Texas 75701

Yarbrough Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 26, 2023

4. Yarbrough Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 827 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. 4. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.