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

Tyler Commercial College

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 11, 2015

1. Tyler Commercial College Marker

Inscription. In 1894, C.L. and Noah Adair opened the Adair Normal School to provide a University-level education, but the school closed in 1896. In 1899, a charter was filed with the Secretary of State's office for Tyler Commercial College. The college used a vacant building, known as the Texas Fruit Palace, for classrooms. On April 1, 1904, Tyler Commercial College was incorporated with C.L. and Noah Adair, H.E. Byrne and F.A. Glenn as directors of the college. Henry Byrne came to Tyler as the creator of a form of shorthand known as Byrne shorthand and taught courses in transcribing, but also provided the majority of textbooks from his publishing facilities. In 1924, Byrne sold his shares of Tyler Commercial College and moved to Dallas where he continued his publishing company.

In March 1901, a diploma from Tyler Commercial College entitled holders to a teachers certificate. A fire destroyed the building in 1903 and the college moved to the west side of South College Street. The curriculum was expanded to include courses in the secretarial field, railroad courses, and, by 1931, Tyler Commercial College boasted a radio studio. Tyler Commercial College grew to be the largest commercial college in the nation. In April 1942 the first class of the Army Signal Corps school detachment began with Major Virgil Caldwell Commanding Officer and John

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Sheppard Instructor and the first group of men began training in radio communications which was in great demand during World War II. In April 1957, the Rutherford Metropolitan School of Business in Dallas purchased Tyler Commercial College and the college moved to South Broadway, remaining in operation until 1980. Tyler Commercial College represented a shift from agricultural education to business education.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17351.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 32° 21.007′ N, 95° 18.106′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is on South College Avenue south of West Erwin Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 S College Ave, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tyler Carnegie Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Gov. Richard B. Hubbard (within shouting distance of this marker); Senator Thomas Glover Pollard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tyler Commercial College (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 11, 2015

2. Tyler Commercial College Marker

The marker is at the site of the building, which was razed in 1968.

Tyler Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tyler Civic Theatre Center (about 300 feet away); Christ Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away); City of Tyler (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

Tyler Commercial College Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown photographer, circa 1910

3. Tyler Commercial College Building

The new (c.1910) Tyler Commercial College building with its arched third floor windows was a good example of the Chicago School Architecture style. The size of the building reflected the school's large enrollment.
Photograph courtesy of the Smith County Historical Society - Archives Collection, 125 S. College, Tyler, Texas

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,693 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. 3. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.